my own little sewing museum

I didn't intentionally set out to collect old sewing machines, but they're so gorgeous and so easy to bring home, even if that means talking Hubby into loading a treadle into the back of the minivan when it's already full of kids and groceries.



The sewing machine I used all through high school was originally my great grandmother's. The story is that she bought it from a door to door salesman. I used it for years until I got married and got a job and it eventually got packed away and almost forgotten until I started to drool over pictures of pretty vintage machines on the internet and realized that I had one myself.

That machine was probably Great Grandma's newest one. She also had a Singer treadle that sat in our living room for most of my childhood. I love treadles and always wanted one for our house.

So I got this one. It's a pretty piece of furniture and I think it's missing some pieces. You can read its story here.


Except for my Featherweight and another old machine head that I picked up for three bucks at an estate sale to save it from the dumpster, I thought my collection of old machines was complete.  Then I found this treadle at a garage sale. It had belonged to the seller's mother in law and has all of the parts and the instruction manual and I'm told that it works. Did I mention that it was twenty bucks?


My very wonderful husband loaded her up and brought her home without even reminding me how many machines have followed me home over the years.

This one, which is circa 1875 and might belong in a real museum, isn't mine. Grandma found it at a yard sale at the end of the day and adopting sewing machines just because they're pretty seems to run in the family.  Someday I should show you my mom's collection.

Beth over at Love Laugh Quilt suggested that we share our own little sewing museums. I can't wait to see what everyone else is saving because it's old and wonderful. I'm also linking up to Time Travel Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Vintage Thingie Thursday, Share Your Cup, and Ivy and Elephants.