Maybe Mom would let you "use" the machine-? Doesn't appear that she is using it, so why hide it? (no offense) :)

Let me put it this way, she has the machines, fabric and all the supplies. She talks about it but I haven't seen her make one. She goes on the road with Dad (a long haul truck driver) and so she doesn't have time. So she let's me dig thru her stash when I am i looking for something.

That's what I keep saying. Mom would probably let me but Dad says no! And even at 42 I still respect them.

So I know she was built somewhere between April 10, 1900 and June 3, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio. If I have time today I'm gonna do research on her. I'm dying to know more about her.

CJ, I would start with calling White as they will give you a date. I wouldn't trust it though. It is a starting point and you can verify it. There are lots of pictures on the Needlebar site to compare to.

I have several but have not had time to do the research. I wait until I can get to cleaning them.

If you come across some good infomation sites I would love to have them.

I am sure if you can share with your parents what you have learned about it, that it will one day be yours.

I have a White Rotary Treadle that looks very much like that. It still works. Why won't they let you use it? As long as the machine is serviced properly, it should be fine. There's more damage being done to it from non-use because everything's locking up. (Plus it's not being loved, and we all know, our machine need to be loved!)

They don't realize things like that and I can't convince them otherwise.

My parents are just like that! Mom has a Singer Featherweight that she promised me I could have but Dad won't let her give it to me! I "borrowed" it when I lived in Maine and took it with me when I was doing nurses aide work. This 97 year old lady loved to watch me make quilts! I have sewn 6 quilts on it and just love that machine! Now mom has dementia and I'm not sure it will land in my hands after all! :( It just sits in their garage!
But you can't reason with them!

Billsgirl

Wow. It's so unfortunate that both your parents aren't at the place that realize how much more joy they would feel seeing you use the machines, than having them dust-covered and neglected. Plus using the gorgeous quilt you would indoubtedly make them! :) My sister and I were just like that with our parents, too. What my dad said - went! But after a lifetime of being "the kids," the power shifts and you become the 'parent'. Oddly enough, I think he was relieved to not have to be 'in charge' of everything. What that means to you is that they realize you know what you're doing, can make good decisions, and are not just out to get their 'stuff'. And that you will be good caretaker to their heirlooms (the sewing machine, for one), not just a kid who will break it!

I had to laugh at this. My mom was an Avon lady for 22 yrs. Not just an Avon lady but the top sales person in Illinois and 6 surrounding states. She won stuff all the time. Once she told me to pick what I wanted. I picked an apple shaped glass salad bowl with all the apple shaped serving dishes with it. When it came in and she tried to give it to me Dad said NO. He said, "You girls are taking everything your mom works so hard for." It was a standing joke between mom and I for years. Whenever she'd let me "Borrow" my bowl, dad would make sure I gave "Her" bowl back. Thank you for reminding me of a really good memory.

p.s. I have the set now that they're both gone but it was more enjoyable when my bowl lived at mom's house.