Playing Sewing Machine Detective

If you have read a lot of the previous entries you know one of the things I enjoy about collecting machines is finding out their history.  Well today I had an internet adventure thanks to the 1953 201-2.

Dragging Old Singers Into The Post WWII Era - Revco Reverse

For a while now I've been toying with the idea of getting a Revco reverse regulator for a machine.  I've seen a few around, but unfortunately I would have had to buy yet another 66 to get one.  So I passed on them.  Then last week this one showed up on Ebay.

They're Everywhere - Another 66-1

I was happy, really.  I had just gotten the 1883 IF cleaned up.  I had someone give me another Singer treadle.  And though it wasn't the correct one for the IF, I figured I could make it work.  Then, dangit, then this shows up on Craigslist today for $50.

More Reading about Singer MFG Co and Isaac Singer

Two books to recommend for people who like sewing machines (Singers specifically) and history.  Both are available from Amazon (Kindle Unlimited if you have it). Click on the images to go to the Amazon page for each.

 

Don Bissell's book gives a great overview of the growth of the Singer MFG Co.

Alex Askaroff's book is the swashbuckling, though not always flattering, tale of Isaac Singer, the man.  

Some Light Reading - 1951 Cabinet Catalog and 1952 301 Brochure

I mentioned previously that when I bought the 301 it came with some of the original documentation.  The user manual is available at ISMACS so I won't be posting that.  But I haven't seen the 1951 cabinet catalog anywhere.  Also I haven't seen a complete good copy of the original 301 sales pamphlet.  So here we go.

First up the cabinets:

Adventure! 1884 Improved Family

In the previous post I mentioned that we had been on the road over the holidays.  We had driven down to Florida to visit with the wife's family there.  We left Connecticut on Dec 24th, drove down the coast, stopping off to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial on the North Carolina Outer Banks.  We headed back on 31st and went inland up through Knoxville to avoid I95.  We got home New Year's night.  No where during that time did I take a few minutes to check to see what was posted on Craigslist on the route.  If I had I would have seen this right on our way in Lexington.

 

My Wife is so Awesome! Singer-Kilbowie Shipping Crate!

Wow.  This is a truly 'back of the rack' find. I had seen it on Craigslist and kinda mentioned it in passing to the wife.  I mean it's just an old box right?  But people growing up in the 70s and 80s might remember Peaches Record Stores and those Peaches shipping crates to put albums in?  I mean it kind of reminded me of those.  While probably not something that younger folks could relate to, I thought it was interesting in a nostalgic way, but not something I would buy for myself.

The wife snuck out one day with other plans.  On Christmas morning (January 2nd actually, we were on the road during the actual holidays) our son disappeared  towards the end of gift unwrapping and showed back up with this huge package.  They were both surprised when I couldn't guess what it was.  I really had no clue that she would get it.

Another Before And After

I was sewing some 1.1oz ripstop nylon and insultex again to day.  When I needed a break before setting fire to the whole project I decided to give the 66's badge a quick polishing with some Eagle One Never Dull.  I was pretty impressed with the results.  Here's the before and after, of course.

It's hard for the camera to really do justice.  The badge is not washed out like it appears, it has a nice brass glow.  Though the camera does pick up some areas where I can give it a bit more polishing.  I'm really happy I got the badge removal figured out and didn't have to damage it or the pins removing them.

Also if you like old sewing machines here's a link for a film to watch

- Birth of a Sewing Machine - 

It's seventy minutes of silent footage of the Singer plant at Kilbowie shot in 1934 and is hosted by the National Library of Scotland.

Back to sewing ripstop.  Grrr