Thursday, July 24, 2014

Vintage Singer sewing machine

A couple of months ago I came across a picture in a magazine (Chatelaine) which featured a small apartment and there was an old table made from a Vintage Singer Treadle Machine.  Naturally the important part is the base, the top was made of a tree slice. It still had the natural curve of the tree and it had been finished beautifully. Not quite like this but similar.


So imagine my excitement when coming home from Quilting a couple of weeks ago I came across one on the side of the road, just there for the taking. OMG I was so excited. I could barely pull over quick enough.

I wrestled with it trying to get it into my SUV (they weigh a ton) Finally a lady came along and offered to help. When I told her what I was going to do with it. She was thrilled she said that it belonged to her mother in law and she would be happy to think someone was going to use it.

Now I want to say right off that I would not take apart a good machine and table. We are talking a machine that in my mind is not salvageable and  covered in major rust. If I could find a good machine, I think I would use it but this is in really bad shape.

I started today taking apart the top, machine etc. and the only thing worth saving it the base and it is in wicked condition. I am really looking forward to working on it. It will need a lot of elbow grease, with lots of steel wool, sandpaper and perhaps a power tool or two. Finally a fresh coat of black rust proof paint.

There is a man at our local market who makes and sell beautiful wood pieces, bowls, and cutting boards I am going to see if he can help me by make a top for my treadle base and it is going to be a desk for me.

3 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

how wonderful for you!! I just saw another table using an old sewing machine base it couldn't have been a treadle as it was spread apart quite wide - I will need to keep an eye out, and looking forward to seeing yours finished - what a great find.

Jennifer said...

That was a lucky find!

Karen said...

My FIL has started making these tables. He has a sawmill where he cuts beautiful thick slabs for the tops.