Phase Seven

http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/2010/01/sometimes-you-gotta-let-go.html

If you click on the link above, you will understand. 

There are seven machines in that pile; waiting for a ride to the scrap yard, via our local transfer station.  The Singer 15-91 carcass in front actually ended up back in the shop. I had been hauling these machines out all day.  I would strip off  the stuff I thought was useful and walk past Steven (he was working on our "new" cabinets)  proudly proving that I can cull and sort.  That 15-91 was given to me as a parts machine and I have scammed the motor and the set screw for the clutch knob.  I did not realize that the decals were so good.  I stripped it down and fretted the whole time I was doing it. I took it to the pile, none the less.  But then....with the last machine I caved.  There  are two doors to the shop.  I carried the 15 back in through the back door.  Steven  has no idea.

Two cabinets are in the Jetta on their way to Salvation Army.  Two more are in the barn awaiting listing on Free Cycle.

 

 I moved the 401 cabinet up to the loft.  Goodness knows where I will put it.  But I cannot dump it.  I also have two 99 cabinets that are uncommon.  I know I will never use them but I cannot get rid of them, either.

We moved a Singer 66 Red Head treadle from a guest room to the shop.  It is for sale.  Seventy five dollars.  

 I moved Winnie, the Singer 27 VS treadle to that same guest room.  I refinished the cabinet and love that machine.  Gotta keep it.  The decals are not pristine but the hand wheel is spectacular.  Steven mad the new pitman.  I have hours in this machine.  I don't care.  I love it.


 I will move the  Davis VF to Winnie's spot in the shop (it is a bit of an encroachment on Steven's space but hey, possession is 9/10 the law!)

And I have added a few more machines to that pile.  There may be a total of 10.

"Scrap is $170 a ton, honey.  Maybe you should just pile them in the back of the barn until I have another load to haul to the scrap yard."

"OK, that means that a pound is worth 8 and a half cents.  Do we really want to keep these around until you get a load?  When will that be, spring?  I thought the idea was to clean some of this stuff out?"

"Well, how much does one weigh?"

"Twenty two pounds"  Yes, we have a scale in the shop.  Don't ask.

"Oh, I guess it isn't worth it."

"Nope,  I am ready to scrap these and happy to donate the buck eighty seven per machine. "

  It is highly unlikely that I will reach Phase 9.  Perhaps, just in case, I should hang onto the Viking.

Treadle On

We had a BLAST. It was cold in there but we managed to have a few folks actually try out the machines.  I wish I had taken more photos.  I just was too busy sewing and chatting with people.  I could retire if I had a thousand bucks for all the people who said"I wonder whatever happened to that old machine we had?"  or "My grandmother had a machine like that."    We even had some kids try out the hand crank and the treadles.  A.  actually made a tote bag on the hand crank.  Here she is winding the bobbin  She loved that little hand crank.

Two darling sisters made tote bags as well.  I helped Z  and Betsy helped L.  Z. ran the hand crank as she sat on my lap and L. guided the fabric as she sat on Betsy's lap.  I would post their photos, but I don't have permission.  They are adorable girls and so into sewing.  L. kept saying she wanted to buy a machine.  Let's hope she gets a vintage one.  Not a Wal mart special.

Looks like we could go back for another demo.  But in the warmer months.  Just the same, it was fun to be there showing folks these great old machines. 

In the photo above.  A Hand crank VS 28,  Betsy's "new" Red Head treadle and my VS 27.  All these machines are older than dirt and still stitching.

Irene

We could have some high winds on Sunday which means that the power will likely go out.  I plan to move this treadle out of the bathroom and into a room that has better light so that I can sew during the storm.  I have a lot of squares that were given to me, pre-cut, so I think I will just stitch them together randomly. It will be good treadle practice.

I named this machine Rose last January when I bought her.  I must change her name, though, since I  brought home Rosie last week.  I guess it will be Irene.  Irene Rose.