It Sews!

I’ve recently been trolling Craigslist for vintage sewing machines, I just can’t seem to stop myself.  However, I haven’t tried to buy every single one of them, I just pull up the advertisement over and over, trying to decide if I really want to make the trip to someone’s home, test the machine and plunk down the cash.
Last weekend, this Singer 347 came home with me, and I got a steal of a deal!  I cleaned and oiled it and it sews wonderfully!  Look at these stitches!
I’ve missed out on a couple of them, the most recent was an ad that I’d missed completely,  for a Singer 201-2.  I’ve only recently come to know that these are wonderful machines, although I’ve never sewn on one myself.  Now, I want one!  So, when I saw this advertisement there was no hesitation.  I called immediately and left a message.  I followed up with another phone call the next day, but the machine had been sold the day before.  Drat!

It’s Not a Featherweight….

It’s a Singer 99K!

And I found it at a thrift store for a whopping $55!

So, I’ve been doing a lot of research on old machines ever since, and I have learned quite a bit… and there is SO much more to learn!
I can blame Bonnie Hunter for my latest obsession.  She’s been posting about her vintage machines for a long time, but her most recent post was about her replacement Featherweight that she is getting tricked out and painted  School Bus Yellow.
I’ve never really been fascinated by the Featherweights, but I love all gadgets and machines, so I got curious as to what was posted in my local Craigslist area.  I specifically started looking for treadle machines, and  I found quite a few, but one specifically caught my eye.  It was a beautiful Singer!
However, I started thinking about the sewing machine, an Anker RZ, sitting in my garage, that had been rusted out during a flood in my mother’s basement a few years ago, when no one thought to look into the box containing the machine.  It’s the sewing machine I learned to sew on, the one my dad brought into the marriage, and I’ve been hugely disappointed ever since I brought it home that it was in such a state.
Of course, I waited until the morning of my appointment to see the treadle to find someone who said he could clean off the rust and get it working, so I cancelled my appointment to see the treadle, thinking it would cost a lot to restore the Anker RZ.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the cost more than reasonable.  But by the time I contacted the seller again, they had changed their minds about selling the treadle.  I’ve been kicking myself ever since.
I haven’t figured out which model of the Singer 99K that I have, so will be researching that further.  I’ve gotten it cleaned up and oiled, though, and, as you can see in the photo, even started sewing my 2” charms for the postage stamp quilt on it!
I signed up for the swap again that the Curious Quilter is hosting, this time for 12 packets, and I can’t wait to get my list of buddies!  In the meantime, I’m planning on getting quite a few more charms sewn together this weekend and finish putting a border on a jelly roll race quilt.
Enjoy your weekend, and Go Broncos!