My New Machine!

Church rummage sales hold many surprises!

I had never expected to walk in and see this little gem sitting not 10 feet from the door. 

How it had not gotten snapped up in the first 20 minutes of the sale I don’t know.  I left Candace to stand guard over it while I went to find someone to get more information on it and whether the price of $50.00 was negotiable.  I couldn’t get much more information on it, but I was able to negotiate the price.  Candace had about six people move in for closer looks while she was on guard and it didn’t take us long to get the SOLD sticker put on it.  Even then there were quite a number of people stopping and looking at it.

 

This is the information on the throat plate which shows that the most recent patent on it was in 1887.

 

And I’m assuming that this is the model/serial number?  I’ve been to the Singer website and cannot locate a number that looks like this for those patent years, so I’ll have to keep doing some research.  I love the colorful decals and the design on it . . . it’s easy to see that it was a machine that was well used in the past – hopefully for quilting!

Of course I have no idea if it works . . . the lady I spoke to didn’t think so . . . but really . . . would I ever use it?  The belt mechanism is all behind that door on the right and everything turns quite nicely when you step on the foot piece, so that’s good enough for me.

 

Ah, but the sewing machine is only part of the purchase!  Look at this cabinet . . . the detail is fabulous – I love these old pieces.  Why can’t we build things like this in this day and age?  All our fancy new tools that are out there now-a-days, and this kind of piece, if made today, would cost beyond most of our budgets.  How long would it have taken a craftsman to complete a cabinet like this with the tools that were available to him back then?  It’s kinda sad that the selling price for a piece like this is so low . . . I, for one, appreciate the quality and time that were put into making this and I hope to treasure it for many years.

 

The detail on the sides, back and front are in excellent condition . . . all the drawers work and the hardware is original.  The base of the whole cabinet is one complete piece of wood.  Now I just need to find a little nook for it . . . out of Randy’s sight preferably . . . he’s not as excited about it as I am . . . he’s convinced we have enough furniture and there is no room for anything new (or old).  Oh, well, it’s home now!

If you know of a place where I can get some more information, please let me know – I’d like to collect some history on it.

I have FINALLY finished this embroidery!  It seems to have taken years, but now hopefully, very soon, I’ll be able to move forward with the project.

This weekend is an all quilting weekend and once again I’ll be starting another new project – why don’t I ever learn?  All these new projects need to find happy endings some day and all those some days are getting further and further away.  Ah!  But I’m still having fun!

Here’s a shot of my little house with all the windows all neatly inserted.  As I expected, it is pretty plain and white so I will be printing off some black and white photos of this little “plain Jane” and drawing some appeal on those pages.  Shutters, window boxes, landscaping?  Ideas on this makeover would be appreciated!  Do you have any links to makeover sites or a picture that you think would work?  Send me your ideas!

Have a great day . . .

‘til next time,

M.