September 05, 2014

My New (very old) Toy

On Tuesday, as I was getting ready to go out the door, my husband asked me "Would you want this?" while looking at something on his phone. 'This' turned out to be absolutely gorgeous, and yes, I most certainly wanted it! We brought her home on Wednesday.

 
 
Isn't she gorgeous? She's a Singer 127-3 treadle, made in Elizabeth, NJ in 1923, which makes her 91 years old. She looks fabulous for her age, don't you think? I love that Wikipedia says she was "built before the advent of planned obsolescence, and so they were designed to be repaired rather than replaced." These machines just feel so solid, almost like they're indestructible.


She needs a couple of replacement parts, but hopefully I can soon try her out. The lady we bought her from had her for 25 years and used to sew on her years ago.
 She also needs a good cleaning. I'm a little nervous about that part. What is safe to use that won't harm the decals? This is all new to me and I don't want to do any damage to her.

My Kenmore sewing machine doesn't seem to have a gender, or to require a name. This beauty, however, has been 'she' and 'her' since the moment I laid eyes on her and now I'm wondering what to call her. The decals are the Sphinx or Memphis/Egyptian ones, so I think her name should reflect that, but I haven't come up with anything suitable yet. Any suggestions?

Also, if you know of any good sites for information on cleaning/maintaining her, (or how to actually use her!) please let me know. For now, I'm enjoying being able to admire her!

13 comments:

  1. How fun! Unfortunately, I don't have any advice on the cleaning but I'm looking forward to seeing "her" all prettied up!

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  2. Wow - she is beautiful! I love all the detailing. I have no great advice on cleaning and maintaining her, but I hope you have fun working with her!

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  3. Congratualtions! Nefertiti queen of Egypt in the 14th centurt BC
    I bought one a few years ago that had been restored but did not come with the bullet shaped bobbin and bobbin case. I did eventually find one only to realize that I had 2 old machines that both had them. What I do not know is how to wind that bobbin. And I get my fingers caught in the wheel when I try to get er going. I think it would be a great leg workout,

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    1. There are videos online that will show you how to wind the bobbin. My mom had one of these and stupid me sold the head off the base as I wasn't using it. Would give anything to have it back.

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    2. Great suggestion, Chris. It's fun to play with these old names. I'm thinking my legs will be tired when I do get a chance to sew with her!

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  4. I love your new (to you) toy! According to Rick Riordan (author of the Kane Cronicles series)... Isis is the Egyptian goddes of magic. What do you think about Isis? I would suggest the names of some of the other goddesses, but they are more like Mekhit, Neith, Nekhbet, Nut, Serqet... Might not be what you want to name your machine. I still like Isis. :)

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  5. If you google cleaning an old sewing machine you will get lots of information. One site I recommend is Featherweight RX and sort through his blogs about cleaning. Basically start with mild soap and water and progress from there. Also check out Nova's featherweight and the Quilting Board (vintage machine section)
    I have a portable of this model which has been motorized ... it is available for parts as I decided against restoring it. It did run when I first got it but the wiring is kaput.

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    1. Thanks Suzzy. I'll be checking all of that out.

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  6. She's beautiful! I think Cleo would be a delightful name for her. Enjoy your new friend.

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    1. I agree Cleo is a delightful name for her.

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  7. She's an absolute beauty! I acquired a machine earlier this year that was built in the 40's and I haven't plugged it in yet. I hope you enjoy her! :)

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