Singer 127

I find this blog most useful as a record of what I have been up to - sewing, travels, knitting, hounds etc, and as such I use the blogroll (Must Reads) on the right hand side as my personal reading list.  It followed that as I was writing little notes to myself about my sewing machines that I should record them here (as I tend to lose little notes written to myself . . . .) so I thought that I would start with one of the vintage machines that I have acquired - a few photos, some historical details - so let me introduce you to my treadle machine:

From what I have been able to find on the internet, this is a 127, meaning that it is a full size machine.  The cabinet is in not bad shape although there is a piece of wood between the two drawers on the right that has come off.  The piece is in one of the drawers, so I will get hubby to mend that for me.  It is rather dusty though . . . .

I saw it advertised locally on KIJIJI and am very pleased with it.  It had been in a family for many years and I look forward to getting it up an running!

 I was most excited to find lots of buttons in the drawers . .

The machine also seems in good condition.  I have not seen any rust, but then it is very hard for anything to rust here in Alberta as it is so dry.

It came complete with the manual as well as various feet.

The serial number of JA731257 indicates that it was manufactured in 1924 in Clydebank, Scotland.  This is rather good to know as my mother was a Scot and a seamstress.  She would be tickled to know that I had this machine.  I remember her mother, my grandmother, using a treadle in the front room of the house when I was a child.  I have not been able to identify these decals yet, but they are rather beautiful interlocking hearts.

 

This photo reminds me of the posters that you see in the vets surgery that indicate whether your dog is underweight, overweight or just right.  Based upon this picture, I think my machine is underweight!!

A couple of the identifying features of a 127 are the twin slide plates - you can see them open on the picture above, and the long skinny shuttle known as a 'vibrating' shuttle.

And finally, here is the front drawer with some old wooden cotton reels.  I plan to empty the drawers and save all the goodies in glass jars in my studio.  (I used to have a sewing room, but I am currently auditioning the title 'Studio'!)

So there we have it.  A gorgeous piece of history that I look forward to getting to work, and using.  Then I guess the fun will start as I learn to 'treadle'!

The websites that I used for my research were:

Singer and ISMACS - for identifying serial numbers and this site to identify the model.