Antique/vintage machines

[lourixe]

I've been amazed by Bonnie Hunter's interest in old sewing machines. I've searched this forum and found a thread about treadles.

This comes from one of my great-aunts. The serial number tells it is from 1924. It is a hand crank, probably the Singer 28 model. The bobbin case looks like a pen (I think it's called a shuttle?) It's full of dirt and spiderwebs, but it must have been oiled to death as the weel still rotates smoothly and all the parts seem to move properly (haven't tried to put a needle and thread it yet, so I don't know if it actually SEWS).
Do you think it is worth the pain and money to have it restaured for use? Do you know if the parts could be found?
Thanks for any advice or comment about your experience in rescuing vintage machines.

[Lisapc]

Time to bump it up!

[easyquilts]

I don't have any information for you, but I'm sure someone will chime in soon.

I have been watching Quilt Cam, and following Bonnie's blog. As a result, I have begun to be interested in the vintage machines. They are fascinating....

I hope you will be able to get your lovely old girl up and running... Wouldn't that be gun?

[K. McEuen]

Sandy Navas does a lot of her own restoration work on the old machines. Hopefully she will see this thread.

[Doloris]

Search Results - Quilting Board
this forum is really into the old machines. just search restoration, or vintage, and you will find lots of info here.

[Sandy Navas]

Yes, yes, and yes. What a wonderful find.

Yes, it can easily be cleaned and made to look better. You will never be able to completely restore it to it's natural pristine state as it has some rust and other damage apparent in the picture.

Clean all the dirt and grime off, get those spider webs and other outlaws out, and then use a light wax or polish on the surface to make it shine. I have used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get grime off some old machines and it works really well without destroying the finish. Something like a stainless steel cleaner (even though this is NOT stainless steel) will help clean it, also. Missing pieces can be found - if you will send me the serial number I'll track down a manual and put you on the right path for parts.

Will you ever be able to sew on it? Maybe, maybe not. BUT I would venture to say you probably can get it working to the point that you could at least do one project on it and say you did. If nothing more, you will have a showpiece for your sewing room when you are finished - and a story to go with it.

The most difficult thing with the bullet shuttle and bobbin is loading it properly. I don't see a bobbin winder on this machine, and don't know enough about this Model to tell whether or not it should have one.

Now, before you do anything else, give her a name (perhaps your Aunt's name), give her a cleansing bath (get a couple old toothbrushes and put them to use, don't be afraid of a little soap and water either), and then make her shine. Send me the serial number, too.

[lourixe]

Oh, my! Another fantastic new world is being opened to me: vintage machines! Thank you for your help and your infectious enthousiasm!

I've just had lunch with my aunt and godmother. She is 74 and remembers working on this machine as a kid an teenager, as she was raised by this great-aunt of mine (her own aunt and godmother) that owned it. This lady had been a young widow without kids, her husband had been an ambulant tailor in the early 20th century, carrying this machine on his head! When he died (maybe in the Spanish Civil War, I really don't know) the widow took the machine, needles, and threads left and opened a tiny but prosperous notions store, and called her niece (my aunt) to her side to keep her company.

When this old great-aunt died, her personal belongings went to my grandparents', and this is how I came to the posession of this antique.

That's been a long explanation, so that you know why I'm calling her Veva after the old lady (aunt Genoveva). The serial number is Y-1923923.

There is another machine, similar age, that had belonged to another great-aunt, that I must chase now. It is a treadle, ALFA brand (Spanish clone of Singer's), but as it uses regular bobbins, my mother lent it to a community center for their sewing lessons. I know they don't use it anymore as they received lately more recent machines. Hope they didn't throw the old one away!

[Claire Hallman]

Cool, I remember sewing on my Grandmother's machine until 1970 when I got a new machine for my birthday. It had that type of bobbin, long and skinny in a bullet shaped casing. It worked just fine, wish I knew what happened to it.

[lourixe]

Two more pics with close-up and first diagnosis.
For what I know, this machine was carried many years in sun, rain, and snow. Maybe it was some kind of wrapped in oil cloth or so, but I don't expect the decals to recover as new. My aunt recalls it did sew very well, and she has had many machines since! Just hoping...

[lourixe]

Search Results - Quilting Board
this forum is really into the old machines. just search restoration, or vintage, and you will find lots of info here.

This looks like another amazing forum! Many thanks! I'm going to learn a lot. I'm spending the evening with some friends: one is a vintage car freak (he is restauring two that are older than me!). I might get advice as to lubricants, metal polishers, etc.