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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Too many sewing machines...anyone else?  |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 06:56:56 AM
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So, this week my DH finished my craft room *YAY*. The bad part? I can only fit 2 sewing machine cabinets in there...and I have, er, 6. And I think in all I have about 14 machines. I just can't say 'no' to old sewing machines. Luckily, he built a very thick shelf which holds 4 machine heads (currently has 3 early 1900s models up there). Sooooo, who needs a machine? LOL
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 08:06:00 AM
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Wow, that's quite a collection. Send photos!!!! I love old sewing machines. Maybe you can set them up on a heavy duty shelf like a plate rack?
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 08:33:38 AM
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I too have lots 9 total Love them all.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 09:06:36 AM
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Now you've got me surfing Etsy for vintage sewing machines.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 3:45:02 PM
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Yay, I'm not alone...lol.
Paula, I will make an official post on my blog very soon and I'll let you all know. It will be very picture heavy.
I have found a few machines off of Craigslist, a few at garage sales and flea markets, and a couple at Goodwill. As long as you know what parts will be needed to operate it, you should be in good working order. I ordered several obscure parts from a man online, and they all fit perfectly.
I wouldn't give over 50 bucks for most old machines, unless they are extremely rare or in perfect condition, and most are not. I have even had people give me 2 machines for 5 dollars! I regret paying forty dollars for one machine I have. It is from 1913, and the cabinet was in pretty bad condition. The head (machine) is okay, but nothing great. Still, it did have a lot of attachments, which are interesting, though they are a dime a dozen. Anyway, I paid the same amount for an 1897 machine in MUCH better condition. Often, you will see people price machines over a hundred dollars or more on Craiglist for a machine that is probably 'worth' around 20 bucks.
The good news is, is that most people do not want old sewing machines and there are TONS of them out there!
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2011 : 08:58:02 AM
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Doesn't that make you so mad??? And yes, auctioneers definitely do that. They do that here, and it's well known. I saw a nice little 'featherweight' Singer (no treadle) on Craigslist down here the other day. We still have my grandmother's. I have 2 treadles and a treadle base. I'd still say Craigslist is the best place to find them. I personally love the White machines. They are solidly built and run like a top! Singers were the most popular, by far, but there are many other machines that run well. The good thing about Singers is that you will have no problem finding parts. What a lot of people don't realize is that some of the very old machines require a certain type of needle which can be hard to find (would have to order them specially). So, you just need to be sure that the machine you select will take parts which are available today.
Needlebar.org is an EXCELLENT and helpful site which has helped me immensely. You do have to register to use the forums, but I have gotten so much help there. You will learn what a 'badged' machine is, and that is very important to know. Simply means that it was made by a sewing machine company for another company and given a name that the other company chose. For example, I have a 'Betsy Ross' machine. Says so right on the machine's decal. But the maker was actually National, a large manufacturer of quality sewing machines at the time.
anyhoo, I'll hush up now. LOL
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 10:33:30 AM
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Amanda I own 6 myself, with 4 others i'm trying to sell. I can't help collecting them either. the old machines are beautiful! My oldest one is an 1889 Singer model 27 treadle, and I am in LOVE with it! the machines are on my 'modern day laura' blog...in the sewing room section.
Would love to see pics of yours.
Juanita, you can find manytreadles on ebay..just type in..'vintage treadle sewing machines'.
Connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/- Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Blog
http://http://prairie-farm-herbs.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - naturemaiden on Oct 17 2011 10:34:30 AM |
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Debi Carr
True Blue Farmgirl
751 Posts
Debora
Centreville
Michigan
USA
751 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 5:51:31 PM
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I too love sewing machines ~ For a lot of years the only machine I had to sew on is a 1932 Singer. I love that machine and still use it from time to time along with the other 5 full size machines and 3 toy machines all in working order. I am always looking for more at yard sales , thrift shops and flea markets. I even have my children calling me every time they see one , that they think I might be intersted in. I am lucky that my husband turned over the basement for me to with as I please, I know I surely need the space.
Farmgirl Hugs to All!
Debora #1983 |
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njaw09
True Blue Farmgirl
397 Posts
Annie
NJ
USA
397 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 6:01:25 PM
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I own 1 industrial sewing machine (not sure of the brand), 2 portable sewing machines (Singer and Brothers) and 1 serger (Juki). I want to buy more but I have no space (I think that's the reason why it is stopping me).
Same here Debora...half of the basement is converted to a sewing room. |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 7:34:39 PM
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Lol, okay, so now I feel like a member of Sewing Machines Anonymous. Connie, I have some pics around, but I do need to make a blog post about all of the machines. I'll post it here when I do. I'll have to go and look at yours. I love, love, love, my old 1896 White, but I am not sure if the needle is correct. It has a vibrating shuttle, and I think it needs a certain needle type. Oh well.
My mother just got me a Singer SewEasy toy machine. Looks to be from the 1960s. It looks like my Singer 404, but in miniature. It makes a chain stitch and is so adorable. No pedal, just a little lever. We are going to replace the cord though...it is leaking some kind of funky mess (weird and probably dangerous, I'm sure), so for now, it's for decor only.
So today, I went into Goodwill and there's an old 1960s era Singer. I don't (!!!!!) need any more machines, but I was talking to my friend, who is a manager, and she said if I wanted it, she'd make me a heck of a deal. Man, I hate to see a good machine sit around. LOL!
I still need a serger, though. So that will make like...16 machines? Geez.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 04:19:40 AM
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Oh please post pics I sure would love to see them all too.
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 02:57:52 AM
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the hubby brought home another sewing machine...a 1916 New Home treadle....i'm working on it. Every machine he brings home i clean up and get it working. Then I sell them...unless i really want it for myself, LOL
Amanda, my 1889 singer treadle has a shuttle bobbin and i have a regular size 14 needle in it.
I'm trying to get an antique willcox and gibbs sewing machine- that would be the cherry in my collection!
connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Personal Blog
http://www.prairiefarmherbs.com/ -Herb Plants for the Home Garden
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -My Online Thrift Shop
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Edited by - naturemaiden on Oct 26 2011 03:00:28 AM |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 09:59:07 AM
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Connie, I haven't even started to clean that machine (!!!) so I think that's probably part of the problem. Shame on me! I loved the pics of your re-do's. Didn't you get that rust remover from Lee Valley?
I just want one good treadle and if I get this ol' gal going, I'll keep her. I have a 1913 White, but the cabinet is funky. I actually stripped it (yikes) because it looked like someone had shellacked the thing like 4 times! Lol. Plus, the veneer on the very tip top was junk, so I ripped that off and I'm going to just make this into something funky. Hey, why not?
Grace, I love Ernie and Poindexter, too (my naked neck/Showgirl chickens), but Poindexter is now known as Penelope! WHOOPS. Lol.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Missus Miranda
True Blue Farmgirl
285 Posts
Miranda
Thrall
TX
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 10:10:54 AM
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Howdy, ladies! New to the forum and this is my first post. I saw "too many sewing machines" and had to dive in. I am kicking myself to this day because I didn't take my future hubby's advice and go ahead and buy the sewing machine cabinet (AND MACHINE!) at a flea market in NE Texas when we were there. I didn't get a good look at it (Temptation, temptation, why you always mess with me?) but I believe it was from around the mid 30s to mid 40s. According to the seller, it still worked. At the time, I was living with Momma, who is still trying to get rid of stuff her Momma collected for decades. (Anyone love glassware?) and I knew she'd have a conniption fit. Even now, our trailer isn't all that big.
Y'all are gonna have a fit when I tell you how much they wanted.... Forty Bucks!!
I regret it, but maybe some day I will inheret one of Momma's old machines. She has a Singer, and I believe a National? One of them still has the treddle cabinet. |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2011 : 11:29:04 AM
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That is so cool! I love old sewing machines and I would love to get a treadle, but it's not in the budget right now and I don't know if we really have space for it...
I'm just setting up my sewing room and I have 2 modern machines and my grandmothers old singer. I don't know anything about it, but I'm excited to use it!
~April
Playing in the Sonshine
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Missus Miranda
True Blue Farmgirl
285 Posts
Miranda
Thrall
TX
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 5:45:36 PM
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....how horrible would it be for me to ask Momma about her old machines? Haha! the more I think about it, the more I would love to use one of them.
My best girlfriend's hubby has an older, more industrial machine... I'd say from the 60s, looking at the finish. His father's family owned a dry cleaners in downtown Austin till about 4 years ago. She has a hard time threading it and asked me to show her. MEEP!! EXCITEMENT!!! 
Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Too many sewing machines...anyone else? |
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Too many sewing machines...anyone else?
