I've just recently become interested in vintage and antique sewing machines. Not in just collecting them, but also in using them. I'm finding that they are so much better made than the new, improved plastic ones with all the bells and whistles.

Two things really surprised me:
1)I found that most of Singer's (for instance) attachments, were used on machines 100 years ago. Why did I assume these were invented relatively recently for use on only the 'modern' machines?
2)My sewing machine dealer told me with great pride, that my new Elna would still be sewing away in ten years. Gee - that means I could have bought several vintage machines that are still sewing after 100 years, for the same price! You almost can't kill those things.

Here are a few photographs of my small, but growing collection

Jones Medium C.S. treadle w/Queen Alexandra decal Serial Number 98833 Circa 1900-1910 Manufactured in North Manchester, England It came with the original manual, 3 shuttles, 5 bobbins, a binder, quilter, 4 hemmers and a shuttle tension screwdriver.

Singer Model 99K handcrank Serial Number Y2303516 1925 Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland It came with the original manual, 5 bobbins, a binder, foot hemmer, seam guage and the large screwdriver.

Singer Model 201K handcrank Serial Number EC851510 1940 Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland It came with the original manual, 6 bobbins, a binder, quilter, adjustable hemmer, tucker, gatherer, and the large screwdriver.

Singer Model 221K Featherweight Serial Number EE861595 1947 Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland It came with 1 bobbin, a foot hemmer, an adjustable hemmer, a gatherer, and a ruffler.

My Vintage Pincushions