Pennsylvania Prep!

I’m doing some tuning and testing, and some decision making on what I really want to rehome so other quilters can enjoy the machines in my collection.

I’ve whittled down the herd, driving trip by driving trip, and my shelves are looking just a bit bare!

My passion really is the “unsung heros” of the 1950s era.

I love the Japanese imports and all of their crazy paint colors and atomic body shapes and stylings.

This 1950s Household was found in Georgia, and its paint is a delightfully unusual copper, with the upper part being a cross between a dark charcoal and forest green – sparkly metallic of the day, of course!

And the chrome.  Don’t forget the chrome.

These “Badged” machines came with all different sorts of names, but in this case the name that meant the most to me is the name of the original owner, still found on the paperwork inside.

You can read the story of this machine HERE.

And, oh, yes - the tooth extraction didn't happen yesterday.  After a CT Scan, it was determined that there is sufficient margin of bone to do the extraction and bone graft all in one appointment instead of two, which means I only need to be numbed up once.  August 14th is now the date.

5 more weeks of broken tooth - but that left me the time and energy to tackle this trip prep yesterday without a sore mouth.  Works for me!

Singer 404!

I love the 404s!  If you are just getting started with vintage machines, it is impossible to go wrong with this model.  It’s straight stitch only, and because the bobbin loads from the front, it also has a front facing needle.  So very easy!  The lever on the right side of the base is to drop feed dogs for free motion or darning. 

It’s got the same inner workings of the 301, and a very sleek updated body style and 2 tone paint job.  I’ve got two of these.  I really only need one.

1941 99k with crinkle “godzilla” finish.

Such a contrast!

It’s all “modern” with the crinkle finish, but check out the gorgeous face plate on this girl! 

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Jul 5, 2017 at 3:13pm PDT

This machine has been living in my guest room upstairs but no one is sewing on her!  She needs a home where she can be used.

This one comes with a cabinet. 

At some point in time, someone painted this cabinet to match the nursery!  It’s got cute decals on 3 sides.

It’s easy to find the 3/4 size 99k in a “portable” carry case – at 35 lbs! I don’t often come across cabinets for the 99 machines.

Oh the fence with this one!

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Jul 5, 2017 at 5:51pm PDT

This "New National" dates from 1890 and was made by the New Home Sewing Machine Company.  It’s not in pristine condition – someone sewed and sewed on this until the decals and finish were chipping off.  But what do you expect for a machine that has reached 127 years in age?

The threading action!

I got her sewing last night, after winding a bobbin, sweet as can be and I just think I need to keep her for a little while longer.

I likely shouldn’t be posting about these ahead of time, because already through facebook posts my inbox is flooding with inquiries from folks who want the machines.  I’m teaching over 2 back to back weekends, and it is likely that the machines won’t still be around for those in group 2.  It’s GOT to be first come, first served.  The less fuss the better.  Thank you for understanding.

Moving these machines on to new owners will free up my conscience to adopt new machines and give them a chance at an extended happy life as well.

On a not so happy note:

Oh dear.  Water leak.

As I went down to the basement where the machines are this morning, my feet squished into the industrial carpet tiles.  WATER!

Not a lot of water, but enough that the carpet had a definite darker ring where water had seeped…..since when?  It was dry last evening when I was moving machines back and forth.  So sometime during the night then?  Possibly.

All I had to say was “Water in the basement!” and both Father and Son were down here locating the source and breaking through the drywall to get to it.  There is a joint that is leaking.

A plumber has been called.  If he can’t come today, he’ll be here tomorrow. There will be some rug-doctoring of the carpet. The dehumidifier is running.

And I’m grateful.  This didn’t happen while we were at the cabin. (Though it could have been leaking for a while?) This didn’t happen while we are on a long trip to Utah at the end of the month where I'm teaching for a week after spending time at a family reunion.

It can always be worse.  So much worse.  No fabric was damaged (but the bottom of a roll of batting got damp) No machines got wet – they are up on shelves.  We caught this in time.

The van is already nearly packed for my trip.  The one thing I can’t do is get a shower or do laundry so this may be when I “phone a friend” tonight!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

I had already chosen this quote before I discovered the water leak. I do believe these little thoughts of the day help in ways that I can’t explain.  Instead of being upset over a wet carpet and a roll of wet batting, I have so much to appreciate about discovering this early.

I can appreciate that my son is an expert at dry-walling and we will get this fixed better than it was before.

Attitude is EVERYTHING.

Even without a shower.

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

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