Sewing Machine Obsession!

Mary Beth picked me up at DFW yesterday afternoon and we discussed our plans for my time her over lunch at Panera.

Two things I love from Panera ---Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, and the Autumn Squash soup!  YUMMY!

Mary Beth had emailed me earlier in the week, with an offer to stop by Jan’s house and visit her sewing machine collection.

Would I like to go?

Did she even have to ASK!?

Of course I wanted to go!  It’s a lot of fun to talk to someone who has the same penchant for these old vintage beauties that I do.

There is something so exciting about seeing a treadle stand with a bonnet hiding the machine underneath ---

We lifted the lid to reveal a Wheeler Wilson #8!

This is such a fun machine to sew on ---it reminds me of clocks and watches that had “see through” covers so that you could watch all the inner workings as the clock ticked.  All of the moving parts on this machine are exposed, so you see the arms moving and doing their job to make each stitch.  Fascinating!  This machine dates from the 1880s.

Jan loves to collect the ones that are a bit harder to find than “regular” Singers.  This one is really rare:

Wheeler Wilson “Half Pint”!

I had never seen one of these before!  It’s about the size of a featherweight ---and was made to be either hand cranked as shown – or if you look closely, you will see a groove between the right side of the base and the machine ---

This little guy could sit atop a treadle base and be treadled as well!  I was all agog over this sweet machine!

The coveted Singer model 12!

I believe this is 1880s also --- but look at those glorious decals!  The fiddle base shape is so graceful!

Not sure which model this is – 128? 

I had not seen these decals close up and in person before – and they are lovely!

Davis Vertical Feed!

The Vertical Feed machines are very sought after – they have no feed dogs.  The foot is a walking foot, and iot was cool to sew on it and see that foot do it’s thing!

I have a Davis at home – just a regular vibrating shuttle model, but still searching for a needle bar clamp for it – it is an odd size, and all of the spare parts I’ve found so far do not fit. I’ll keep looking!

White!  I love the curly-q thread tensioner on top!

The arm says White SMC  for Sewing Machine Company.

Isn’t that cameo on the bed pretty??

Lovely Damascus in a gorgeous tiger oak parlour cabinet!

Damascus is made by National – just like my Betsy Ross up at the Cabin.

Same crazy threading and weird tension system!  We had a good giggle about that!

Fiddle base singer –I don’t remember model number on this one!  Sweet!

This silhouette is distinctly NEW HOME!

Cute little cabinet and a great pedal with NEW HOME in bold letters!

AHHHHHHH!!!  A 66 with Lotus Decals!  STILL on my bucket list!

Beloved Red Eye!

Red Eye 66 machines are not rare by any means – they were made by the many thousands, but the decals were such a favorite, and are so beautifully distinctive that no collection is complete with out a Red Eye machine!

We had a wonderful visit, and I’ll be seeing Jan again in my class today --- I am MOST excited to introduce her to Allison who is also a vintage machine nut.  I’m almost scared of what will happen when I put these two in the same room ---but I have a feeling it is going to be marvelous!

And with that, I better throw myself together and get myself breakfasted and ready to head out!  26 students in a Blue Ridge Beauty workshop today, followed by a lecture tonight.  It’s going to be a busy day in Granbuiry, Texas!

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