sewbizgirl

Here in the South people seem to like the look of that little bit of paint left on the finish-- don't know what it's called, but at flea markets I see a lot of stuff that was refinished but the old paint residues left in the wood grain. It's kind of a distressed look and very popular here. It's not traditional for a sewing machine, but neither are purple and blue automotive paint for the heads (sorry, Billy!). Sometimes you have to make the best of what you have...

I think they control how much of the paint coat to leave/remove by wiping down with mineral spirits, but don't quote me on that.

BoJangles

Wow, that is a novel idea. I think, I know what you are talking about. My SS and his wife did that to the kitchen cabinets in a house they had. I didn't like the look, though. But, I am a stubborn person, so I will try to get my W&G's cabinet back as close to the original as I can -- this will be a slow endeavor. I am not complaining, I love the old machines, it will be a labor of love - a slow labor of love. It will also be a learning experience for me as I have never stripped and refinished before.

Nancy

BoJangles

That hasn't been ruled out yet! But, that W&G's would not look good in a red cabinet -- if it were a Redeye?????

Nancy

Glenn

Nancy please no water it will loosen the veener because it was glued down with hyde glue(old glue pot type). You may wipe down the piece with turps or denatured alcohol only. This will neutralize the stripper so stain and shellac will stick to the wood. The brass brush is a small parts brush about the size of a toothbrush, the brass bristle will not hurt the wood since they are softer than a regular wire brush. The finish with white specks in the grain is known as pickling and it not appropriate for sewing machine cabinets. Some people call it white washing and was very popular for oak floors and kitchen cabinets. If all the white paint can't be removed you can use a gel stain this will cover the white much better than regular stain. I know it is no fun stipping paint from oak because of the open grain. I have even used dental picks to get the stain out of the grain but very time consuming. Glenn

jljack

Thanks, Nancy!! I'm considering names for her. Good luck with your cabinet refinishing. I stripped an old upright piano once, with the same desire to get down to the bare wood with no paint remaining. It took weeks, literally, carefully scrubbing with steel wool and denatured alcohol. I did get it all out, and then had to sell the piano as we were moving and had no room for it. So, there you go!! LOL

dirty1mom

Does anyone know anything about and I quote "new domestic shuttle treadle sewing machine"? Craigslist owner says it works, the pictures show a beautiful machine and coffin cabinet. Wondering if I should spend the &75.00 on her. What do you all think?

dirty1mom

That should be $75.oo.

sewbizgirl

I would go and look! Make sure the shuttle and bobbin aren't missing.

IT_Nana

I inherited my grandmother's sewing machine many years ago. I never knew her as she passed away at the age of 52 long before I was born. She and my grandpa homesteaded in northwestern Kansas and started their family in a sod house. As typical of many farm wives of that era, she sewed clothes for the entire family as well as raise a garden and chickens and cook huge meals for farm hands. I don't know how those women did it with none of the conveniences we have.

Anyway, this sewing machine is a Free brand and still worked the last time I tried it. Just yesterday I re-arranged my sewing room/guest room and set it up rather than having it folded up with the machine inside. Do you have any idea how old this is? The drawers all work, but I know there is a front piece missing in the middle. I've looked and looked for that piece, and one time about 10 years ago found a machine like it in an antique shop, but we were 1,000 miles from home in a small car and no way to transport it.

As you can see, this machine was very well used and well loved. My mother told me that her Mom gave it a fresh coat of varnish every year! My husband plans to refinish it...he said the wood should be very well preserved under all that varnish!

I'd appreciate any info you can provide.

******

I forgot to mention that Mom told me that my grandmother could look at a picture of a dress and cut a pattern to fit her daughters....very talented and creative. I wish I could have known her.

featherweight

Beautiful machine and cabinet. I am sure someone will be able to help you with dating it.