Sunday 8 May 2011

Iron Lady . . .

 I recently bought this old lady in a boot sale....She didn't come with a manual, so am working thing out for myself with a little help from the net.... Mr Hollywood fitted a new belt that makes the treadle work... I've given her a bit of a clean and oiled her. (Not sure what to clean her with...don't want to damage her)...I fiddled and faddled with her yesterday..... I got all emotional when I managed to get the bobbin to wind on... tears of happiness...yes daft I know.... It's quite difficult to get the hang of treadling in the right direction. I was sewing backwards and forwards on the same stitch.... ugg.... but now with practice I can make it sew in one direction with a little bip to do a back stitch...I've worked out how to make the stitches long or short... only problem now is the tension on the bobbin just can't get it right.... I've adjusted the screw on the shuttle... so if any of you have any tips....I would be really grateful....
I looked on the Singer site and from her serial number she was made in Scotland in 1912... she has probably spent all her life in a farm house in France.....the stories she could tell...the iron lady was obviously used and loved (she's a bit battered and worn in places) but then aren't we all the older we get.  She has been idle for a long time.... but now she is springing into action again... I have a project in mind for her... so she needs to sort that loose stitching out...pronto... Will reveal my new project in a few days...... for now I'm popping over to Sunday Sketches to see what everyone has been upto....

13 comments:

Marlene said...

Great buy, she looks like a real trooper. Wish I could help but I am not a seamstress and know very little about sewing.

Morph Waffle said...

Oh my gosh, that is so cool! And super cool that it works too!

Christine said...

have fun with your iron lady!

Sinderella's Studio said...

Beautiful and what fun... had one that was slightly newer than that for quite awhile - I think I actually liked sewing on that simple machine verses the one I have now.
enjoy!
dana

EVA said...

I have one of these in my hall but only for decor. It has two drawers on each side though. Fun purchase and good luck!!

Tammie Lee said...

beautiful and awesome that you got it running!

MS Raghav said...

nice

Heather said...

oh this is neat. my grandmother had one of these in her home, too. they are so cool -
i hope you are enjoying your mother's day! xoxo

Joni Nickrent said...

How fun...my Mom had one similar...brings back memories!

sweet limes said...

I am swooning here Catherine! I want a working treadle machine so desperately but you just can't find them here without some insane price tag attached. Best of luck getting the tension figured out!

Deanna said...

What a great find. My grandmother had a treadle machine and I wish that I had know then how much I would have loved to have that now. I was a teenager when they moved my grandmother to a newer apartment and they got rid of it. :(

Cowgirl Red said...

I'm in love with her too. I want to wrap my arms around her and give her a big hug. Xoxo. Terah

Clare said...

she is so beautiful - i know many people that still use the hand singers here is South Africa as electricity is an issue in the rural areas.