The Elna When you start reading about the history of sewing machines you can’t miss the brilliant Elna Grasshopper electric free arm machine. It is so much smaller and lighter than the old cast iron machines. I understand it must be the first electric lightweight free arm household machine. This one was built in 1946 according to the […]
Frister & Rossmann Saxonia High body This is a high body Saxonia type sewing machine by Frister & Rossmann in a coffin type case. I have been looking for this type of machine for a while now, so what a pleasant surprise! Very different from the Singer type machines. There are obvious similarities, but interesting […]
Hestia The script on this machine shows “Hestia“. Some sources say this is manufactured by “Helvetia”. This machine is complete and seems healthy and free. The cabinet is worn, but still very nice. In the little cubby I found a bill for some tea towels dated 1941, so I assume this machine was manufactured before […]
National Helvetia Fiddlebase tells me “Helvetia” was a Swiss manufacturer in Luzern from 1895 to 1966 also connected to the development of the Dutch Fridor machines. This machine seems to have been manufactured a little before 1966. It is a very nice reciprocating shuttle machine. The colour is very similar to our Fridor.
The Tailor bird (ca 1950) This Tailor Bird is a very strange bird. To me it looks as if someone decided to re-design the sewing machine to be lighter and less complicated. The machine recesses into the box nicely and the crank is connected to the machine with a rubber band. The Tailor Bird Sewing […]
Jones & Co. Serpentine or Swan neck (ca. 1891) This old lady was probably manufactured around 1892. It is obvious why this is called a “Serpentine“or “Swan neck“machine.
Weird and ingenious Ward Arm & Platform sewing machine was patented in 1873 and produced from 1875 to 1895. By Edward Ward London . The platform hinges downwards to convert the machine into a free arm.
You wouldn’t believe that this contraption is a new “Cobbler” sewing machine we bought only a few years ago. It is a Chinese version of a “Patent Elastique” or “Claes patcher” leather sewing machine. Though it looks very crude it sews right through thick leather. I used it to sew the canvas roof for the […]