vintage finds ...

I paid a visit to one of my favourite vintage/second-hand/antique shops the other day. I have been going to this shop since we moved to Melbourne about eight years ago - our first house was just down the road. I always find something fabulous here, which is why I have to limit my visits! The first find was a super amazing Comet Crystal toy sewing machine. I just love the design and the colour, and it still sews ... just "like mothers"!

I also got some of these nice old Willow pie tins (thanks Mum!). It's hard to find these in such good condition ...

I hope you've found some nice things lately too. Pop over here to see what others bloggers have found.
Happy Sunday!

my place and yours ... my collection ... vintage sewing machines

I'm joining in on the "my place and yours" fun over at Meet Me at Mikes for the first time ... how about you?

I collect lots of things ... I like old things ... things with a past, a story and charm. Today, I'm going to share my first serious collection - vintage sewing machines ...

It all started when my sister salvaged an old treadle sewing machine off our family property for my birthday about 10 years ago. The machine once belonged to my great aunt. The wood on the table was rotten, and the machine rusted beyond repair, but the cast iron base was lovely. Best of all, it was a WHITE sewing machine - an American brand, the same name as my maiden name. The addiction began. I still have the old machine in the shed, and I am currently sitting at the table I made from the cast iron treadle legs typing this blog post.

My rules for this collection are pretty simple - sewing machines must be hand crank or treadle (no electric models), they should preferably work, they must be lovely to look at, and there must be space to put them (this last one came from Mr Yardage - this from the man with every games console ever made - we both collect stuff!). I also don't have any Singers in my collection (yet) - not a rule, but I wanted to give the others a go and be a bit less predicable!

This machine is one of my favourites, and was my first aquisition. It's from a tiny antique shop in Handorf (South Australia) - it's German and still sews (once you get the hang of the hand crank!).

This one is also a favourite - a WHITE treadle in an art deco timber cabinet. It is in mint condition.

All in all, I have eight vintage machines - six on display in my home and two in the shed who need restoration (maybe when I retire??!). Five of the eight are WHITE sewing machines - I love them! This is definately an ongoing collection for me - I love the workmanship, the feel and the look of these old machines. To think that women 100 years ago made all of their clothes using one of these just amazes me.

Thanks to Kate at Fox's Lane for the brilliant theme, and Pip at Meet Me at Mikes for being a wonderful host!