Singer Sewing Machine Back in the Day

It's Memory Monday time.  I remember when my Mom would sit at a machine like this and make my school clothes.  This is a singer treadle sewing machine that now sits in my office a short distance from my computer.  It belonged to my Aunt Mary, Dad's sister who passed at the age of 92.  The machine is actually still threaded sorta...the bobbin.  The machine belonged to my Grandmother before my Aunt.  We're not certain if Grandma purchased it new or it was passed down from another family member.  Searching using the serial number it appears this machine dates back to 1910, and is therefore 103 years old.  I believe with some oiling I could in fact still use it.

I learned to sew, not on this machine; but the one like it my Mother had.  You got exercise with your legs sewing in those days as you kept the machine running by pumping the pedal with your feet.

Having this in my possession makes me smile, it makes me remember My Mother, My Grandmother and My Aunt and a different life then we now all have.

My Mom

My Aunt Mary

My Grandmother.  She and Grandpa sitting in front of their house.  I only have a few pictures of my Grandma.  She must not have liked to have her picture taken.

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Oh if Singer could Talk

Artie Viola (Roseboom) and Charles Albert Mader on their wedding day. These are my grandparents, Dad's parents. Grandma was born April 2, 1897, and died Oct 7, 1982. She and Grandpa got married July 24th, 1918.

I don't know when, or where this sewing machine was purchased. But This Singer Treadle Sewing Machine has been in my family a good long while. Using the serial number, my brief research indicates the machine dates back to 1910.

My Dad doesn't remember if his Mother purchased the machine new or from someone else. Many items have been made on this machine through the years. My Dad's older sister, Aunt Mary learned to sew on this machine and had it in her position for many years.

Grandma and Dad in 1944 when he was home on leave from The Navy (Seabees).

Aunt Mary, High School or shortly thereafter. Aunt Mary wasn't one to have pictures taken, so I only have a few of her. She was a tall woman, a big woman before time took it's toll. She cared for her invalid husband for many many years which also caused her to age. She lived a very simple life, and was truly very old school. She lived her whole adult life in a log cabin.

This simple 2 bedroom log cabin seemed a perfect place for a vintage Singer Sewing Machine to call home for something like 60 years. My Uncle Al built this log cabin. Aunt Mary passed away just prior to her 92nd birthday, about this time last year, after spending the last 2 years of her life away from her beloved log cabin. Rest in peace, Aunt Mary. You are now home.

I don't know when this picture was taken, but Uncle Al died in 1995 so this was well before his multiple years of illness and invalidism. Mary with her white gloves on. I believe this may have been an anniversary picture. In later years, she was quite thin.

I'm sure if this machine could talk it could tell many fascinating stories about my Grandmother, My Aunt, and more. Look at the beautiful carvings on the side of the machine.

This vintage sewing machine is still partially threaded, see the white thread coming up from the bobbin? This is how it currently looks, as it sits in my office/craft room. It's been partially dusted; but needs to be washed. My work in progress is to clean it up with some Murphy's Oil Soap for the wood, and probably just soapy water for the metal parts. To give a little lift.

The treadle portion before we moved it from Aunt Mary's log cabin. Notice the leather strap that operates the treadle....it has 1 staple in it where the cord apparently ripped from use. My Mother taught me to sew on the same type of sewing machine. She too had a staple, several...as I think back on hers. My Mother, like My Aunt and Grandmother used her machine often. I think Mom actually sewed more, as she made almost all my clothes in my growing up years. Dad traded in her Treadle Singer Sewing Machine for a newer model; so I'm thrilled to have this one in my position. Such a nice memory of my Mother, my Aunt, and my Grandmother.

Here's it is in it's current home. Sorry for the poor picture here with the light. Snapped this photo quickly this morning to add to the post. The wood is cracked in a few places, there's some minimal rust on the iron works, and some wood trim missing from the top right drawer; but I think she's in pretty good shape for someone/something a 102 years old.

My work in progress here is cleaning her up as much as possible, looking through old pictures in hopes of finding some where it was photographed showing it's place in my family history.

Work continues on my feather and fan afghan. Hope you all enjoy the day. WIPW badges and links in sidebars, please join us.