A Tale of Two Sewing Machines

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 25 March 2006 20:12:51

We got the sewing machines down from the attic today. We have two because, just before we got married, mr b's great aunt E was moving out of her house into sheltered accomodation - a much smaller flat. We were setting up home at the time, so various bits of furniture which would otherwise have been sold came to us.

Also there were two sewing machines. As I said before, these got shown directly to the attic as I rarely do machine sewing. According to mr b, great aunt E had a tendency to buy random items every now and again even if she didn't need them. We assume this is why she had two sewing machines.

So. I investigated them this evening. One of them is a huge old Singer which has obviously been very well used and has done long service. I'm sure it's fairly straightforward to use but there is no instruction book with it, and the bobbin for the lower thread looks different to what I've used before so it would be a case of trial and error getting that sorted.

However, on first glance I was fairly sure that I'd be keeping the Singer and getting rid of the other one as it appears to be computerised and very complicated - I'd never suss out how to work it.

On closer investigation though, this evening, it appears this machine has never been used. There is a plastic pack with it, with the instruction manual, a how-to video and the original receipt. It cost £820!!!! And I would guess it was bought some time in the 70s or early 80s. I opened up the little drawer where all the bits & pieces like needles and screwdrivers are kept and they are all still sealed in their plastic wrapping. It was quite amazing to open it all up and see it in there.

One does wonder whether great aunt e was diddled out of a vast sum of money by a salesperson who knew a vulnerable old lady when they saw one, or whether she just one day decided she wanted a fancy schmancy machine but when she got it home decided her old Singer would do fine. Although I only met her a couple of times (she died late last year, in her late 90s) I would guess the latter. She was pretty confused as she got older but I would still find it hard to imagine anyone pursuading her to do something she didn't want to!

So I think the super-duper-computerised machine has found a home with us. Of course I can hardly wait to watch the video!

Anyone want an old Singer?