I have just read a post written by fellow Canadian quilter Gail Hunt about her collection of miniature/toy/small sewing machines. It reminded me that I too have a "collection" though small of miniature/toy/small sewing machines. Just three, but it is a start!
My daughter was given this one by her Grandmother. I seem to recall it sort of worked but it hasn't seen thread for well over 30 years. It is a Kay an El Sew Master. I am not sure where it came from but probably a yard sale or flea market knowing my Mother-in-Law!
Then I found this one at an antique store in Berwick, NS. The paint is in rough shape, it must have been really quite pretty when it was new. It is a Gold Medal Sewing Machine probably made in the late 1800's. The company was in Orange, Massachusetts, it was established in 1860 by Johnson, Clark & Co. to manufacture sewing machines. The company introduced it's Home Shuttle machine in 1870 which was subsequently redesigned and improved. In 1882 the firm was reorganised and became the New Home Sewing Machine Co. In 1927 the company was taken over by the Free Sewing Machine Co. who continued to use the New Home brand name but Free itself was taken over by the National Sewing Machine Co. in 1953.
The third one came from the estate of a quilt friend, it is a Casige brand which was made in Berlin, Germany probably soon after WWll.
I found this "dreamy" picture ages ago while browsing on Google. I have no idea who the woman in the picture is or where I found the picture (my apologies to whoever originally posted it) but she sure looks like my Mother-in-Law and I just had to save it. From the looks of it that is a Singer Sewing Machine, maybe a Featherweight? I must go and look at the back of mine and see if it is.
It has been interesting to Google these sewing machines and learn more about them but also I am amazed by the huge number of miniature/toy/small sewing machines there are out there. Now, I need to stop in to a few antique stores and see what I can find to add to my collection, 3 just doesn't seem like enough! Thanks Gail!