Isn't she a beauty? She's an 1851 Wheeler and Wilson No. 9, and she's in wonderful condition for her advanced age. Hardly a mark on her :*)
I have wanted a treadle machine since I began quilting back in 2006. Every time I saw one at a flea market or yard sale, I looked to see if it was "The One," but so far none were able to come home with me. They were either in terrible condition or the owner wanted too much money for them. I even tried to have my grandmother's old electric Singer converted to a treadle, but our local treadle expert in these parts told me it had a "potted motor" which made it impossible to convert.
Then my friend Amie sent out an email to everyone in the Music City Guild that she had one in great condition that she wanted to give away! Really? For free??? Could this be the one? I called her so fast my head is still spinning and told her I wanted it! On my way home from my daughter's house yesterday, I stopped off in Murfreesboro and met this little lady for the first time. It was love at first sight!
We have to tighten up her belt a little (apparently she's lost some weight recently - maybe it's the heat?), but Amie says she sews beautifully. I can't wait to get her in her permanent spot and try her out :*)
I looked up the most popular names in the 1850's, and I really wanted to name her Eliza, because she reminded me of black gabardine dresses and all the stuffy, no-nonsense proper-ness of ladies in the Victorian era. But she kept arguing with me and telling me No, her name is Sophie. Saucy little minx, isn't she? Apparently she's not as stuffy or proper as appearances might suppose. (It's really not a good sign for me when she is already winning our battles!)
She has these accessories with her....
I just simply find it amazing that they made such inventive accessories that early in the machine era! And frankly, I think some of them look more like instruments of medieval torture than innocent little accessory feet. I'm anxious to look them up and see what they will do. And Amie included 6 new needles which I understand are pretty rare themselves and very hard to find.
There's even an Original owner's manual. Price - 5 cents! LOL!!! I think I may really NEED an owner's manual for this little smarty-pants, don't you?
Thanks so much Amie for my new lady!
And Welcome Home Miss Sophie!
I'm so delighted you decided to come live with us:*)
Linking this post up with a new Linky Party over at Live a Colorful Life:
Hugs & Blessings,
Teresa
=^..^=
