It's VTT again, I missed last week but I'm back on track for today.
I am fascinated by antique & vintage sewing machines-I have just four of them, so I am not a collector! I learned to sew on my Mum's Singer treadle circa 1940 & always thought that there is something very soothing about treadling. The stitch quality is hard to beat & these old machines sew forever with nothing but a drop or two of oil now & then, no mega dollar technician's tweaking for these babies!
My brother has my Mum's machine in Australia, & I had long wished for one of my own so I was excited when I found a beauty while "junking" during our time in Germany but it did not make the journey back to the USA because DH said it was too heavy to ship-not true but I fell for the line, these days I am much more assertive, lol !
A couple of years ago I saw this treasure on eBay & watched it for many days, no one bid on it so at the last minute I bid the reserve of $99.00 & won! Wow I was excited!
Packing, shipping & insurance cost $145.00 but I figured it was still a good deal it came all the way from Mass.
Imagine my disappointment when the machine was delivered with considerable damage to both the cabinet & the support structure of the machine head the result of completely inadequate packaging. I submitted the insurance request & the machine was "totalled" & I was re-imbursed the full amount of purchase & shipping etc. I was informed by the shipping agent that if the shipping company did not reclaim the damaged machine within two weeks it would be mine to dispose of as I chose!
Obviously, I still have the machine, my handy DH was able to reinforce the damaged areas & when I threaded it, to my delight it sewed perfectly! This was the very first sample of the stitching, I did not even need to adjust the tension dial.
So here it is an early 1900's Light Running New home Parlor Cabinet. In my internet searches I have not seen another quite like it. I love the graceful curved front & the little curved cubbies inside the doors.
Obviously the oak cabinet could use some TLC & I have info. from
ISMACS on a solution to use to refurbish the wood this summer.
There is decorative molding on both sides of the cabinet......
and it even came with what looks like the original oil can!
A box full of attachments & the instruction book for each piece.
Tucks, ruffles & binding are just a few of the projects possible with these attachments & look at the beautiful results!
An elegant graduation dress.....
a very decorative negligee.....
a camisole.
I can't help but wonder about the beautiful gowns, children's clothing, undergarments, drapes & other household linens that were were constructed with this machine, I can see that it was well used from the wear marking on the wood & the machine bed.
Can you begin to imagine the time necessary to complete these projects? And before the invention of the home sewing machine it had to be done by hand! Whew! I am tired just thinking about it! Thanks for visiting, now pop on over to
Suzanne's blog to see all the others blogging for VTT.
I just had to add this little video-it's still snowing here, a real spring storm today, Button in her snowsuit cavorting in the snow!
