my new sewing machine

red · Post: # 65652Post **red** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:04 pm

works! yay. made a cushion cover today. I really love it. and the amazing thing is.... it has a number on it.. and looked it up on the singer website, and they very helpfully give dates for each number range.. and mine dates from 1892!! They really did make things to last back then eh? it's a joy to watch - lovely engineering.
So - given that my great grandmother was born in 1890 - this is the sort of machine women from my great-great grandmother's time would have used. Its really worn - the gold scroll work almost gone, and I just have to tthink of all the sewing it might have done,, the wedding dresses? curtains, uniforms..kids clothes. two world wars... mend and make do? and all I made was a cushion cover...still at least I made something- seems alot of these sewing machines get 'collected'.. then presumably just stored somewhere (should be used not stored grumble grumble)

here she is... with Ebster 'the cat who is not allowed on tables' supervising

Millie · Post: # 65654Post **Millie** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:16 pm

oooooooooooooooo

Thats gorgeous! I have no patience with sewing machines, always leave that to hubby to deal with. I envy you, would love to make pretty summer dresses for DD.

the.fee.fairy · Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:31 pm

Its beautiful...and so great that it still works!!

hamster · Post: # 65658Post **hamster** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:38 pm

But just think what a proud heritage your cushion cover is now part of!

Must admit I'm very jealous of your new acquisition. I'm scouring ebay for a treadle one, but they all seem to have been turned into pub tables. Singers are such beautiful machines, aren't they, and so well-made.

nessnco · Post: # 65659Post **nessnco** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:14 am

How hard was it to use - I'm in the process of buying one - getting it today.

Annpan · Post: # 65689Post **Annpan** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:45 am

Thats amazing red... its gorgeous and to think of all the people it has seen born, grow up, marry, die... quite thought provoking isn't it...

My sewing machine is a new brother model, but I do use it all the time so it makes me feel less guilty about it. I bought it new 5 years ago and I make clothes, upholsery, curtains and my own wedding dress, of which I was exceptionally proud... any way just thinking about the all the history in your machine makes me so jealous

wulf · Post: # 65694Post **wulf** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:59 am

We've got one of those, although I don't know if it is as old as yours.

It could well be working still in another hundred years if properly cared for; I suspect few newer appliances will be there to join it!

Wulf

Silver Ether · Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:01 pm

oh that is sew .... lovely .. notice the pun... I learnt to sew on that type of machine ... then moved on to a treadle version of the same ... before getting in touch with the leccy ones at school...

First a cushion cover... then a table runner ... then ....then... oh theres so much .... have fun

glenniedragon · Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:02 pm

That is a beaut! I remember my nan having one that rotated on a table somehow so it popped away into its cupboard, that you powered with a treadle. They really did build things to last, no cheap plastic cogs in there. Treasure it, but dont let it have a quiet retirement

kind thoughts
Deb

Silver Ether · Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:29 pm

glenniedragon wrote: I remember my nan having one that rotated on a table somehow so it popped away into its cupboard, that you powered with a treadle.
kind thoughts
Deb

oh gosh ... I forgot they did that and it looked like a table when not in use ... you had to watch your fingers though... you got it 2/3rd turned and it took over ...

Martin · Post: # 65720Post **Martin** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:15 pm

nice! - and I bet it runs "like a sewing machine" - really smooth and civilised!

red · Post: # 65730Post **red** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:57 pm

nessnco wrote:How hard was it to use - I'm in the process of buying one - getting it today.

really easy - but then I have done a fair bit of sewing on my electric one...
this model can only sew in straight lines - no zig zag no backwards... i kept trying to go backwards as it's how i usually 'tie off' sewing - by going backwards and forwards a bit to knot it.. but go backwards on the old one and you get a nasty bundle of cotton!

but the hand turning means the speed is really easy to control etc.

if you are new to sewing machines it might take a few attempts getting the hang of loading the bobbin or threading the machine - but you will get there. and I have seen you can download manuals on the old machines.

possum · Post: # 65735Post **possum** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:13 am

that really reminds me that I must get mine out of the box again. I have loads of sewing that I just haven't got round to finishing off - including a shirt for hubbie that I started, erm 3 years ago

pskipper · Post: # 65744Post **pskipper** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:07 am

Fantastic, anyone looking for the same model in wiltshire, one of the charity shops in Trowbridge has one for Â£9.99.

Eigon · Post: # 65785Post **Eigon** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:35 pm

I got my first sewing machine from a charity shop in Salisbury, near the cathedral, while I was on a coach holiday - so it had to live under the coach seat for the rest of the trip!
It was one with a handle, and I used it for years, until I finally gave it to Tools for Self Reliance to take out to Tanzania.

My present sewing machine is electric, but very basic, and I mostly make medieval and Viking costume at the moment for my historical re-enactment group. Fortunately for me, the 13thC didn't go in for fitted clothes very much, so everything can be loose and flowing - though I'm rather proud of my bliaut, the sort of medieval dress with 'angel sleeves', made entirely from squares and rectangles so that none of the precious silk would be wasted (mine's linen, so a bit further down the social scale).