Is this the beginning of a collection?

I have never really had any desire to own any vintage machines although I do confess that I do think feather weights are cute and could be useful machines to own, due to their size and capabilities and have at certain times thought that owning one could be neat. I do like treadles and I did for a time look after my aunties one while she was living in another city. I do have a treadle base that I want to put a top on and use as a table and that is sitting in the shed waiting for its turn for attention.

Often when I am sewing or ironing I listen/watch Bonnie Hunter and her quiltcam and Bonnie just loves the older machines and clearly her attitudes are rubbing off. One day at work I was bored in my break and decided to check out trade me and just have a look to see what was available, particularly in our area. I was surprised to find a Singer crankhandle machine not far from us. I put it on my watch list and thought nothing more about it. Following the auction I got a fixed price offer which I found myself accepting. So I am the very proud owner of 1922 Singer crank handle which I have called Cranky. She sews like a dream. We collected her on the Friday night and over that weekend I put together a quick quilt top using bonus squares from a previous quilt. I thought it would be a good project to check Cranky out, plus use up some scraps. When we collected the machine they told us that they were selling the machine for his mother who purchased it second hand and the machine came out to New Zealand in 1965 with the family.

I was so impressed with the experience with Cranky that I thought I would check out what else was available and being sold. I was quite surprised with the amount of machines that were available and the condition that some if them were in. I put several on my watch list and got notifications when the auctions were due to close, as you do. For one particular machine the bidding was very low and the auction was due to close in the next 30 minutes - so I put a bid on and expected to get out bided. I waited and waited and the auction closed and I had purchased another machine. There wasn't a lot of information on the auction about this machine and only two photos but the machine did look to be in reasonable condition. Because I didn't think I would buy the machine I hadn't asked any questions clarifying the condition and parts etc, so I purchased this machine blind so to speak, with the attitude that the purchase price was good  and I could absorb any costs getting this girl up and running.

According to the serial number she was made in 1950 but the badge on the front says 1851 - 1951. She does have a motor (no belt at this stage) she has a light, her cord is a little frayed and needing some rewiring and she has a knee control. She has some attachments but has quite a few missing, no manual and is missing the model number badge on the front (I am assuming she had one) and no key for the case. At this stage I am not totally sure what her model number is. She was very stiff but I have oiled her and she has freed up a lot. Until I know her model number I can't ascertain what she should or shouldn't have and what she needs. At this stage I have not plugged her in and tested the motor. We collected her from Havelock North in the Hawkes Bay and the previous owner is relocating to Christchurch and I only had one day available to collect her. Not a lot of information was given when we picked her up so I know nothing of her history.

She is currently unnamed and is still sitting on the end of the dining table waiting for me to have more time to sort things for her. To be honest one of the reasons is that she is so heavy and I am not sure where to put her where I can still fiddle with her, so until then on the dining table she stays.

Now what can I name her ....

I will ponder on that - until next time happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree