Today, I'm featuring my Singer Model 128 Hand Crank. I love the bentwood case. The latch on the case is actually a lock, so I had to buy a key, which is hanging on that ribbon so that I don't lose it (my sewing room is notorious for eating small things and spitting them out at the oddest moments).
According to the serial number, she was made in 1913. And, she's been well loved. The decals on her bed are not in the best shape. But, I intend to love her some more, so that doesn't matter to me.
Here is her hand-crank. If she just wasn't so heavy, I could put her in my lap and sew on road trips.
The plate at the end and the back plate were both filthy, but a little 409 cleaner and a lot of elbow grease and I got them clean. But, it took me a while to realize they weren't supposed to be shiny and I'd gotten them as clean as I was going to. She was missing the front slide plate, so I ordered one. But it wouldn't fit with the needle plate, so I ordered one. But it wouldn't fit with the feed dog, so I ordered one. And, including shipping, I've spent as much money replacing parts as I did on the machine. You can see here where the decals on the bed are worn away.
She's been cleaned and scrubbed and has had a lubricating that would be the envy of any machine. She makes a great stitch. Now, it's time to get that quarter inch piecing foot on her and give her a quilt of her own to work on.
She doesn't have a name. Not because I can't think of one. But, because the one I've thought of isn't a very good tribute. Aline (pr. Aleene). That's my maternal grandmother's name and well, she was kind of "cranky"...and this machine is cranky...so, naturally, the mind wanders......
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Okay, on to a more serious note. I haven't gotten the chance to do this often, but I want to show you a quilt that someone else made. I've included a link to the top before, but now Patricia has finished it and you just have to see it if you appreciate a beautiful quilt. Here's the link to Patricia's Cottage Garden quilt. She's submitting it for a show and I do so hope she wins!!!
Take care and have a great Vintage Thingies Thursday. Now that you've looked at Patricia's quilt (and I'm sure you have...haven't you?) head on over to Suzanne's and check out all the vintage items that are linked from her post. Lane
16 comments:
That's amazing--two handcrank sewing machines in one week and I had never seen even one before. How about naming her "Amazing Grace."
You really have a great vintage machine. It is very different and I have not seen one like it. You better hang on to it.
Love these old sewing machines, and how you have lovingly restored her. I like the Amazing Grace name Postcardy suggested and for short you can always call her "Grace"
I love your machine, and thanks for the link to the quilt, I have seen this before....I think via your blog, but the finished quilt is simply amazing...something will be wrong if this does not win best of show!!! Have a great VTT!
Great job restoring the Singer-- she really has been loved, the decal wear is all on the leading edge where the fabric passes on it way to the needle.
My Singer 221 looked like she had only been used once or twice and then stuck in a closet. She was made in 1955, so I have a lot of lost time to make up to her. My touch and sew had the same profile-- no wear on the gears or trim. But I've had it for twenty years now and it's been loved a lot. Now if I can only find a 301 or a 99-13...
That looks like a real gem of a handcrank machine. She looks like she's ready to be made useful again. Aline--I love the name with the "cranky" connotation!
A BEAUTY!! I bet she has stories to tell :)
Blessings!
Gail
Thanks for sharing Lane. I wish I had a hand crank or treadle machine. Happy VTT.
Thanks so much for sharing this - I'd never seen a hand crank sewing machine before! What a beauty!
Happy VTT!
Sally
Oh... Lane! you know the way to my heart is with a vintage sewing machine. While watching documentaries in third world countries I noticed that hand cranks are used more often than treadles. Folks put them on the ground crank out clothing. it really is amazing. I vote for naming her Amazing Aline. So what if she is cranky.
I marvel at your patience Lane. I got toey trying to thread my grandmothers machine let alone working on it like you do on yours. This cranky machine of yours is a beauty.
And yes I did go to Patricia's blog because I am obedient, and her quilts are works of art!
Thanks Lane.
Patricia
All I could think of, Lane, while reading about your much loved Singer was "The Velveteen Rabbit." Barb H
OH your vintage sewing machine is gorgeous too! I really love the golden scroll artwork on these old beauties! Thanks for sharing it with us!
I love your Singer. I have a toy version that was handed down to me in 1965. Actually I have a photo of it on my sidebar. I sewed so many doll clothes with it. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, I just got a Singer 128 23 and the throat and back plate were loose, just sitting on top. I know there's a way to put them in correctly but I'm having trouble finding info on the web. I'm hoping you can help. thank you!
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