New Addition to the Singer Slant Machine Collection

By now everyone should know that I am on a Vintage Sewing machine kick.  You can see all my treadle, vintage, and modern machines on my "Sewing Machines" tab at the top of my blog.

My first Singer Slant machine was the Rocketeer from my Sister in Law.  It is a 500A.  Then I, by chance, picked up the 401A at my local quilt shop.  

So to complete the series, I needed wanted to add a 301A.  The hunt was one.  I found this one on Ebay, and the seller had a price or make an offer.  So I made an offer, and they counter offered and I bought it.  It came with a lot of goodies, some of the accessories were not for this machine, so I suspect the original owner had a couple of machines and all the sewing accessories were thrown together with this machine.  I can use the other accessories on other vintage machines that I own, so there was no lose in that package.

This is the original picture from the Ebay ad.

Here she is all sorted out and straighten up.  

I was super excited with this machine, because it came with a suitcase to hold the machine and all the accessories that it came with, including a button hole attachment, a box full of feet, and a tray full of miscellaneous items a sewer would normally have in her box.

All of my slant machines are the tan colored ones.  Some of these models came in black, but since it all started out with a tan one, I kept the series the same color.  

I haven't had a chance to sew on it yet, as I am still using the 401A.  This one and the 500A, Rocketeer, will be winter projects of setting them up and using them for a few months each.  If they are anything like the 401A, they all should be a dream to use.

This one, the Singer 301A, is the big sister to the Featherweight.  They both use the same bobbin, which is different from the later models.  They thread from right to left, totally opposite of any other sewing machine.  It is just a little heavier than the Featherweight, and the end of the bed flips up for easy storage and carry.  It would make a nice machine to take and use at a class.

I think I am done for awhile.  No guarantees though, Sigh!!!!

Warmest...

Singer 401A

We all know how much I like vintage sewing machines.  So, I walked into a quilt shop (the one where I drop off my quilts to be long arm quilted) and spotted this beauty.

I was just so excited when I saw it I just asked how much, they said $50, and I said sold.   I picked it up this Friday, got it home and, oh dear, no power cord or foot pedal.  So, the hunt was on looking on eBay.  Lo and behold, I found the set, and original set no less  Whoop!  Whoop!  Placed the order, about $40, and surprise it was in yesterday's mail.  

I had hubby help me get it out of the cabinet, plugged in the power cord and the foot pedal, and it worked!  I was all smiles and giggles.  

Let me tell you a little bit about this machine.  It is in the same family as the Rocketeer that I posted about last fall. Both of these machines are called slant machines, as the bar that holds the sewing foot is slanted.  All other machine have a straight up and down bar to hold the feet.  The slanted bar allows you to see the fabric better as the needle does the sewing.

According to the serial number, the machine was made in 1957 at the Anderson, SC plant.  What is really nice about these two machines is, the cams that came with the Rocketeer will work in this machine, the feet are interchangeable, and both use a class 66 bobbin.

I had to mess with the tension a little, and the machine sews a beautiful seam.  So, I started working on the half-square triangles and the machine purrs like a kitten.  I will be using it for the next few months, as I put away the vintage White machine for awhile.

The pictures below are for the "Sewing Machine" page.

Gardening and Sewing - Hand and Hand

This time of year is picking up in the garden, my mom and I shelled peas this week, ended putting up about 9 quarts.  Doesn't sound like much, but when you are shelling them, it is a lot to get done.

The rest of the garden is planted, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and soon lots of peppers.  I have fenced off the chickens, so they can do some free ranging in the back yard.  They are happy campers.

This is under my needle for the last few days.  I finally got it back out to do the quilting myself.  

I am so close to being done, I have two corners and the border left to get done, but as always, something seems to pop up that take the front burner.

We went to a city in our fair State of Oregon, called Bend (supposedly it is in the top 10 best places to live in the whole United States).  It is a fairly small town, and they have three quilt shops.  So we stopped at one and they were holding a parking lot sale, where customers can rent a parking space and set up to sell their extra quilting stuff and fabric.  It is just awesome to attend.

This is the first thing I came across, a vintage toy Singer sewing machine.  It was made in the 50's and is so cool.  It has an on/off switch (no foot pedal) and no bobbin.  Simple and a nice addition to my vintage collection.

Then I moved on to another parking space and this quilter had a extra large bin of scraps with a free sign taped to it.  I asked if I could have all the scraps, because you know, I am still needing about 400 different fabrics to finish my cheddar bow ties.  To my surprise, she said take them all.  I bagged them up, two grocery bags full, and brought them home and sorted them out.  This is a pile that is being cut for the cheddar squares.

This is just the start of the pile I am going to be cutting out over the next couple of days.

And alas, the progress of my cheddars to date.  The bag in the back of the picture has 600 completed squares.  The bowl has about 250 so far.

Then yesterday, that new BOM I posted about here came in the mail yesterday.  It is block one and the initial flyer of the BOM.   

I better get going and get busy!

Warmest...

White / Green Featherweight

Well, I have acquired another Singer Featherweight sewing machine.  Supposedly these are rarer than the black Singer Featherweights.

While traveling the Oregon Coast from the California border to the Washington border, and shop hopping for the Quilt Run 101, my husband found this for sale at one of the quilt shops while I was looking at fabric.  He is such a dear, he knew I wanted a white/green one, but I had told him they were really rare, and I doubted we would even come across one to buy, much less at a cost we could our would spend.  

This quilt shop had a second partner that does upholstery and home decorating, but was wanting to retire and was selling off some of her goodies.  And one of them was this machine.  I dickered with her a little bit and we picked it up for what most black ones go for in price and walked out the door with it.

It came with the original green/white case, several feet three bobbins and the instruction book.  I plugged it in, threaded it, and did a sample stitch line and it sews perfectly!

The serial numbers on these are more difficult to find out the date that they were release for sale, but from what I can gather, this one came out in 1968.

It is also my understanding the white/green ones are better made, and have more durable parts.  One expert has this to say about them:

 Singer Featherweight machines were produced in black, beige/tan and  white/green (what the company called Pale Turquoise)

White/Green machines were produced only at Clydebank, Great Britain 

he fabric/rubber belt on White/Green machines does not break. In fact it  makes for a quieter and slightly-lighter machine

Repairmen did not like the White/ Green machine and spread rumours about  its unreliability. Not true. The reason it was not favoured in the trade was  that because of the belt the whole machine could not be dumped in cleaning  fluid as a quick and easy service option

It is not possible to accurately state the manufacturing date of any Singer

 Featherweight. Singer claims to be able to do this, but the information the  company gives out refers to the dates on which large batches of serial  numbers were released to the various factories. It's pretty safe to assume that  a particular machine was not made before its "birthdate" but it could have  been produced considerably later

So this makes my 10th sewing machine taking up residence in the house/sewing room.  Hmmmm...not sure if there will be any more?

Note:  I have updated my tab "Sewing Machines" with new pictures and written updates.

Warmest...

Hectic Life This Week

Life really has been busy this week.  Here is a recap:

I did manage to get these blocks for the Farmer's Wife 30's Sampler Sew Along.

This is so far, one of my favorites.

This one looks a bit confusing to me, probably my choice of fabrics.  The pink/red flower print was too big to use in such a small block.  I think overall though, it will blend in when the quilt is put together.

This had "Y" seams.  Doing it paper piecing.  "Y" paper piecing seams should be a four letter word!!!

This one reminds me of summer.  

Then I spent a couple of days getting my garden area ready for winter.  I spread two bales of hay along the paths between the raised beds, and covered my carrot and onions.  When I posted this on Facebook, I had a friend tell me to roll my hoses and drain the pipes.  It usually doesn't freeze until late December or January, and I still need water on for the chickens.  

Then towards the end of the week I had cataract surgery.  Yep, at age 55 I had to get this surgery.  It comes as a result of getting cobalt radiation when I was a child.  I am doing fine, and can see much better.  I am going to get the other eye done, as it won't be possible to do a prescription for glasses, and the other eye has the normal start of a cataract, so they will just go ahead and get it done in about 3 weeks. Definitely not my best photo, but wanted to capture the look right after surgery that day.  Smile!

Since moving my parents up here to live with us, I have been having my dad work on this sewing cabinet.  Remember when I posted about my Sister In Law gifting me the Singer Rocketeer?  And remember the old dingy varnish looking desk it came with, including the water rings and cigarette scars?  Well, Dad spent hours sanding off the old varnish, priming it, and then painting it a very light blush  rose color.  I also had him change out the drawer hardware with knobs and handles with pretty rose motifs.  What a transformation!!! I couldn't be more excited.  He did such a good job.

Well, onto another week of busyness and working on all kinds of projects.  

Warmest...

Vintage Machine Addiction

I am fairly certain, I have been bitten and now addicted in obtaining vintage sewing machines.  I have obtained another vintage machine, and the story goes like so:

My SIL was at my parents house when I bought this vintage machine.

Upon explaining why I wanted to own an older vintage machine, she asked, very causally, would I like her Grandmother's sewing machine.  I off-handly said sure and didn't think much about it.

I have been sewing on this machine for about 5 weeks and just love how it sews.  Of course, then I just had to start following a couple of groups on Facebook regarding vintage non-singer machines, Featherweight machines, and Vintage Singer Machines.  (hope the FB links work, if not just type in these titles in the search part of your FB page.)  Reading all the FB posts about vintage machines, just moved me to appreciate these solid metal work horses!

I really didn't give my SIL's offer much creedence, as it was just said in passing.  Move along 5 weeks later when I come back to my parents house to do the actual moving of them to my home, my SIL again asks if I was serious about taking her Grandmother's machine.  This time, though, she said it was a "really old" singer, and I might not want it.  I again said sure, I would find a place for it and would love to have it.  I asked her if she knew the model, and she said no, but would take pictures and send them to me to look at, and then I could really commit or not in taking the machine, as then she tells me that it is in a big table/desk case.  At this point,  my excitement is growing and I am getting more curious by the minute.

Today, I got a text from my SIL and it had pictures.  I started to look at the first picture, and my heart started beating hard, and I am saying to myself, "Can it really be what I think it is going to be?  Please, please, please let it be what I think it is going to be..."  BAM!  There it was, big as day, a Singer 500A.  I could not believe my eyes.

Can you believe it?  Yes, it is the model that the sewing community calls the rocketeer.  It is one of the most coveted models (in good working condition of course) in the quilting world.  And check out the cabinet that comes with it.  A nice solid piece of furniture.  

My SIL tells me that she remembers her Grandma always sewing on it, and knew it was in good working order the last time she had seen it working.

See there, Model 500A!  

UPDATE:

My SIL sent a new picture of all the attachments:

I am astonished, as it has all the original feet, cams, buttonholer, manual, and the case that holds it all. Look at that oval pink case that holds the buttonholer!!  It's a case that has the same shape as the head of the machine.  Most of the time these little things get lost in the shuffle from the many years and owners it goes through until it lands in a safe place.  I am still pinching myself over the package deal it am going to end up with in my home!

It is going on the moving truck and on it's way to my house!  Whoo!! Hoo!!

When I told my SIL how excited I was about the machine and its model number, she was excited in return because she is glad that someone was going to enjoy having it and possibly putting it to use.

Yep, that would be me!

If you want some nightly reading, or more interested in this model, this blog post is most informative about this particular model.

Warmest...

New Featherweight Sewing Machine

I was out of town a couple of months ago, and my husband sent me a picture of this:

Then asked if I wanted it?  Wanted it? Of course I wanted it, I have been wanting a Featherweight for years.  On top of that it came with bobbins, extra feet original manual, original lube tube and original oil can.  Then, it also came with the original tray that fits in the original box.  I was jubilant!   

These are the pictures he took and then texted me when he got it home.  Believe it or not he found it at a gun and knife show.  Yep you heard right a gun and knife show.  It's not the first time we have seen one at these shows.  The featherweights in the past though have been totally out of my price range of over $400.  My husband picked this one up for $300.  

According to this expert web site regarding Featherweights, this serial number means that this machine was produced and released for sale on April 22, 1947.  It is not possible to accurately state the manufacturing date of any Singer Featherweight. Singer claims to be able to do this, but the information the  company gives out refers to the dates on which large batches of serial  numbers were released to the various factories. It's pretty safe to assume that  a particular machine was not made before its "birthdate" but it could have  been produced considerably later.  They made 20,000 of them that year. It is amazing to me on just how many they made the whole time they were making the Featherweight, when they are so rare today???  

One of the biggest problems with the old "suitcase" boxes is they stink.  And when I say stink, I mean stink!!!  Apparently the boxes and it's lining were glued with old fashioned glue.  This old fashioned glue is made from animal hooves.  Over time this natural animal hoof glue decomposes and starts to stink.  I researched and researched over the web to see if there was a way to get this stink gone permanently.  I used this method to try to get the stink out.  Basically it uses a 150 watt light bulb to burn off the smell (kinda like baking it out in the sun) for 8 hours.  

So 8 hours I did, and yes the stink was downgraded to just a smell.  Still not a pleasant smell, but not a stink.  It was recommend that one might have to do this procedure more than once.  So when I get back in town I will be doing it again.  I have also placed a shaved bar of dial soap in the box while I wait to try the the light bulb again.

I did get a minute to see how well it sews, and it purred like a kitten, but it wasn't threaded, so I don't know what kind of a seam it will be sewing.  When I get back home and get my parents settled, I will be working on bringing the machine out and seeing how well it sews.  Supposedly, Featherweight owners name their machines, usually old fashioned names like Beatrice, so I will have to think about a name.   I'll  have more pictures then too!

Warmest...

Addition to My Sewing Room

I have wanted a treadle sewing machine for, since forever.  When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a pioneer woman, born in the prior century.  Since then, I know how hard life was then, and wouldn't really like to have been born then.  Leftover, from that line of thinking though, I have always wanted a singer treadle sewing machine.  Up until now, I either couldn't afford one, or didn't have a space to have one.  I now have space for one in my sewing room, and my husband shelled out the bucks for this one.  And, you are not going to believe where I found it either!  At the gun show we were doing this weekend!  Yep, at the gun show!  There is another seller there that always has older guns and usually a Singer Featherweight for sale.  I guess he finds old broken ones, cleans and fixes them up and brings one with him with his guns.  So I asked him if he had any Singer Treadle machines, and no he didn't, but a gentleman had just stopped and talked to him about his recently deceased wife's treadle machine.  So, this Featherweight guy hooked me up with the Treadle Machine guy, and ta da!

So enough talk, here are the pics.....

This is the drawer full of attachments and feet!