Antique Sewing Machines
I collect, restore and use antique sewing machines, primarily the treadles and hand cranks of the period from the late 1800's to the late 1950's. This was, in my opinion, the golden age of sewing machines, when the basic technology had been developed and made incredibly reliable, but before mass marketing and the demand that additional features, which in fact detracted from reliability, had ruined the designs. Machines today, even the very best and most expensive, are incredibly poorly designed and made, and simply will not last.
A lot of machines come and go through my shop, but occassionally I get one that I consider outstanding and i picture it here to share with the sewing machine collector group, Treadle On. I discovered this morning that it's been quite awhile since I paid any attention here, but I'll try to do better.
Singer 191U Parlor Treadle - This was maybe the last Class 15 home machine Singer offered. They were produced, as I understand it, in the Japanese and Brazilian factories. I lucked into this one at a liquidation sale store in Everett, WA. It must have also been very late in terms of Singer still offering a standard model in a treadle. I have two 191U's. The other was an electric head when I got it, but quickly found a home in a treadle. This one is original throughout.
Florence Parlor Treadle - This was a very nice parlor treadle, actually made to the White FR (Family Rotary) patents.