Collector Restores Old Sewing Machines
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“What’s sad is that people look at old sewing machines as worthless and throw them in the dump. But they can still sew so well,” says Carol Leach. The old machines, such as her 1910 Singer Model 23 Red Eye, easily sew through thick denim seams that her modern sewing machines can’t handle. She has restored more than 30 sewing machines that fill a room in her Statesville, N.C., home.
“I like the older ones, from the 1950’s and older. I have one hand-crank (Sheeba from Pakistan) and my grandmother’s treadle - the only one she sewed on – so that’s my pride and joy,” Leach adds.
Other machines were purchased at auctions and eBay or found on Craigslist or Facebook groups of people interested in collecting.
Often the main work to restore them is to remove rust. To preserve the finish and beautiful decals, Leach doesn’t use harsh chemicals. Sometimes just soaking the machine in sewing machine oil followed by rubbing is enough. Non-pumice GoJo cleaner is also safe for sewing machines. Metal parts (not parts with a finish) can be cleaned with 000 steel wool or Evapo-Rust.
“Some machines are locked up. With a lot of oil and wiggling, you can usually get them running again. You can kerosene soak some of them. It releases rust and frees up stuck machines,” she adds.
When there are problems with the motor, Leach can fix some electrical issues but when she can’t, her retired electrical engineer husband steps in. If he can’t do it, she can contact Matthew E. D’Azzo, a Florida resident well known for motor repair (mr.sewmachine@gmail.com).
Many of Leach’s machines are Singers with a variety of models with different designs and decals. Some of them, called Royal or Deluxe, are Japanese versions based on the Singer design given to that country after WWII.
Leach is also a big fan of Singer featherweights, which were made into the 1960’s. The small workhorse machines are finding a resurgence with quilters because they are lighter to take to retreats and workshops. Mostly black, a few models were made in colors, and Leach has a white one with a greenish tint. Prices for the featherweights are coming down, and they are easier to find, unless they are rare models.
“My top dream machine is a Featherweight 222 with a free arm. They are very rare and sell for over $1,000,” she says. “I’d also like to have the Singer Lotus.”
She also has two toy sewing machines, a Ruby (a Japanese clone) and other models from Domestic by Kenmore and The Free Sewing Company.
Though Leach keeps most of her machines, she plans to sell some after they are restored. For people interested in learning more or finding older machines, she suggests joining Facebook groups for collectors and specific machines such as Featherweights.
As a new collector, she says she learns a lot from others who share her passion for saving old sewing machines that still get the job done.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Carol Leach, 223 Gaston Ct., Statesville, N.C. 28625 (ph 704 883-8416; cnshipp@aol.com).
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Collector Restores Old Sewing Machines FARM HOME Clothes “What’s sad is that people look at old sewing machines as worthless and throw them in the dump But they can still sew so well ” says Carol Leach The old machines such as her 1910 Singer Model 23 Red Eye easily sew through thick denim seams that her modern sewing machines can’t handle She has restored more than 30 sewing machines that fill a room in her Statesville N C home “I like the older ones from the 1950’s and older I have one hand-crank Sheeba from Pakistan and my grandmother’s treadle - the only one she sewed on – so that’s my pride and joy ” Leach adds Other machines were purchased at auctions and eBay or found on Craigslist or Facebook groups of people interested in collecting Often the main work to restore them is to remove rust To preserve the finish and beautiful decals Leach doesn’t use harsh chemicals Sometimes just soaking the machine in sewing machine oil followed by rubbing is enough Non-pumice GoJo cleaner is also safe for sewing machines Metal parts not parts with a finish can be cleaned with 000 steel wool or Evapo-Rust “Some machines are locked up With a lot of oil and wiggling you can usually get them running again You can kerosene soak some of them It releases rust and frees up stuck machines ” she adds When there are problems with the motor Leach can fix some electrical issues but when she can’t her retired electrical engineer husband steps in If he can’t do it she can contact Matthew E D’Azzo a Florida resident well known for motor repair mr sewmachine@gmail com Many of Leach’s machines are Singers with a variety of models with different designs and decals Some of them called Royal or Deluxe are Japanese versions based on the Singer design given to that country after WWII Leach is also a big fan of Singer featherweights which were made into the 1960’s The small workhorse machines are finding a resurgence with quilters because they are lighter to take to retreats and workshops Mostly black a few models were made in colors and Leach has a white one with a greenish tint Prices for the featherweights are coming down and they are easier to find unless they are rare models “My top dream machine is a Featherweight 222 with a free arm They are very rare and sell for over $1 000 ” she says “I’d also like to have the Singer Lotus ” She also has two toy sewing machines a Ruby a Japanese clone and other models from Domestic by Kenmore and The Free Sewing Company Though Leach keeps most of her machines she plans to sell some after they are restored For people interested in learning more or finding older machines she suggests joining Facebook groups for collectors and specific machines such as Featherweights As a new collector she says she learns a lot from others who share her passion for saving old sewing machines that still get the job done Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Carol Leach 223 Gaston Ct Statesville N C 28625 ph 704 883-8416; cnshipp@aol com
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