Sewing Machines Then and Now

I was recently preparing an inventory for my sewing room, and making a list of things that should go to various family members when I go to the Church Triumphant.  It was a very interesting exercise!!

Through several moves over the past 20 years I've done what we call tossing the stash, but I've never really bothered to do a full inventory of my craft stash.  Everyone should do this for purposes of insurance coverage - believe me when I tell you that no insurance company is going to reimburse you for the loss of all your stuff without an inventory, because no average or even extra-smart insurance adjuster is going to believe the amount of stuff you have without proof, or  acknowledge its considerable worth!!

Interestingly I am the owner of not one but two Singer treadle machines from the first decade of the 20th century, which qualifies them both as antiques.  One has a serial number that indicates it was made in 1910 and the other in 1911.  They look very similar, although there are some subtle differences.

The decals are slightly different, and one machine shows more wear than the other.  They supposedly both belonged to my husband's grandmother on his mother's side, but there is no paperwork and why would a woman have purchased two so similar machines back in the day, when the family was not wealthy enough to justify that...

This is Miss 1910.

 

The cabinets are nearly identical, including the broken spot on the center drawer.  The drawer itself is rather flimsy and probably any amount of pulling would have caused the back to come loose.  I'd consider that a design flaw so it probably happened to lots of cabinets.

The one thing that stood out as different was the design on the access cover.  The machines all have an access hole on the back to allow for maintenance, and one of mine has a gear and wreath kind of design.  It has the same type of stylized flower motif on the decal.  The decal on the base of the machine is not as worn as the other one.  It has been rubbed off but is still visible.

1910   1911

The other machine has a fancier decal on the head, but the one on the base of the machine is nearly worn off.  You can see where the edges were, but the middle is gone.  This machine was well used.

Which is a litte weird considering that I didn't realize that anyone in his family sewed.  I suppose they  must have, but it wasn't anyone in my husband's generation.

This is Miss 1911.

The drawers of the cabinet look the same, although the one from 1911 is cleaner.  This is the one I've had the longest, so i know how often it's been cleaned and dusted.  The other one didn't arrive here until 2019.  

Last year I bought a Singer Featherweight that was made in 1952.  That qualifies it to be vintage but not antique.  It's a beauty, and so light (as the name implies) that it can be carried anywhere and makes a great machine to take to classes and retreats.  Not that we're doing that any time soon!  But it's been a lifelong wish of mine to own one, and when the opportunity arose I grabbed it up.

She's so cute, and so quiet.  I don't have very many accessories for any of these machines.  I had to order some additional bobbins for the treadles because there is only one in each machine, and if the zombie apocalypse comes and electricity goes out I'll need more!  There is a rolled hem foot and a ruffler foot for the Featherweight.

My new machines (purchased this century) are mostly Baby Locks (two sewing machines, one serger) and I also have a Brother embroidery machine, which doesn't get used enough.

Back to inventory... it took me an hour to count spools of thread, needles and cutting instruments.  Good thing I have no pressing engagements!  LOL!

Sew on...