New Machines

I've really been trying to put myself on a sewing machine diet, but, it isn't working. 

On Monday, I was trimming my Clue #5 blocks from the Sapphire Star mystery, and decided to take a short break, after trimming half the blocks. 

I headed to the computer to check my email.  Another onion (Treadle On member) that I've known for several years had sent me an email, asking if I knew of how she could find new homes for some of her treadles.  Was I interested?  Did I know of anyone who might be interested?  I told her that I had plenty of treadles and wasn't interested, but I'd try to help her.  (See, I said 'NO' first). 

Judy sent me pictures of the treadles she was trying to sell.  Oh My Goodness!  She was trying to sell a lovely White in a parlor cabinet, and a Singer in a Drawing Room cabinet.  I've wanted a Drawing Room cabinet for YEARS now.  I'd had a chance at one earlier this summer, then the lady backed out.  Her hubby decided that she needed to keep that cabinet after all.  :(

I asked Judy how much she wanted for the treadles (hoping that it would be way above any price that I could afford).  Nope, she mentioned a terrific price for the pair.  SOLD! 

I've wanted a Drawing Room cabinet for years now.  I'd passed one up, not long after I started collecting vintage machines, and I've regretted it ever since.  Well, I have one now!  When you see the pictures, you'll understand why this cabinet is so special. 

The Drawing Room cabinet came with a 1919 Singer 115 sewing machine.  The presser foot had been taken off, to be used in another machine.  Judy called it a 'parts' machine.  So far, the only part missing is the presser bar.  I can take one of those off one of my 'parts' machines in the basement.  This machine turns so nicely, and is clean and well oiled, with lovely Tiffany decals.  It looks very much like the Singer 15 hand crank that is my main machine (at the moment). 

1919 Singer 115

lovely decals all over

missing presser bar should be where the red chopstick is

There are some attachments that came with this machine, too.  Two of them are pretty bent up, but, I can bend them back in place, I think.

Singer attachments

Now for the lovely Drawing Room Cabinet.

Singer Drawing Room Cabinet No. 32 Embossed

Swoon!  The next pictures will show the different doors open, and inside the cabinet. 

with side doors open, showing the drawers and the treadle irons

with the front center doors open

with the front and back doors open

side door open showing the treadle irons

back of Drawing Room cabinet (doors closed)

with the machine

One of the cool features of this kind of cabinet is that the machine goes down into the cabinet.  It doesn't fold over, like in most cabinets, you push the machine down, and, using hydraulics, it goes down.  There is a small button on the front of the cabinet, and you hold the machine with one hand, and push the button with the other hand, and the machine pops up.  (make sure to keep your fingers out of the way).  The last photo shows the machine sitting down inside the cabinet.

machine sitting down inside the cabinet

See why I love this style cabinet???  This cabinet is now the first machine you see when you come in my front door.  Poor Victor has been moved out of his spot of honor.  Don't worry, I'm keeping Victor and his cabinet. 

I can put almost any of my full size Singer machines in this cabinet.  They may have to take turns.


Remember that I said I got TWO machines.  The other machine is a White VS (vibrating shuttle) VI in a parlor cabinet. 

1903 White VS VI #1399942

look at the lovely decals on this machine

The White also came with some accessories. 

box of accessories and a few extras

I also got several bobbins, and lots of needles.  Did you notice the 2 business cards in the picture?  Take a closer look.  See the phone number in the top right corner of the bottom card? 

business cards that were with the bobbins and needles

When was the last time you saw a phone number like that?  I was a kid when those numbers were used (and only in rural areas at that time). 

Now for pictures of this lovely parlor cabinet.

White parlor cabinet

open, with the machine

showing the drawers built into the doors

top of closed cabinet

detailed embossing on side of cabinet

Even the back of this parlor cabinet is decorated.  They included vent holes, for air.  The vent holes in this cabinet are in the shape of hearts.

see the vent holes on the back?

up close

See why I couldn't resist either of these treadles?  Monday, the 13th, was my LUCKY day!