New sewing machines

On Monday we went to our local auction and spotted several sewing machines, one was a treadle with an unusual machine in it. I checked the serial number when we got home and the machine is a Singer 206, the first zigzag machine made by Singer, and not electric. The machine dates to 1951 and has the Singer blue Centennial badge on it. I looked it up on the internet and found a review which said this model and the 306 and 319 should never have been made. I already had a 306 and love the chunky retro style and its cams for fancy stitches, that machine is electric. I decided to buy the machine and got it for the princely sum of £10.

I posted a message on ISMACS (International Sewing Machine Collectors Society) asking for opinions on the machine. All of the replies were positive and it seems the 206 is quite a little workhorse. With an industrial motor, they sold as industrial machines with no other modifictions. I will post some photos when I have taken some.

 

In addition, I bought a German hand crank (£18, more expensive than the treadle), absolutely stunning and in great condition. This one is to be cleaned up and put on eBay. The name 'New Silent is on the arm of the machine. I am trying to get some information from ISMACS as to the manufacturer. So it was a good week for machines. 

I put a 201 treadle on eBay yesterday. I sold 2 vintage typewriters on eBay tonight. I have another straight leg treadle to restore for next week with a Singer 15 in it. Treadles seem to be selling quite well on eBay at the moment. The extra money will come in handy for Christmas presents and the MOT for the car.

How time flies

It's quite a while since I posted a blog. We've been so busy lately, what with Phil going to fishing matches every week, auctions, visits to the vets (ouch), putting stuff on eBay.

We have sold two of the baby chickens, a cockerel and pullet to a lady in Buckinghamshire. She is very nice and her chickens have a really good setup so we think they will be very happy there. They are so big now, and Zinny is a super looking cockerel. What a pretty boy!

I have been spinning some of Lily's Leicester Longwool fleece. I have commisssions for 4 pairs of wristwarmers from Sue Bailey's work colleagues, so need to finish them before the next Spinners Guild meeting next Saturday. Busy weekend as we are going to Sarah's on the Sunday for the Herring Fest.

Tomorrow we are going to Sheilar's for Sunday lunch, she invited us on Friday after the Bond knitting machine course. I went to Nova Trims in Leicester with her on Tuesday. So much stuff for crafts, anything you can think of. She couldn't get the pink fur fabric someone had asked her for, so I took her to the Fabric Warehouse in Lee Circle. Of course they had it, they have most things. She also managed to get some check fabric, mustard fabric and some dark brown cotton for her Johnny Rotten baby dolls. I have to say the baby reborn dolls are quite scary.

I found some pretty baby cord in cream with red flowers, I think it will make a lovely dress for Rowan for Christmas. I need to find a pattern so I can work out how much fabric I need. They also have some crushed velvet which might be good for covering the plywood shelves in the cabinet I bought for Sarah's workshop.