This machine is a fluting iron and is designed to put the ruffles/pleats on the collars and cuffs of clothing of that era. There was two pieces of metal heated in the fire and then put into heat the brass rollers. It was made to clamp onto a table. This one is in particularly good condition. Cheers Rob and Lynne
What a wonderful find Rob had and local too. She is not completely restored yet . There are still a few parts to be polished on the head. Believe it or not this machine has been stuck away in a shed for the last 30 years- well covered and protected.
We are only the third owners since new. The machine was made in 1872 and came with a range of parts including 2 little earspoons for collecting wax and even part of the original manual. I will get him to take a photo of the parts to show you all. See the brass badge of Elias Howe on the bed of the machine. The slide cover plates are brass too. She is in remarkable condition for her age.
Rob has just cleaned the wood and polished it. It has not been refinished. There is a little drawer not visible to the side and if you look carefully you can see the bobbin winder.
Look at the decals visible on the frame. All Rob has done is shellaced the frame to protect the finish.
This is the machine he has wanted to add to his collection since the beginning. Needless to say he is very pleased and proud to be the owner and protector of this wonderful machine.
Wishing you all a great productive New Year 2010
Cheers Rob and Lynne
Rob managed to get most of the pitting out of the plate using a combination of sanding filing and polishing. It took a while but the end results were well worth it.
There is still a few parts the he needs to find (minor).
She turns over beautifully. Have not had her sewing yet though. Rob is very happy with the final result.
CheersLynne and Rob
Rob’s latest Treasure which he is meant to get for Christmas but the old itchy fingers could not wait to pull her apart and polish :-)
She came in the mail today. It took all his restraint to take before photos.
She is a Singer Model 30 Serial Number 3669684 made in 1913. She is a chain stitch machine and although it looks very similar to the Singer toy it is about twice the size. A reasonably uncommon machine, Rob has been trying to get one for ages. Stay Tune for her photo finish.
He managed to pick up another gorgeous machine this week too. No Before shots as he just could not wait. Stay tune for that one. Isn’t it amazing how you can wait all year and then just when you least expect it you have a find or in this case two :-)
Cheers Lynne and Rob
The Craft and Quilt Fair is on in Adelaide 5th 6th 7th and 8th November – that is from tomorrow. We are going to have a Vintage Sewing Machine Display like we had last year :-) Lots of Fun. I am also going to be making a baby’s throw quilt for the floor for a Family member. We live down by the beach so the Quilt is to have a sea/beach theme. No Repro’s in this quilt. It is all cut out and ready to sew. My Friend Rosemary is going to help. Rob has a phone interview with ABC Radio at 6.30am tomorrow morning. Just as well he can bounce out of bed and be alive because I certainly could not. Need the big cup of strong coffee before I can do that.
This Lovely Red Eye 66 Treadle will be part of the display. If you live in Adelaide, make sure you come along and say '”Hello”. I think we are next door to the girls from the Knitters Guild. I am certainly looking forward to seeing all the quilts on display. Just need to remember to take the camera!
On another note can say I have nearly finished B2 of the Civil War Bride Quilt. Am a little slow I know but this quilt is being made from stolen moments of time. Exams are happening in our household in a big way. Both Year 11 and 12 so the tension is high! Those stolen moments are my sanity. Couple of weeks behind on the Nearly Insane quilt too but I just received a delivery of all this luscious fabric from AutumnRoseQuilting. She is wonderful and cuts F8ths and F16ths of full ranges Perfect for Nearly Insane and the CWBQ. I do shop locally too but these were just too much temptation for me ;-)
Cheers Lynne
If you look closely in the centre of the bed and in the corners(the pictures can be enlarged-just click on them) you can see Angels on this beautiful German Saxonia Handcrank Machine. Machines with the large handwheels and internal gears are often called Saxonia machines as most of them were made in this part of Germany. This particular machine was made by Stoewer and would date to around 1900. Notice the porcelain Handle on the crank. Cheers Rob
Close Up of the centre bed decal showing the lovely Mother of Pearl. If you look closely near the stitch length adjusting knob you will see a second knob. This was for changing the machine from a lockstitch to a chain stitch. Pretty Fancy considering the age of the machine. It is called a Triplex because it also does another fancy embroidery stitch. As we do not have a manual to this machine we do not know much about this last stitch.
If you look carefully at the bobbin winder you will see an extension beyond the wheel which the grinding stone fits on. This was for sharpening needles. Replacement needles were quite expensive and one made sure that the needle lasted as long as possible.
The holes in the wooden base are because this handcrank has come out of a combination treadle base and the machine could be used as either a handcrank or a treadle. We do have the rest of the treadle but it is not in these photographs,
Cheers Rob and Lynne
