Where did the summer go?

Well hello again.  I am going to start up my Brave Little Sewing Machine Repair business and therefore and I am hoping to become a blogger - for real!

When I first posted at the blog it was May 24, 2013.  Shortly after that, my good friend's son died from a heroin overdose.  I was on my way to the Advanced sewing machine repair course offered by Ray White.  I received the news while driving to the class.  (out of town).  I turned my car around and returned home.  Eventually I went to the class and was able to receive 2 of the 3 days of training.

Upon returning home, I attended Tommy's wake and funeral and tried as best I could to assist my friend with anything she might need.

Every time I thought about going down to my newly created workshop to work on sewing machines, I thought of Tommy and I was not interested.

However, I picked up a few more machines this summer and it is my intention to get busy with them.

I think the memories of Tommy's death (the initial memory) have subsided enough to where I can get back at it.

My girlfriend started a non-profit agency:  Mothers Against Heroin and I have been trying to help her with it.  The heroin usage is out of control and too many people are dying.

I will take some photos of my latest acquisitions and blog about the soon.  I told my husband that I had a goal of releasing 10 machines before Halloween!  I better get busy!

Bye for now,
Chrissy

My First Blog Post!

This first post is a Cut & Paste of the posts I had on my other blog that pertain to my sewing machines.  I am trying to blog about each machine so I can have an inventory list.  Tomorrow I take the Basic Sewing Machine Repair class from Ray White and I've been collecting vintage machines to repair during and after the class.

I still have several to take pictures of and write about.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Singer 99K

Well yesterday I posted about the least favorite sewing machine I've acquired thus far, and now I'm going to name this Singer 99K as my most favorite!!

I really shouldn't jump to say that, I didn't plug it in.  But I think she's a beauty.  In fact the pictures show stuff that doesn't really appear to be there.  The decals are lovely.

This purchase was from Craigslist as well, and I paid $20.00 for it.  It was from Tim in Columbia, Illinois.  I drove there today to pick it up.  He had 3 other machines in cabinets that were all in sad shape and I felt pretty good leaving without rescuing the others!

Here's the pictures:

There is a bobbin release button on this style of Singer.  Something else I'm not familiar with.  The needle plate is obviously a replacement.  Instead of being shiny, it has a matte finish.

The cord is a little frayed, but not really that bad.  The belt and the bobbin winder tire both look like they've been replaced recently. 

I took this picture to show the lazy susan I got to use with repairing the sewing machines.  It works great to help with the photos, too!

I've  never noticed a Made in Great Britain decal on a Singer before.  Maybe I just haven't seen enough of them, but I think it's really cool to think this machine originated across the pond.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Dressmaker S 2402 sewing machine with cams (without cams)

Now I'm going to tell you about the Dressmaker S 2402 that I purchased at the Family Thrift Store for $12.51.  I didn't realize that the machine required cams and it didn't come with any.  It might actually be one of the only machines I've purchased that I regret.

I don't have a manual for it, and the only ones I find on line cost $10.00.  Although it does have a different color to it, it comes with a case, (as opposed to a cabinet!)

Enough already, just put up the pictures!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Singer 15-91

The next machine I am picturing here is the one I bought last night from Becky in Oakville off of Craigslist.  It was $15.00  It is in pretty good shape, doesn't appear to be missing anything.

I didn't plug it in, so I don't know about how it runs, but the hand wheel moves smoothly by hand.

According to the serial number it is a Model 15 and was manufactured in 1934.


Here are the pictures:

 

 When I lifted up the machine to see under it at the sellers house, she was surprised and said I, "didn't know it did that!" Then she said, "Oh, look more parts and stuff!" I just hope I never open a machine and discover money that has been stashed there.
When I ask her for the history of the machine, she said that she and her husband both thought it was the other's mothers.  So truly she didn't know.  Because both are deceased, they would never know.  (How sad.)

The decals are really in bad shape in the front of the machine.  I like to think it was a real workhorse and had lots of fabric run along it's belly causing the leafing to rub off.  On the back it is in better condition.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Sally's Quilt

I just re-read all of the previous posts I have written on this blog.  I can't believe I mentioned Sally's quilt way back in May of 2010.  She finally got it in February of this year!!  It was long arm quilted by Jan in South County.  She did a great job, but then she had to go and have 2 different types of surgery that put her out of commission.

Anyway, here is a picture of Sally's finished quilt!  FINALLY!!

Sally's bed in Murray, KY, complete with Arthur & D.J. and a ray of sunshine!

Green Machine - Singer 185K

Next is the Green Machine!

This machine was purchased at St. Vincent dePaul thrift store for $20.00.

It was hidden away on a shelf in its case and I felt like I had found a treasure when I discovered it!

It is missing a part of the throat plate and in need of a replacement bobbin tire.  The foot pedal is the original. The bobbin case feels very loose.  It has a red toothed belt and it appears to be in okay shape.

I do not know about how it runs.

I was just googling singer sewing ads for T.V. and I discovered an ad for this machine.  It was called the "Young Budget Machine!"
Here's a link to the YouTube video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2WVejdbYFs

 I think it's fun to see the stickers from repair shops!

Bel Air Deluxe

Next are pictures of the De Luxe Bel Air machine that I purchased on Craigslist about 2 months ago for $20.00.  The girl selling it worked for a construction company and it was found in a house that the company was rehabbing.  I don't know much about it.  It is really dirty and will be fun to get at with Q-tips and clean out the lint, etc.  Needs a needle plate and a bobbin tire, too.

  From the position of the tension dial, I think it might be a Badged 15.

White Rotary 99

I'm back to continue my Sewing Machine Inventory.

Next I will tell you about the White Rotary machine I bought at an estate sale for $10.00.  It wasn't until I got it home that I realized from the service tag hanging on the handle of the case that the estate sale I was at was the house of a gentleman I cared for at the Skilled Nursing Facility that I work at on the weekends.

I was kind of happy knowing that his wife was the owner of this machine.  When I worked with him, he only told me wonderful things about his wife.  She had passed six months earlier and he was broken hearted.  They had been married sixty years, I think.

Anyway, back to the machine.  It's a heavy mother. The wiring seems newer, as it was more than likely re-wired.  The foot pedal appears to be a universal newer variety.  The belt appears to be in okay shape.

It is missing the small portion of the needle plate, and it is also in need of a belt for the bobbin winder.

The bobbin case is different than what I'm used to.