This week's #SewingMachine adventure has been all about repair & restoration.

Found a local welder who was willing to do small jobs. My 1879 (Stockwell) Howe (The Howe Machine Company) pedal had a crack in it right where the ball of the right foot puts pressure. I asked for cosmetic consideration, but that I primarily cared about structural integrity. So, yes, there's a visible scar, but it's not terribly noticeable considering its location, especially once it's oiled up. So I'm satisfied there!

Then it was off to a machinist to have a missing piece of the bobbin winder made (same machine). It was missing the steel rod held by the wing nut. There's a divot in one side to hold the bobbin nipple. Simple enough, but I don't have metalworking tools (maybe one day). The gentleman made me two, and he didn't even charge me, because he found the idea of helping to restore something from 1879 "intriguing". I can't complain. 😂

I have design ideas for a possible boot so my Singer 9W can use low shank feet. If I can get it to work and get it 3D printed, he'd be willing to see if he can machine such a device. *fingers crossed* If it works, I'll probably have to have made a certain number to make it worth their time. But I figure if it works, others will want one. Original 9W (or W&W) feet can be hard to find and are pricy.

Now I need to put my machine irons back together. 😮‍💨

#AntiqueSewingMachine
#VintageSewingMachine
#sewing

Another #antique #SewingMachine.

This is a proper antique - ca 1879.

Elias Howe is credited w/the creation of the lock stitch sewing machine (2 threads, which is what is used today). After a legal fight w/patent thieves made him rich, he didn't do much w/the technology, but his brother Amasa did.

The (Amasa) Howe Sewing Machine Company made excellent, & revolutionary, machines.

Elias decided, years later, to get into the game. Unfortunately, he wanted to use the company name his brother used. Their relationship failed over this, & Elias had to use a different name - The Howe Manufacturing Company.

He went into business w/his sons-in-law who were both surnamed Stockwell as they were brothers. Elias' looks nearly identical to Amasa's, but on Elias' there's a large badge showing Elias' profile.

Unfortunately, by then the technology was old, & his company didn't see the success his brother's did. In addition, the quality wasn't as good. When he died, his business failed soon after.

That's all in a very brief nutshell.

I'm quite happy w/this machine, but it has its quirks. I'm getting ready to remove a couple parts as they need repair (the foot pedal has a crack & the bobbin winder is missing a part). It works, the wood is fantastic, & it SOUNDS like the #Victorian industrial era (see the video).

My model A "Stockwell Howe" has faded & missing designs, but you can still see hints of them.

Video first & pics in the comments.

#AntiqueSewingMachine #sewing #history

Two months post hand surgery (#trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction tendon interposition aka #LRTI), and I can finally, though painfully, just tap my pinky with my thumb. So today I did a small celebration by #sewing for the first time since surgery.

It's not a fancy project - just a roll for my screwdrivers - but it was nice to get back to a machine. I took the 1940 #Singer201 for a spin, and WOW what luxury! Sure, it's not as fast as my 301, but it's so smooth, quiet, and comfortable in comparison. It's 84 years old & every stitch was perfect!

It all took twice as long as normal to make, since my thumb isn't terribly functional (takes up to 9 months for recovery), and now I'm sore and tired, but I'm also pretty happy for this tiny bit of normalcy.

#VintageSewingMachine #maker #diy

This is the Singer 66-6 (1928). I have named her Lucy, short for Lucifer, because of that model number. 😂

The 66 was an EXTREMELY popular model, and it was made for decades (I also have a 66-1 treadle). The quality and reputation of the 66 wouldn't be fully surpassed until the introduction of the 201 (the extremely popular 15 predates the 66, but all were considered masterpieces of engineering at the time - and frankly they still are).

I got her, in table and with the stool, for just $20. Body & wood weren't in terrible shape. Not too dirty, but very very dry. Based on the condition of the motor & wiring, someone ran her looooong past when she was last oiled/greased. Motor was fried and the wiring cooked and literally crumbling.

I opted to just replace the motor, as the damage was so extensive.

A thorough lubrication, some Howard's for the wood, new fabric for the stool, and the new motor, and she sews again!

IMHO, the only drawback to this particular cabinet is that the stool doesn't fit under it when the head is dropped down. Otherwise it's lovely.

Video in the comments.

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