Friends and family have caught on to the fact that I am totally obsessed with vintage sewing related goods, and they either like to tell me way after the fact about the great thing/s they saw (not nice) or let me know when they have found something good and offer to pick it up for me (very, very kind!) This has worked out well for me a few times in recent history, as my sis posted this pic to Facebook a couple weeks ago, and when I called her blubbering, she went back and picked the li'l beaut up for me.
Okay, ok, so it doesn't look like a beaut here. Admittedly, it looks a bit of a dusty wreck, but the price was right. Even if I couldn't get it running, I had no fear that I could pull parts and sell them to recoup my investment. My sis gave it a general inspection that was guided by me over the phone, so I knew the light switch was broken and the wiring for the pedal was cracked and dry rotted. Still, the decals were in very good shape, she said, and there were only a few chips to the handwheel with the paint otherwise nice.
When I pulled it from the box, it looked like this...
But in just an hour or so, it was shined up rather well...
When I pulled it from the box, it looked like this...
But in just an hour or so, it was shined up rather well...
It was frozen and the handwheel wouldn't move. But a good oil bath and some gentle turning got it spinning along free and smooth. My husband rewired the pedal for me (thanks Sweets!). When he tested the motor, it wouldn't work, but a quick motor inspection showed that one of the brushes was not in contact with the copper. This is my second time going into a Featherweight motor- I am just too foolish to be afraid of messing anything up!
Notice my trusty coffee can on the right here. If you ever decide to start pulling parts of a vintage sewing machine (and I absolutely think you should, unplugged of course) you must have a container right next to you in which to put every little piece and screw and thing-a-ma-jig that you remove. This is my best tip. Other than that, I kinda wing it....
I ended up needing to purchase the light switch, a bobbin case, some bobbins (I sold all mine with the white green), a spool pin spring, and a belt. All ordered from eBay, I expect all of my parts to arrive in the next few days, and I am very excited to try this new machine out. For those who are counting, this brings the total to 7 plus a serger :) But what a beautiful addition!
Now to get my hands on the box of 100 vintage sewing patterns a friend picked up for me at a yard sale this past weekend!
wow! It's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI am still so grateful to my sister in law for rescuing a similar machine from her neighbours garbage - and it works! I am daydreaming of sewing a light, lacy edwardian style summer dress on it :)
Yes! It's wonderful when people do bother to rescue them! I have heard too many stories about machines and patterns meeting with sad ends!
DeleteI was yelling at my monitor when I read, "I could pull parts and sell them..." NOOOOO! But then I breathed a sigh of relief when you wrote "This is my second time going into a Featherweight motor..." Phew! "She knows what she has," I thought. So glad you were able to get it running. What a find! My mother has two Featherweights, and from what I hear, they are still THE coveted thing for Singer collectors. Which is what you are now. A collector. Seven is the magic number. Works with cats, works with sewing machines. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, the parts thing is just the basis of my argument to my husband when he sees I'm planning on purchasing ANOTHER sewing machine in questionable condition. I had to go on the record with it ;) I also had a white featherweight that I sold a few months back. They are wonderful little machines. I am a collector, that's right!
DeleteI'm super excited (and jealous!) to see the 100 patterns. What a find!
ReplyDeleteI know! I live in NC and he bought them at a Tampa yard sale (yes, he, this guy has been my husband's best friend since they were kids, and now he's mine too!!! :) ) If I wait a little someone will drive 'em up or I can get them there, but it is really testing my patience. They might have to go in the mail.
Delete