Featherweight Fanatics List Archives
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Featherweight Fanatics
Digest of postings from Sunday, September 26, 1999
Welcome to all our new members!
To post a message - send it to: FWFanatics@ttsw.com
To post a message to the For sale list - sent it to: FWForSale@ttsw.com
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From: PATBERGMAN@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 00:09:35 EDT
Subject: Victory after defeat
Dear All:
Last week I relayed my tale of frustration of the woman with the 328, who I
will call later and tell her that I decided not to wait, because today I
bought a 401 complete with buttonholer, zig-zag, manuals and as a bonus
"Smart Fashion Stitches by Singer (.10 cents) copyright 1950-1952 showing how
to do the Ornamental-Etching, Signature, Spark, Boucle, Cordonnet, Spiral,
Cable and Metallic Stitch.
The machine, set up with a wonderful knee controller is all wood the single
side desk model, with three drawers down one side. The stamp on the back of
the drawers is 1-06203
The cabinet has led a rough life, and will need some TLC, and all I know
about the machine is that it runs. I doubt if it has ever been cleaned from
the looks of the outside. There is rust on the bobbins, so I will really
have to check everything. It was kept in the laundry room.
The reason that I got the machine is because the lady was firm on her price,
and when I called Friday morning I indicated, as advised by someone on this
board, that I wanted the machine at that price, and left my name and phone
number. We are talking about a 16 mile drive through horrendous freeway
traffic, and I had to wait for my son's landcruiser, as I know it would not
fit in a Saturn, no how.
Several people who lived closer went over to see the machine, and tried to
dicker, but she waited for me till I could make arrangements to get over
there. I took one look at the machine and you never saw $30.00 come out of a
wallet so fast in your life.
Life is never all win-win. The cost for my Son to go pick it up was his
favorite dinner. Chris & Pits Bar-B-que baby back ribs@24.00. for family.
Tomorrow, I will be working on cleaning, servicing, and taking this baby for
a walk.
Arthritic knee's don't happy dance, but the heart does.
PatBergman
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From: "Delos Calkins"
Subject: Re: Singer Bobbins
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 08:18:49 -0700
Could someone tell me how many different round bobbins there are for Singer
machines? Not plastic, not shuttle type just round metal ones. Were they
all called "class ??" as in class 66 or? Thanks for any help. Lyn in Or.
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From: SWhita6apa@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:31:25 EDT
Subject: Singer Miniatures
On Sunday, Oct 3, in Kimberton, PA nine miniature (doll house size) Singers
are being auctioned along with other miniature furnishings. According to the
auctioneer's ad they are in mint condition. The auctioneer is Ron Rhoads ph
no. (610) 385-4818. The location is the Kimberton Fairgrounds, Rt 113,
Kimberton, PA and it starts at 10:00 am eastern time. He takes absentee
bids. He has a web page at www.echant.com. This is a catalogued auction. I
have no connection with this auction or auction house. I have bought from
them in the past. I thought that one of us might be interested in knowing
about these miniatures. I have a newspaper picture of these items and they
all seem to be treadles in various style cabinets.
Selma in PA
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From: AlexSussex@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:43:44 EDT
Subject: SHORT STORY FROM ALEX
Hi all,
I have a short story for you that I picked up a few weeks ago, with the
Millennium Calendar taking so much time I have only just been able to put it
down on paper for you all to read, I do hope you like it.
Louisa Janes was born in London just south of the river and in earshot of Bow
Bell's. They say if you are born within half a mile of Bow Bell's in the
centre of London or can hear their chimes then you can call yourself a
'Cockney'.' Always remember you are a Cockney' her mum used to say to her as
a child 'and be proud of it'. Growing up in London during the twenties was
full of excitement for a young girl, picking up her parents fruit and veg
from Covent Garden, running along the embankment after school and chasing of
the crows that used to wander down from The Tower for scraps of food (they
now clip their wings as an old saying tells that if all the crows leave the
Tower the Royal family shall cease).
When Louisa was 12 her mother, Eva bought a brand new Singer model 66. Her
mum was so eager to get the machine that she would not wait for the delivery
cart to take the machine from the shop to her home. Between Louisa and her
mum they pushed the Singer in it's treadle up and down the bumpy streets
almost a mile from the shop to her home. As they got to her street several of
their neighbours came out to watch. One neighbour who Louisa always disliked
shouted out 'I see your little scallywag is being useful for a change'. As
the machine went into the house they all started to clap.
Because of the high cost of the new machine she would make weekly payments of
half a crown to the shop. Eva did a deal with her daughter and if Louisa took
the money every Friday afternoon to the Singer shop then Eva would teach her
how to sew on the treadle. And so every week for what seemed like years
Louisa took the payment down to her local Singer dealers bought the groceries
on the way home, and in turn that evening she would have her sewing lesson.
It all paid off big time in the thirties when as a young woman she left
school and managed to get a job straight away at a firm called Laura Lee's.
She passed the sewing tests with ease. Laura Lee's was a big fashion house of
the time producing beautiful evening gowns and dresses. Louisa worked every
day in the sewing room where they would make a complete garment in one go
unlike today where most factories have sewing lines or circles that produce
part of the garment bit by bit until right at the end of the line they sew it
all together. This had it's up's and down's you were responsible for your own
quality control so if there was a mistake there was no one to blame but
yourself, on the other hand you saw the final product as all your own work
and could be proud of it. Louisa worked at Laura Lee's for four years up
until the outbreak of World War Two.
By 1940 she found herself on a bus filled with strangers heading for the
North. 'Always remember you are a Cockney, and be proud of it', was the last
words her mum spoke as she mounted the bus. She ended up in Birmingham
putting together oil pumps for Spitfire engines. 'Quality, quality, quality'
the line manager would preach, 'one mistake will cost the lives of our brave
pilots' on and on every day it was pumped into them. She had good training
back at Laura Lee's for although the products were very different the need
for getting the quality just right was the same.
Back in London after the war, the docks had been badly damaged by German
bombing raids and the factory where she worked was destroyed. It was rebuilt
and later changed names to Eastex but Laura never returned to work there.
Instead she managed to get a job in an office which she loved, no more piece
work for her, she was now getting paid for working and as soon as the boss
was out of site the usual gossip as to who was seeing who and what show was
worth seeing in town.
The only sewing Louisa now did was for her own pleasure, eventually after
many years she inherited her mums Singer 66 treadle and still sews on it to
this day. I was called to service it for the very first time after over
60years of faithful service. The Singer needed some attention, nothing life
threatening and easily fixed. Louisa told me that the Singer was the only
item that she still had from her mother and now old she often sits and stares
at the machine, thinking of her mother sewing and trips down to the Singer
shop every Friday with half a crown.' Never forget you are a Cockney my girl,
never forget the sound of Bow Bell's, and always be proud'.
From
ALEX
SUSSEX SEWING MACHINES
EASTBOURNE
ENGLAND
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Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 05:50:53 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics for 9/24/1999
Re Fat Quarters
Thanks Chris and everyone for the information -- won't tell you what was
going through my mind.....
Re folded/creased decals
I'd be surprised if they left the factory this way. They were applied by
hand and could easily be wiped off and re-applied if there were problems.
More likely to appear on machines rebuilt just after the war.
Sets of decals were available (have some in my archive). These were not
supplied by Singer, of course, who frowned on the idea of outsiders
rebuilding their machines.
To Jill re Brunswick
Sorry to say this is not a rare maker -- in fact not a maker at all.
In the 1890 to 1940 period there was a fad with large retailers and mail
order houses to sell "own brand" sewing machines.
To do this they entered into contracts with established sewing machine
manufacturers who would supply standard models but with the name of
choice substituted for the normal brand name.
I have records of over 6000 such "exclusive" names produced by half a
dozen makers during this period.
The situation is further confused in that retailers might switch makers at
the end of a contract period and the same name would then appear on a
completely different machine by another manufacturer
Brunswick machines were actually made by the National Sewing Machine Co and
identical machines can be found with many different names
To Meridith re paint damage
The creeping damage on your machine is due to an oxidisation process which
eats away at the alluminium -- very like rust on steel and iron.
You need to remove paint well beyond the damaged area to be sure of getting
at all the corrosion. I've used a small bead blaster to do this for a
customer whose machine was of great semtimental value but to do it
properly and achieve a repair that would be totally invisible is not an
economic proposition fot a normal FW
The only reproduction cases I've seen are pretty horrible but I'm told
another has recently been intrucuced which is an improvement.
Speed: Sounds like a good oil, lube and adjustment is necessary. You might
not finish up with the sort of performance that comes with a rebuilt motor
but it will probably effect a great improvement.\
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
graham@ismacs.u-net.com
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
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From: "Bonnie"
Subject: Red-eye wrinkles
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:19:06 -0500
My 1914 Red-eye has a "wrinkle" in the large center bed decal. Although the decals are almost perfect on the machine, the bed has heavy crazing. This puzzles me as the machine is in such incredible, hardly used condition otherwise. I've wondered if the surface was not properly prepared prior to the clear coat, the clear coat was misapplied, or was incorrectly mixed or cured. Perhaps the wrinkled decal caused skimping in the final finishing?
Bonnie
Near but not inside Leavenworth
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From: "ray & sue"
Subject: totally off subject
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:37:33 -0700
This post is here because I don't know where to go with it - if you can help
please drop me a line. Are any of you Lladro collectors or do you know of
any? These are old ones and in perfect condition. Have a few but not sure
who would truly appreciate these exquisite pieces. Thanks.
Sue
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From: MMquilts@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 13:49:35 EDT
Subject: Embroidery Attachment & Green Singer 15
Hi Feathers:
I have two things to write about. First, a dear friend of mine gave me a
Singer Embroidery Attachment in a cute little green box with the # 26538 on
the end. The box opens like the old style match boxes and is a very neat
looking attachment however...there are not instructions on how to operate
this item. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Second, I was thrifting in Topeka, KS and spotted a nice green Singer 15
in a nice dark wood cabinet with attachments. They are asking $30 I believe
and are in the shopping center at 3005 SW Topeka Blvd. There is a wonderful
little quilt shop in that shopping center and an antique mall. Thought I
would pass this on in case someone in the area would be interested.
Take care...
Marsha, in dry, dry, dry Raymore, MO. :-)
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From: NancyR394@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 16:30:48 EDT
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 9/9/99
Hello All:
Nancy Ray here in Alexandria, VA. I confess to mostly lurking and
reading for pleasure; I feel like I know all of you--and I like you too!
Reading FWF is a positive stress remover for me...very relaxing. My husband
went yardsaleing while I was visiting my mother last weekend, and he brought
home a sewing machine. I am planning to practice on it--cleaning and
adjusting, etc., to spare my more precious treasures. Anyway, I need a book
and advice.
The machine is a (heavy) portable in a trapezoidal case; the head is
blue. Case is black leatherette with a grey band; Serial number is A 591251.
On the arm are the words "Kingston Deluxe," and on the top of the arm
"Kingston Precision Sewing Machine." It is obviously a Brother which was
marketed under another name, since the bobbin winder tire is embossed with
the word Brother. The rubber bobbin tire is original--it is old rubber and
the same unusual color of blue as the machine. The bobbin case is stamped
"Brother J 01312" and the bed of the machine has the Brother name cast into
it in two places. There are two plates on the front just under the stitch
adjustment lever that say "SYNCRO-MATIC" and "Precision Sewing Machine
Distributors, Deluxe Precision built, Made in Japan."
The motor is Westinghouse, external, rear-mounted, with a light just over
it--also on the back side. The light has a plastic case and shade--all one
piece, blue like the machine head. I have the bobbin case, and three
bobbins, but no book and no attachments. From the looks of the electric
plugs, I think it may be 1950s??? I will gladly pay costs to copy and mail
the book if anyone has one.
Actually, I am impressed, since this is the DH who says "But how many
sewing machines do you NEED??? Right now, I am sharing space with a Bernina
930 and 1630, two Featherweights (white and black), four German hand cranks,
a German treadle on an iron base, my great, great Aunt Lula's Wilcox and
Gibbs, an Elnita (tiny little Elna portable), and a very small White portable
that is surprisingly good! I guess that makes this retagged Brother number
13!
Looking forward to hearing from those of you who recognize this machine,
Nancy Ray
PS: I'm going to Gwen Marston's Beaver Island retreat this year (next week).
The subject is String Quilting and I am a string piecer, so I'm in heaven
just thinking about it.
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Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 20:48:33 -0600
From: C Huff
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics for September 25, 1999
You wrote:
>From: Carla Lopez
>Subject: 328
>>I have a 328. It's a nice little machine, but a bit noiser as compared to
>some other machines, but it doesn't make horrible noises. It's not a real
>light weight either. It does have some nice features like: the option of
>doing some other stitches via cams, 3 needle positions and a built in
>zigzag.
At last! I'm *not* going crazy (OK so the vote is still out )! My 328 is
a noisy bugger, and I've oiled and wiped and lubed *everything*. She is a
total workhorse, sews thru anything, does great satinstitch embroidery--and
*lots* of it. (I make doggy blankets with numbers on them for amature(sp)
whippet racing, 2 per blanket, 6 to a set. . .)
I felt so incompetent, here everyone else had such smooth and silent
machines. I checked everything and there were no 'wobbly' bits, she was
well greased/oiled and still noisy. And I felt so guilty--here was a good
working machine that would wake the dead .
Ta
Carol
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Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 21:06:05 -0400
From: Carla Lopez
Subject: paint job
>> I got my FW today and the most glaring problem (much worse than seller
described) is some corrosion and chipping paint on the base s about 4
inches long at this point........As I said, something must be done, as the
paint is flaking off. <<
Hi Meredith,
I'm sorry you had a misrepresentation such as you describe.
Hopefully, it sews very well. It often is the ones that aren't the most
beautiful, that sew better than the perfect ones that were never used.
What one person did was get the whole machine done red....I think it was
Glen Williams. I think he had it done in a auto shop...Hopefully some one
will jump in......
The smoothest one I had was the ugliest one...it looked like someone redid
it with a paint brush....but is was the quietest sewing FW I've ever had.
Sometimes when they just sit looking pretty, the gears don't get worked.
Imagine a car sitting in a garage for years.
I was going to get it painted, but someone bought it before I could. It's
up to you. I've always wanted to customize a FW...sort of like a hot rod,
but of course would not do that with one that was "collectable" as it is.
As for carrying it around, there are a lot of other ways to do it. Go to a
office supply shop and look around.
Good Luck
Carla Lopez in Alameda CA
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Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 22:03:19 -0400
From: "M. C. Lehrhoff"
Subject: Singer Treadle and Other Trivia
Dear Mary: (from the Saturday, 9/25/99 posting)
First question, where in Rural Ohio was this auction? (Being from
Canton, I'm always interested where other FWF's are). And of course,
incurabley nosey. My sister goes to an auction in Hartford all the
time, and lives in Canton. (She's an antique dealer, artist, etc.)
I think to able to buy a beautiful treadle machine in perfect condition
in a beautiful cabinet, along with the manual....for $75 is a terrific
buy. I would have been hard pressed to not bid on it, so it's good that
I wasn't there. It's very hard to hide treadles in cabinets...and I'm
tapped out on hidding places (hee-hee). I'm not sure what the final
count is, anyway...
I'm still thinking of calling back a woman who has a 500 in a cabinet
(locally,here in Union,NJ) and is *asking* $50....says it is near
perfect, hardly ever used, and all the attachments....hummmmm....I do
have one, but?
Also, I was overcome by the FWFSMania a few weeks ago. My DH and I have
had words and are generally having problems with my addiction to what he
calls Stuff. Imagine, calling my precious FW's and their relatives, and
my fabric, and quilts, and patterns, and chachka's...stuff. This is
VERY valuable property..... He, on the other hand has FISHING stuff,
boat, etc. I never complain about that, and I am a redhead who can't
really deal well with the sun. He doesn't even like antiques...he would
have killed me if he caught me smuggling the beautiful 'new' 201 in it's
deco blonde wood cabinet and stool into the house. Sigh.
Are there more of you out there, who are suffering from this dreaded
Husband-HateStuff-itis???
We all know about Leopards and spots.....(I do have freckles!) I am
supposed to reduce my "Stuff" to nothing so we can move to Florida and
live in a small 2 br condo. He actually suggested we should....live on
his boat!!! I am still recovering from the gagging fit that overtook me
on THAT one!!! Geez, after 30+ years, you would think he 'understands'
me....
Oh well. I'm just dying to get my flooded basement cleared up, so I can
play with the 'new' 201..it looks pristine...manual is 1957. And I was
lucky to get a lone stool from a pile of junk for only $3.00.
I haven't had much chance to go scouting around for SM treasures, so I
read the digests avidly, living vicariously through the adventures of
you Lucky Ones...I haven't posted for a long time, but hey: I'm doing it
now.
I've noticed that STILLLLL people don't mention where they live and/or
where they found THEIR TREASURES!!!. It's such a wonderful xtra to read
about. I especially like it when it's SOMEWHERE I've been or lived or
even if it's near me...
I wonder what the total FWF membership is? Sue, could you share this
info? I know the list has been growing and growing. I shudder to think
of time before there was the FWF (and Bernina) Digest(s). The Beginning
& Creation of these Digests has mushroomed into many facets, which have
caused so, so many people to discover these wonder SM's and correlating
addictions...also, we can thank the Goddess of Computers for assisting
in these endeavors.
Well, I hear DH (Dear Herbie) now, so I gotta run and look alive!!! I'm
exhausted from sending out resumes all day (to get a job, ugh!!)...
Love to all Old & Current & New FWFanatics; Long May We Feather!
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From: RTowers206@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 22:48:06 EDT
Subject: 201in cabinet and stool
I
To Sandy re: the 201 in cabinet with stool, etc. for $85 Canadian:
I'd say go for it! I bought one not only for me but one for DH to use
for sewing canvas and leather. Like the one you saw, our cabinets were in
very poor condition, BUT the machines sewed absolutely beautiful and they are
so quiet. Just spent the entire summer hand sanding the cabinet and both
stools. Just finished it this week and have them almost all assembled. They
came out absolutely gorgeous! A lot of work, but well worth it for these
great machines. And, I just love those stools especially with the storage
areas. Might add, if you plan to refinish your cabinet, one nice thing is
that everything comes apart making sanding a little easier. I wound up with
32 pieces of wood (from 1 cabinet and 2 stools) to refinish by hand! Am
looking forward to using my "new" machine, cabinet and stools this winter.
Good luck making a decision.
Diane in Montana where we received snow flakes today!
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Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 10:03:43 +0800
From: Joan Lock
Subject: RE: FW corrosion
>Replacement Case
>Regarding the case, it is in such bad shape, I would not feel
>comfortable carrying the machine in it. Are there repro/replacement cases
>available for practical use? I may be traveling with my new baby and want to
>feel secure. I won't throw the old case out, but the bottom is falling out.
Hi, Meredith
My first FW came with a case with no bottom at all. This was about 4 years ago.
DH being somewhat of a handyman made a new base and glued some thin carpet
on it (just to cushion it and stop it moving around - and it works a treat.)
We bought some imitation leather from a camera repair place and carefully
glued it to the new base, extending up onto the sides of the case. These
were peeling away and stained white (I think my machine had got its feet
wet, too). By overlapping and cutting carefully we were able to butt the
two bits together and the join is inconspicuous.
While the replacement covering is not an exact match it is very close and
the case looks and works fine.
I hope this gives you some reassurance that it is possible to repair the
case if you can't get a replacement.
There is someone on the FWFanatics list now who regularly advertises the
real covering (I think it's called toluene) in the ForSale digests.
I would love to hear how you get on.
Joan in Perth, Western Australia where it's sunshine and showers - and
school holidays!
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From: PATBERGMAN@aol.com
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 23:35:11 EDT
Subject: A tribute to WD-40
401A update:
Well, now I can say I have really seen sad. This magnificent machine has
been the victim of a dirty moist environment, as well as a smoker.
The knobs for the stitches were frozen solid. It did run straight stitches,
that I found out before I bought it. Because of the late hour and a dinner
to put on the table, I did not have time, nor was the conditions where the
machine was, conducive to my really checking this machine out, but at the
price, I took it and ran.
I have taken the top cover, the feed dog plate and bobbin cover off and
opened the end cover and cleaned, and sprayed, and cleaned and sprayed. Got
the worst of the rust off with emery paper, 40000 steel wool, and more WD-40.
The mechanism for the push and pull indicators are starting to free up and
move. Tomorrow in the daylight, I will see what progress soaking in WD-40
overnight has made.
A hearty thanks to those of you who have encouraged me, and given me
confidence to try this. I think when someone adopts a nature non DE plume,
they become a sage and mentor to the timid.
Thank you,
PatBergman
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Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 23:58:01 -0400
From: "Lise M. Olney"
Subject: Heartbreaking Story
My family and I are staying in a furnished apartment in Waltham, Mass.,
while we wait for our recently-purchased house in nearby Wellesley,
Mass., to be repaired and repainted. We moved in to the apartment on
Sept. 14th and a few days later, I happened to drive past the Waltham
Sewing Center for the first time. It looked like it had been there for
many years. Sadly, there were big signs in the windows advertising a
close-out auction on Sept. 15th. I figured I had missed the big event
and the place must be completely empty, so I didn't stop. Yesterday, I
took my two daughters (5 and 2 years old) to do some shopping. On the
way home, I drove past the Waltham Sewing Center again. There was a
large dumpster outside that was already brimming. Three or four men were
carrying sewing machines, one in each hand, and hurling them into the
dumpster. I quickly circled the block and pulled in behind the dumpster.
I locked the girls in the car and raced inside. The place was just about
empty, but in the middle of the floor was a pile of at least 30 old
machines and shoved against a wall were about 10 old sewing
tables/cabinets. I could hardly see straight as I tried to pick a
machine out of the pile. "Are you just throwing these away??" I choked
out. "Yeah," said one guy sadly, "and they're getting all bent up." A
very large, angry looking man came out of the back room and yelled at
the men, "No one can be in here! They might get hurt!" I looked at him
and stated the obvious again, "You're just throwing these away??" "They
don't work! None of them work! You can't be in here!" he barked. There
were three machines not yet in the pile, so I raced over to them. "OK,
you can take those! But you can't be in here!" I made three quick trips
with the machines out to the car, not even stopping to look at them. All
I could think about was what must be in that pile (I had seen a Singer
label on at least one) and already in the dumpster. If I hadn't had my
daughters with me I would have just gone back in--to hell with the
large, angry man. But I couldn't leave the girls sitting in the car
while I did battle with the force of ignorance. I was shaking when I
drove off. And I've been sick to my stomach ever since. Couldn't sleep
last night wondering what I could have or should have done differently
to stop such a terrible travesty. If my husband hadn't been out of town,
I might have gone back to the dumpster and tried to salvage more
machines (but my husband says it's illegal to remove things from a
dumpster). My two year-old is still asking me over and over, "Mumma, why
the mans throwing the machines?" The machines I did salvage are ones
I've never heard of: One is about the size of my FW. It's labeled
"Dynamic" and says made in Japan. The motor says "Household, model 40."
It seems to be in good condition and has a lot of gold decoration, a
fancy faceplate, a bobbin, no foot pedal. The other two are both
"Western Electric" and virtually identical except that one has a motor
that folds down and the other has no motor at all. The one with no motor
is in quite good condition with attachments in a sliding compartment in
the wooden base, and a funny sort of oblong bobbin. The one with the
motor is quite rusty and has no bobbin or attachments. Neither machine
has a foot pedal. I'd appreciate any information you have on these. I'm
not quite sure what to do with them. I'm not really a collector--just
love my FW and my 201 and my 1970s Brother for my (very) beginning
sewing and quilting projects. I hope none of you ever witness anything
like this event, or if you do, that you don't feel so powerless to stop
it. The guilt may haunt me for a long while to come.
Lise Olney, Heartbroken in Waltham
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