BoJangles

Well, after looking at my Davis in the daylight, I am not so concerned about loosing the 'DA' on the front. The whole machine looks new, shiny; and the dull patchy look where it was still dirty in some spots with nice shiny finish in other spots is gone. It is even and it shines!
There wasn't much of the decals left anyway; and, I don't like the dull spotty look like the finish is coming off in spots.

Nancy

kwendt

Post pictures!!!!! I wanna see!

BoJangles

[quote=vintagemotif]Monica, I have not found a dating site for the Free, but my machine had a newspaper clipping dated November 1913. The serial number on my machine is C83642. The patent numbers start with Feb 11, 02 and end May 20, 13. With the newspaper clipping, I think I can safely assume it is a 1913 machine.

Geeze, it doesn't make sense that your machine has the last patent date of 1911, but your serial number is in the 200 thousands while mine is in the 80 thousands? I know slide plates can be switched, so we have no way of knowing if that slide plate is the original one. But, unlike the Davis the serial number of my Free is on the actual machine bed like a Singer has theirs. I thought all the manufacturers used numbers in sequence to date the machines? Interesting.

Nancy

kwendt

[quote=BoJangles]Would someone over at Treadleon have some input on this? I know that when companies were bought out... the model numbers changed, even if the cast pieces were still badged with the old name (thinking of when Singer bought out N&W). ??? I don't know enough yet about all of that. But someone over at Treadleon would, I bet.

Glenn

Nancy, My grandmother taught me to quilt, knit, embroidery and crochet when I was in grade school. I lived with my grandparents for several years. I hated learning because I want to play ball with my friends. She made do needle work about an hour a day. She said even guys have to know how to mend and sew buttons. I am glad she did now. I have made my wife formal dresses to go to military balls and things. I do not make clothes now but do quilt and the needle work as stated above. Just something I have always done. I have posted things I have done in the past. You can search them if you want to see. Glenn

Crossstitcher

Here is our 128 machine with crinkle finish and black slide plates. We call her Vicky after the lady we bought her from. Today DH put a hand crank on her and I tried sewing and she sews like the champ that she is. First time I have ever hc in my life. Vicky is a 1951 model she had a motor but I think she will stay as a hc.

BoJangles

Wow, a grandmother after my own heart! We have 5 grandsons that all know how to sew because when they stay here, and it is too cold to go outside, I give them projects to sew! They all think it is really fun to get to sew. They have made reverse applique' pillows, placemats, felt leaf shaped fabric bowls for Thanksgiving decorations, book covers, curtains for their tree house Grampa built, fabric/quilted bags to put their clothes in, and 3 of them made a lap sized quilt! I too think the boys should know their way around a sewing machine because now a days most girls don't know how to sew on a button! LOL! Besides, this is my way of keeping the kids out of Grampa's hair. Plus it is easier on me than always having to clean up horses, saddle up, and take all of them riding everyday! I get a break!

Glenn, I am really impressed! Making formals for your wife! Wow, I guess I shouldn't be so impressed, though, as most of the best tailors were men!
Nancy

cherrybsixty

Nancy, and fashion designer's are mostly men. It's really their craft cuz they are really good at it. But, they think the same of us (ladies) when we go into their fun park (auto mechanics).

vintagemotif

Well, I don't know what machines you own or your reason for collecting. Do you sew with your machines? Do you own Singer treadle? If you don't want another treadle because of lack of room, then the Wheeler and Wilson can fit into another Singer cabinet (At least mine does). The Davis is a different story. Seems Davis machines only fit into Davis cabinets and some older Davis only fit into older Davis cabinets. The Davis Vertical Feeds are that way from what I have read. But then one can always do what Billy has done, and make a special top that has a generic cut out to hold machines that have a special form fitting frame ( I really like this method, a project for me in the future). Then you can rotate the machines. If you can't do this project may be there is some Eagle Scout or Boy Scout that can help you. If the Davis is a Vertical Feed, I would go with that just because it is a machine the operates differently from others. I'm fascinated by machines that operate differently. To me they are a piece of mechanical art. Which is why I went after the National Two Spools and the Davis New Vertical Feed machines, I wanted a part of mechanical art history to own and play with.

vintagemotif

Trish, I like your Vicki. Very pretty with the HC! Thanks for sharing.