Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sewing Machine Salvation

I collect sewing machines!  I love sewing machines AND I love to sew!

About a week ago, I picked up a treadle sewing machine.  Unfortunately, the base was rusted and broken; and the cabinet was beyond repair.  I was able to save the machine head...



The decals are silver and some are missing.




The wheel could not/would not turn.




All I can say is...Yuck!





And, after a couple of days of cleaning, so far she looks like this...



She looks so much better!

A great site for information on your vintage sewing machine is ISMACS.  I found a little info on her:  Minnesota Model A - manufactured by Davis Sewing machines and sold thru Sears & Roebuck thru 1910.  The "Minnesota" was a vibrating shuttle model manufactured by the Goodrich Sewing Machine Co., of Chicago, Illinois.  Made at the company's Kankakee, IL plant.  This 1890s machine used a New Home type shuttle, a Domestic styled bobbin winder and resembles a National.






The wheel turns now!

With a little more cleaning and some new decals, she could look like new!  Treadle On was a great resource on how to clean and repair vintage machines!

Now, all I need is to find decals and 'how-to' put decals on a machine.  And, a treadle base and table.  I had fun learning how-to salvage a machine in 'this' condition.  This was my first attempt, to this extent...EVER!  I hope to get as good as some other vintage machine collector's who clean, repair and restore machines!

Have a Blessed New Year!

2 comments:

Nadia Marie said...

That is some machine, Stacy! I love your photos and that you were able to do as much as you did on a first attempt! Nice work! I am sure you will have it up and running in now time! Happy New Year! Love you! I mentioned you in my last blog post! Check it out!
xoxo-Nadia

Jocelyn said...

Wow! What a machine. And how great that you are working on restoring it. What do you think of all this cold weather we are having this week! It's been pretty miserable over here.