My son, Mick, and I stopped at a few yard sales on Wednesday. This is a machine I found at our first stop.It is a Kenmore Model 117-552. From what little research I have had time to do, these were made in the 1930's. I haven't plugged it in yet to see if it works or not. I thought I would clean it up first and have DH oil and lube it well. I had never seen one like it before.
The cabinet is in really rough shape but maybe I can get my woodworker DB to take a look at it.
I think it was an interesting find. Maybe not even worth the $10 I paid. But I really like the look of this machine. It is so different than any antique machine I have seen.Mick thought we needed to go back to town yesterday so he could purchase a Zenith radio he had seen at one of the yard sales. So off we went again. lol
After we had gotten to town he decided against the purchase of the radio.
I guess I should tell you that on Labor Day weekend there is a huge Antique Flea Market in Vernon. Vernon is about 18 miles from us. There are also yard sales at almost every house on the stretch of highway between North Vernon and Vernon. Some of these yard sales were already open on Wednesday.
We were at the last yard sale that we were going to yesterday. I had decided to wait in the truck. Mick looks around quite a while. The owners had stuff completely around their house. I wait and I wait and I was beginning to think he was buying everything they had. Then I hear him, "Mom! Mom!". And he is waving to me to come up there where he is at. I get up there and he said, " I bought you that for $5!" This is what he bought me---
I looked at it and thought what do I need with a sewing machine cabinet with no drawers and in awful shape.
Then I took the lid off of it! There was a New Home Treadle sewing machine under that lid. I knew I had raised him right! lol
I can't wait to get this one cleaned up! All the parts still move and the shuttle and bobbin are still in the machine. It is missing a belt but I have already checked out some websites where you can purchase those.
I will have to check with my woodworking DB and see what he can do with the cabinet.
I won't be able to go with Mick to the huge Vernon Antique Flea Market on Monday, but I think I have him trained to look for those old sewing machines now. Maybe he will find me that Singer Featherweight I desperately want.
Now, for my last find! No, not another machine but fabric this time. There is a Quilt Shop in Madison called L & L Yard Goods. I go there every so often. I usually go to Sharynn's in North Vernon since that is where I go to get groceries and do the banking. But my Mom had asked me to pick up a certain fabric at L&L for her so I had to go. L&L has some awesome Stash Builder bags.
These are gallon size bags loaded with fabric for $6 each. I had to buy two. lol I opened one bag up and pulled out a 1 1/2 yard cut of fabric. That alone was worth the $6. I might share with my Mom since she is the reason I went to begin with.
Now you must understand why I didn't have time to post yesterday. All of this plus cutting and hanging tobacco. I am hoping I can get some sewing done today but I don't know how much. I have to go to North Vernon to do the banking and get groceries. I am sure there will be even more yard sales today. I better leave Mick at home so I don't spend all day in town. lol
Don't forget to leave a comment so you can have your name in the drawing for the Fat Quarter (see a previous post about that)!
Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
6 comments:
Rhonda, what awesome finds at the yard sales. The second machine is so cool. I hope you find the Singer Featherweight...I have one of those! Great finds, I must say!
I am sew jealous! I had paid $55 for the singer treadle that I found, and I thought that was a steal! You two did awesome!!!
You are one very lucky lady to have such a wonderful son to purchase you the most amazing sewing machine. I have been on a lookout for treadle machine for a few years. But never in right spots I guess. ;-)
I have a Kenmore 117-552....it was my grandmother's. Did you oil and lube yours? Would you be able to tell me how to do it? It probably hasn't been used in 20 years.
Thanks so much!
dlicorish@verizon.net
i have kenmore 117-552 and i got it from my mother-in-law who bought it in 1949, new from sears. so it can't be from the 30's.
to lube it you need to drop oli in all visible little holes. i counted 12 outside, mostly on top. and when you lift it out and put on the side- 11 more around shafts.also once in a blue moon - put a drop on your finger and run around shuttle, center pin and 'race'(the round thing that holds the shuttle).
Have you tried the kenmore yet. I was wondering if this will work to sew leather I make knife sheaths and my dad found the same machine and asked if I wanted it . will it sew leather Thanks steve
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