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Monday, October 01, 2012

Look What Came Home!

When it Rains, it Pours!

Or when you open yourself up to bringing people into your life, those people can turn right around and bring you into theirs and leave you all the happier!

Such is the case that happened when I met Terri in my class at the Bluegrass Quilt festival.
We started talking about things we had in common.  And you know, us Quilters --- we have LOADS in common!

And then she popped the question ---
As in “I have a ((Fill in the blank)) that needs a good home.  Would you be interested??”

It’s a good thing it wasn’t a puppy or a kitten because I would have had a hard time saying no, but I would have had to. As it stood…..

If I show you THIS photo…can you guess what it is?

I’m sure you already know….but aren’t you the least bit curious to see just a bit MORE?  Okay – how bout THIS peek?

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Precious cargo gets tucked in with a quilt and a bag full of class room supplies making sure she is secure!

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If I show you THIS ----are you gasping and cheering yet??  And Terri, I’m sorry I took the photo without dusting off the dust and spider webs from the foot pedal! LOL!  We’ll call it early decorating for Halloween.  If the saying goes that “A rolling stone gathers no moss”  it stands to reason that “A rocking treadle gathers no webs!”  But I spent last week cleaning them off my long unused treadle base here in the basement, so I’m not worried about them!

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If I show you THIS --- will you jump up and down with me?

I checked the Singer Website’s dating chart  and according to the serial number, this baby was made in 1893.  Holy MOLY.  And are you looking at those decals?

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How about this glimpse? :cD

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And this one!  Forget me knots on the belt guard!

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This is the back side --- are you excited now?

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The front side!

She is nearly perfect in every way.  Her movement was a bit stiff, but Terri said she’d had her a long long time and hadn’t used her ---so I knew that was going to take a bit of work.

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We also discovered that the take-up lever had been snapped off.  Here's the broken off part taped to the face plate for safe keeping.  This worried me a bit, but I also had on my mind a spare parts machine that was waiting at home.  It had to my memory ---the same kind of take-up lever arrangement, and I crossed my fingers all the way home.  ((Dear Ila, your gifted old beat up machine has been worth its weight in gold for salvageable parts that keep other machines running!  Thank you thank you thank you!))

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Close inspection of the parts machine and the part from the new machine showed that they “LOOKED” like they were the same part and would be interchangeable.  It took a lot of oil and some WD-40 to get the frozen up parts machine to let loose of the much-needed lever, and pretty soon DH was in on the act too.

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Here they are!  The broken one ---and the replacement one from the parts machine.

The center holes where the big screw goes through was the only thing differing in size slightly --- see the newer one has a slightly bigger hole, but the screw head from the parts machine was also bigger to fit it!  A lot of monkeying and we replaced both the broken lever and the screw with the replacement lever and screw ---and wonder of wonders --- it went up and down like it was supposed to!

From that point on I began to clean and oil.  And when I felt everything was moving free and easy, I put the machine head into the treadle table.  It was time to see how it worked with the belt.  The belt was in fine shape, but slipping a lot and it was too loose to run the bobbin winder for sure– so we shortened it by 1/4”, drilled a new hole into the end and replaced the staple.  Tested it again….great!
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Grainy picture, but it was taken by phone at night!

Would you believe the shuttle bobbin had THREAD on it?  I had no idea if the thread was any good still, but I was just going to sew on test scraps, so I changed the needle, threaded the machine….brought up the bobbin thread, and prayed!

IT SEWS!!  I only had to monkey with the tension just a bit and I think it’s only because the aurifil thread I put on top is a finer weight thread ----There is still a squeak in the moving parts of the foot pedal itself, I’ve oiled, but there is a determined squeak in there that will have to be dealt with.

1893?!??  I’m too tired to find out what model of machine this is.  I need a manual.  I need to know how to work this bobbin winder.  I have a couple extra long bobbins that came with it.  I just haven’t seen a winder wind this way.  The belt evidently goes in the little wheel thing to turn it to fill the bobbins. 

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Another grainy picture.

This pic is for Terri, to  show her where her machine now resides!  I’m just THRILLED.  It’s right off the dining room, and I can see myself here this winter watching TV with the family while I treadle away.

1893.  She needs a name.  And I’m feeling brain dead.  DH’s grandmother was born in the 1890s.  Her name was Hannah.  She gave me my first cardboard quilting templates for a churn dash block ((before rotary cutters!))  when DH and I had only been married a year.   She was a quilter through and through.  And maybe, just maybe – I name this machine after her.  She lived until she was 104.  I think she would have gotten a huge kick out of the direction quilting has lead my life too.

Come New Years and 2013, this machine will be 120 years old.

And it is sewing for me to beat the band.  AWESOME!

98 comments:

  1. Are the flowers really decals? In the photo they look like they're handpainted! 8-)

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  2. What a STUNNING Lady!Her flowers look hand painted though like a proper lass. Oh, how I would love to see her work. You are one lucky woman Bonnie!

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  3. Oh, Bonnie, what a thrill!!! The machine is gorgeous, you must be ecstatic!! Your friend has blessed you with a magnificent find. Yes, Hannah would be a lovely name for such a beautiful machine. Love the flowers. Have a wonderful time with her.
    Faye in Maine

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  4. Beautiful! Congratulations, and I think Hannah is a great name for her. I have never seen the floral pattern. Enjoy!!

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  5. Anonymous7:33 AM EDT

    Wow! What a beauty of a machine!!! She is certainly pretty. And the fact that you got you to sew is amazing!

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  6. WOW! Just Beautiful! What a treasured gift to receive. This was worth getting up early for!

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  7. wow, what a beauty !!
    Hannah is a great name for her, or you could name her after the flowers painted on the machine ? Wildroses ?
    so good for her to have found you !

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  8. OMG - what a beauty - lucky you!!

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  9. What a gorgeous machine! Don't you wish that manufacturers would go back to putting as much detail into today's machines as they did 120 years ago?

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  10. Wow! She is beautiful! I think the name Hannah would be a great name for her, but I am partial to it as it's my granddaughters name.

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  11. Bonnie, I have a machine that looks very similar. The case is exactly the same. I have the manual- a copy, not the original- and can send it along when it all comes out of storage.

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  12. What a gorgeous machine! I've never seen one with that pattern. I still cant get mine to work- I've oiled the machine part, it turns beautifully, but the actual treadle pedal seems to be the problem. Is there a way to disassemble that bit? I'm sure there must be, but I love my machine so much, I'm afraid to hurt it (which, I know, is difficult with all that metal- but I'm also afraid if I get it apart, I won't get it back together!).

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  13. Oh Bonnie! You must name her Hannah as she is a beautiful machine and grandmother by marriage was a quilter. You will keep this machine in a place of honor in your life and heart. What a great sharing moment you gave us to start a new month and week in our lives. Thank you!

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  14. Bonnie - I'm sure I'm one of many who checked out that serial number to see how old, etc. This model info might help you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Model_27_and_127

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  15. She is absolutely gorgeous! The decals are amazing and I'm so glad to hear you got it running again!

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  16. Wow, the machine is beautiful and I think Hannah is a great name for her!

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  17. What a gorgeous machine. I was thinking look at the beautiful dogwoods while others saw the white flowers as wood roses. This almost makes me want a treadle. Hum, that might be a good idea for keeping moving every day!

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  18. What a beautiful machine you got!

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  19. OMG that is one beauty! I would have taken her too! As I was looking at the pictures I was thinking where I would put that beauty in my house! LOL it is too gorgeous, the fact that you got her up and sewwing that quickly is fabulous!

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  20. She's beautiful!!!! I just bought an Ideal hand crank yesterday and spent the whole day trying to get her up and sewing. It turned out that she came with the wrong shuttle. I had to look at pictures online to learn how to wind a bobbin. I wish I could find out more about her and a manual. Aren't vintage machines so much fun! My husband says that you're a bad influence. Hehehe.

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  21. She is just beautiful! Love the flower decalls. And Hannah is a beautiful name for her.

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  22. Congratulations! I have a treadle that is of a similar age and winds a bobbin the same way. I'll look at my manual today to see if it has directions on how to wind a bobbin. If it does I'll email you a copy.

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  23. Bonnie, what a beautiful machine. I remember my grandmother had a treadle machine, and I used to love to sit on the floor and push the pedal. (I'm sure I wasn't supposed to do that!) Do you think my love of sewing and quilting was fed by that? Hannah is a beautiful name for her! (Of course, I'm prejudiced, as we have a beautiful granddaughter named Hannah. She's a little gymnast, and she's always moving, has strong muscles, and is so limber--just like your new treadle. Glad you're back home. Your neighbor in Welcome.

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  24. What a lucky lucky girl you are. Good thing you had Shamu and it wasn't a flying trip or you never would have gotten her home!

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  25. Bonnie this is the most beautiful treadle head that I have ever seen. It must have been painted for something special. Hope you can find something out about Hannah. A good old name. What a lucky gal you are. Better have some special company over for dinner and keep the lid off to show off all the flowers.

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  26. Beautiful gift!!! OMG...Maybe now you will have enough machines??? VBG Congrats!

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  27. Wow, what a lovely thing to happen. Both the giver and the receiver must just be filled with gladness and happiness. That machine will touch so many lives. I bet you will pet it every time you walk by. Ahhhh, the stories it must have. Thanks for sharing!

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  28. Anonymous9:03 AM EDT

    OH WOW... what can I say but YOU ARE BLESSED! Terri must think alo of YOU bonnie. She as shared a treasure with you.

    Give good, and goos will always come back to you. PROVEN HERE!
    Smiles
    JulieinTN

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  29. What a beautiful machine. I love the decals. A very special gift.
    Thanks for showing her to us. I can't wait to see you sewing on her!

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  30. Bonnie, I think Hannah is the perfect name :). Between her age and your family history it is meant to be. She is stunning!
    And besides, my newly adopted granddaughters name is Hannah. My Son and Daughter in love named her after Hannah in the Bible and Hannahs family history (being barren- my DIL identifies with her :() But our beautiful little Hannah is a true blessing and gift to our family.
    Just as your new addition is a blessed gift.

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  31. The white flowers look more like dogwood blossoms to me than roses. Note the notched edges in the white petals. Hannah is a wonderful name.

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  32. Oh, I'm dyin' of envy here! No kidding. That is the most beautiful treadle machine I've ever seen. I adore treadle machines, learned to sew on one passed down from my grandmother. Don't have one now and I mourn that fact. I love my Pfaff, but still would love a treadle machine.

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  33. That is one gorgeous machine - I love the decals. There a manual available for free download on the ISMACS site, but the bobbin winder mechanism is shown in a slightly higher location than on your machine.
    http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/127-128.pdf

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  34. OMG! She is gorgeous! I love it! You know the decal colors would make a lovely quilt! :-)

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  35. She is georgous! I thought the flowers looked handpainted...and looked like dogwood blossoms too.

    I think her name should be Terri!

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  36. Great sewing machine!! Popular names of 1893: http://www.babycenter.com/popularBabyNames.htm?year=1893
    Funny, the top two names are John and Mary--my husband's and my names!

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  37. Great sewing machine!! Popular names of 1893: http://www.babycenter.com/popularBabyNames.htm?year=1893
    Funny, the top two names are John and Mary--my husband's and my names!

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  38. It sure was your lucky day! It's beautiful. Congratulations.

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  39. Wow, they don't build them like that anymore! She's beautiful and I think Hannah is the perfect name for her.

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  40. What a beautiful piece of history and the name Hannah is very fitting. I have never seen such beautiful decals on a machine. They are gorgeous. It is fantastic that you and DH got her working again. Have many wonderful hours of sewing with Hannah.

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  41. Wow! She's a Beauty, Bonnie! What a lovely gift! She has a good home and will be enjoyed for a long time to come! Thanks for sharing. I think the name Hannah is ideal! Have a great day!

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  42. What an absolutely awesome machine!!

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  43. Oh.My.Gosh!! This is incredible, Bonnie. What an amazing machine--and what a very generous gift!
    You deserve it, that is for sure.

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  44. That is very beautiful! Terry picked a good home for her machiNE!

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  45. Anonymous10:37 AM EDT

    What a well chosen gift for you, Bonnie. Your lovely Hannah is back to work bringing joy to you and thousands of others. I'm very happy for you!

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  46. My grandmother was born around that time and her name was Goldie Frnaces. Congrats on your lovely gift! I am so happy for you!

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  47. WoW!!!! What a wonderful way to break up your long drive home!!!!
    ME WANTS IT!!!!!!!
    I am happy you got it Bonnie, you deserve it!

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  48. FUN! FUN! FUN! How exciting to receive something so special! You SO deserve it. I am sure it brought such joy to Terri to be able to give it to you knowing how much you will love and appreciate it. Thanks for sharing your joy! Happy sewing :)

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  49. Blessings for many hours on Hannah. :)

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  50. What a beauty! I know you'll have fun with her.

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  51. Wow, she's beautiful!

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  52. Simply beautiful - and all the things she will tell you about her life untill now, great!

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  53. The craftsmanship is incredible, I highly doubt that a machine from today would be operational in 120 years.
    This is quite a treasure indeed, Congratulations! :)

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  54. Except for the decals (mine are different and pretty worn) your machine and cabinet look like my 127VS from 1889. Have fun with her. I can't get my tension adjusted. I'm not very good with the long bobbin machines. I'm better with the round bobbins. What a lovely machine! Congratulations! I'm drooling from here (I promise to wipe the screen before I publish this comment). ; )

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  55. So awesome and beautiful. I love living vicariously through you! You are very blessed!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  56. OMGawd! Will you look at those perfect decals!!! Wow, what a beauty!
    It's a model 27 and here's the manual: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/0673/

    How's the knee room on that one? Better I bet! Congrats, Bonnie!!!

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  57. Anonymous11:43 AM EDT

    Oh, what a lovely old machine! And you have the cornflower decals in such amazing condition? If you ever need to find out what model Singer you have, you can check out this link: http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm. From what I can tell, it is either a 27 or a 28, depending on the size of the machine bed.

    Enjoy your beautiful new machine!

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  58. WOW! I can't believe your LUCK! She's a Beauty for sure. You could have teased us a bit more with it's bigger than a Bread Box... I was gasping at the sight of the decals! Now you have me wanting a Treadle. 1893 is a long time ago. My Grandpa was 10 then. He lived to the ripe old age of 88.

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  59. WOW! Wow for the generous gift, wow for the decals, wow for the decals (they deserved a repeat!), wow for the magnificent machine, wow for the cabinet, wow for Bonnie, who couldn't wait to caress and clean and bring her back to working condition even though she was tired after a long, working trip. Just wow, wow, wow.

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  60. This is gorgeous! She looks like a Hannah (love the forget-me-nots!!! What a wonderful generous thing this lovely woman did. I think theed leaving had many happy stitching years left in her, hope so (sew!)

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  61. This is a thing of beauty, I can't believe the decals are so georgous. It must have been put away in a good place Congratulations.

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  62. What a beauty! Hannah is so lucky she got to come home to you. What other quilter in the world, except Bonnie Hunter, would have a "spare parts" treadle machine at home? She is a true beauty. Enjoy your sewing!

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  63. WOW ~ Hannah is absolutely beautiful! I'm sure this wonderful gift will be treasured and she'll bring much joy into your life. ♥

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  64. I learned to sew on a treadle machine similar to that one. The bobbin winder was in the same place and you tilt it forward so that it comes against the belt to wind the bobbin. The machine is still at my brothers. Maybe I'll have to ask him if I can check it out...and maybe bring it home with me...LOL

    Happy sewing on Hannah!

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  65. Sweet! Nice job on bringing it back to full-speed so quickly, and a pat on the back to Terri for giving up this baby to a person who will love and care for it and make it useful again!!!

    What a great way to start the week!

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  66. Hi Bonnie,
    Your new machine is beautiful, love the decals. Your bobbin winder runs off the treadle belt; the bobbin winder on my New Home treadle works the same. Donna Kohler has a Youtube video that shows how to wind a long bobbin.
    Sharon
    purpy102@hotmail.com

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  67. Wowza, what a beautiful machine! and cant wait to see you on QuiltCam with her running. Hannah is a great name, but what about Terri? I would love to see if I could do a treadle some time. Enjoy!!

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  68. Hannah is the PERFECT name for her ... she's a BEAUTY!!

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  69. What a beautiful machine!! Hope Hannah has found a place in your heart, as well as your home. You deserve the best. I have learned so much from you!
    You are the best ever!!

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  70. Wow, she is a beauty! I've had a treadle cabinet forever, and I just found out my sister has a machine inside her cabinet (I thought it was empty) so I'm going over there today with the hopes that it will fit mine. You have started a new addiction for me - a Featherweight earlier this year, and now a treadle! Thanks ;o)

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  71. Hi Bonnie, What a lovely machine. Her decorations look more like handpainting than decals. I hope the name "Hannah" sticks. That was my grandmother's name as well and I'm pretty sure I get my sewing skills from her. I remember she had a treadle machine in the backroom that I loved playing with as a child. Hope this new machine brings you much happiness.

    It's nice to know that there are still some old beauties like Hannah the Singer to be found.

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  72. It's a Singer VS3. I have one just like it. Dogwood decals. These models came out before the 27/127 models. DI IN TN; TN TREADLER

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  73. It's a Singer VS3. I have one just like it. Dogwood decals. These models came out before the 27/127 models. DI IN TN; TN TREADLER

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  74. Everything old is new again! You are so inspirational on so many levels Bonnie! I say Hannah is a great name! (My niece's name is Hannah!)

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  75. Wow! I've been thinking about a treadle machine, too. Maybe there is one in my future. :-)

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  76. Anonymous2:17 PM EDT

    She is a beauty... love the flowers all over her. Hannah is a lovely name for a lovely machine! Aren't quilters wonderful! And I saw the lovely fabric's too.... oh, bye the way... thanks soo much for the tip on how to put the hole in the belt! I would never have thought to use a drill. We have a store in Brigham City... not terribly far away from us that does repairs/parts for all sorts of machine... including treadles... So I'm excited to try it out this winter! Soon as I get all my canning done!
    djcogdill@q.com

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  77. Beautiful machine and lovely name. I didn't realize they ever came with all the floral art work. You very nearly inspire me to try the treadle my DH got for me about 10 years ago. At least I'm thinking of what is in the cabinet sometimes and not just how to decorate the top of it!

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  78. What a lovely machine and friend! She is definitely a beauty. I too think that the name Hannah is quit fitting. I'm sure that you will think of Terri every time you are sitting watching TV with your family and treadling along.

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  79. As always one gets rewarded for being a good person.
    What a great gift!
    And to have it upstairs for any "quiet" machine piecing will only bring your family closer together.
    XOXOXO Subee

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  80. Good for you Bonnie. She's a beauty. If your Ila is my Ila, aren't we lucky to have her!!

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  81. Johanna is my daughter's name, named after my great grandmother, and we call her Hanna, so of course, I think naming this machine Hannah is a very fine idea, indeed!

    That machine is absolutely gorgeous! I wouldn't even want to cover it up, it's so pretty, but I know you have to to keep the dust off of it.

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  82. OMG! That is an awesome looking machine! That it is so old and in such good condition is amazing! How wonderful that people took the time to care for it over the years.

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  83. Bonnie, measure how long the bed is...If it is 14 to 15 inches long, you have a 27 but if the bed is 12 to 13 inches long, you have a 28.
    Here is the page I found the info on:
    http://stores.ebay.com/Sandman-Collectibles/Singer-Identification-Template.html

    and here is a free pdf of the manual:
    http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/manuals/127-128-3.pdf

    Did she come with the wooden puzzle box with the attachments? I have a 127 and my instruction book for the attachments is in old German.

    She is a true beauty and I love the name Hannah.
    Anna in IL

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  84. You are so lucky! When does it stop!? It would be so grand to be gifted a machine like that. I love her!

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  85. Wow! She is a Beauty!!! Hannah fits her just right!

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  86. OMG! Such a beautiful machine! Love her decals....what a lovely gift from Terri...a treasure, for sure! Hannah is a great name!! Congrats!!

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  87. A truly beautiful machine. Awesome!

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  88. Gorgeous treadle! Sew happy for you!!! It's just amazing how people connect and share ideas and their loves of the same things! Congratulations!!!

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  89. I love your treadle! What a beautiful lady she is!
    I have four treadle sewing machines myself and they are my pride and joys!
    Enjoy and have a lot of fun with her!

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  90. You are a rewarded and lucky woman, you!

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  91. love the pictures of your new machine but loved the story about DH's grandmother more. 104, WOW.

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  92. What a stunning machine! I am green with envy! :)

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  93. What a great machine. Love Love the flowers.

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  94. although Hannah is a lovely name, i think you should name her Teresa...just saying...lovely machine, and lovely gift!

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  95. Treva Putman6:01 AM EDT

    You certainly have a beauty there. And I am SO envious. I know you will treat her with great care and respect. She has found a wonderful new home.

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