NUTS! It's gobbledygook! I'll have to keep trying, I guess!

Annie

Well, I saw your new machine over on the antiques forum. It's a BEAUTY! I was a little startled to see it had a round bobbin.

Oh round bobbins have been around for a LONG time. Allen Wilson (later of the Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine Company) invented the round bobbin and the rotary mechanism back in 1849. The reason that it was displaced in popularity by the long bobbins was largely due to the marketing skill of Isaac Singer. Singer's long bobbin machines were simply promoted better. Singer eventually bought out Wheeler and Wilson and continued to make a version of the Wheeler and Wilson 9 (called a Singer 9 W) well into the first part of the 20th century, even though they'd developed their own round bobbin machine in 1879. More than you ever wanted to know about round bobbin machines, I bet! 8^)

Annie

Why don't you use photobucket. It is so easy. I prefer for pics to be included in the posting directly. If there is a link, it is another three to four minutes wait there are back.

No, no, no........not more than I'd ever want to know. I grew up and started sewing using treadles! My present treadle has a long bobbin. I remember when my father bought my Mama a brand new and very nice Necchi electric machine and cabinet in the late fifties. She was really disappointed because it had a round bobbin, lol, and never really liked it. He had to have been crestfallen. And I'm sure that all machines were round bobbin by then. She gave it to me years ago and I still sew on it occasionally. I am fascinated by sewing machines, and very surprised at that information. Keep telling us about the machines. It's really amazing that the technology hasn't changed all that much since the early days of the sewing machine.

I love hearing about the old machines too. I have an old Singer that belonged to my great aunt and then my mother. It was extremely well used but it's still pretty and I cherish it because it was theirs. I don't know anything about old machines and appreciate the lesson!

Carole: Check out topic "Trying to post a picture again". I got it to work that time. I like seeing the pix instantly, too.

Solstice: If you send me the serial number of your Singer, I can tell you the day it was commissioned.

Calliope: Don't get me started on old machines! It's WAY more than a hobby for me! One of my collector friends made us T-shirts that say "There's no 12 step plan for my addiction" with a lovely antique sewing machine on it.

Annie

I have three or four more old machines upstairs, one of them a hand crank. I'm going to have to look to see if they are singer, too. My treadle is an Ohio Farmer.

Thanks Annie! I'll check it this weekend and let you know.

Calliope: Your "Ohio Farmer" was most likely made by Goodrich, but may have been made by either Davis or Standard. I could probably tell if I saw a picture of it.

Annie

I love hearing about the old machines. Here's a picture of my electrified treadle. I love it! I use it mostly for bulky items since it has a larger throat and for leather. It's an industrial type machine and can handle the heavy stuff.

hi, i read your post about the fabric and thread stores in n.carolina. do they have a web site or address? i am very interested in them thanks. delores

Here you go Delores: They are both in Gastonia, just west of Charlotte.

www.maryjos.com (fabric) and www.longcreekmills.com (thread)

Annie

Jennifer--I have some friends who use these big boys for free-motion quilting. They really like all that room under the arm.

Annie

annie~ That was my original intent for this machine, however, it sits against a wall and there's no space to move it around to provide the needed table space. Also, I got a frame w/machine setup so I don't use it that often anyway.

It is nice to have around though!