Lucky Month

I have been very lucky this month. Maybe because it's my birth month or I just happened to be at the right places at the right time, either way I feel fortunate.

I've added to my collection of antique sewing machines. I'm not sure why I'm attracted to old machines but I am. It may have started with my Grandmother's treadle or just my love of any antique. Well my collection has grown a bit more this last week.
When I saw this wonderful coffin box I just had to look inside! I knew it was going to hold something fabulous and I wasn't disappointed.

It holds a 1911 hand crank Singer Sphinx.
I have always wanted a hand crank because I like to think that if the power goes out I'll still be able to sew. Honestly that hasn't made me use my treadle but that's the thought process behind this purchase.

An added plus to this machine, besides paying less than the asking price, is that it has a shuttle bobbin. This is also a first in my collection which excites me. But I'm excited to receive appliances as gifts, I'm weird like that.

Machine two was a total impulse buy. I was on a roll that day. First it was a yard sale table that we had to remove the legs to even get it near my tiny car. Then I had to make room for the coffin case in the trunk with those legs. The table top had to ride in the backseat, good thing it was a tri-fold top!
Anyway, I thought since I already had a machine in the trunk, I might as well add another.

It was hidden in a dark corner. It's a bit more worn than it looked in the store but when the seller was willing to take 30% less, I had to save it and add it to my collection.

Unfortunately, I know nothing about it's origins. It's a Damascus Electric which may have been made by Montgomery Wards.
I bought it primarily for the pretty decals, so oh well!

Machine three is the best, the machine I'm always on the look out for. But I didn't want to pay more than $200, I'm cheap. I wanted a deal and I got one.

For Mother's Day, we went to a antique flea market / car show. This was my one request for Mother's Day/ Birthday. My boys agreed and off we went. I even stated that I was only bring $200 with me and that I didn't need anything except a featherweight.

The boys went off to look at the cars and I browsed the flea market. The first half of the stalls were a bust, nothing I needed/wanted. I turned around and headed the other way. Just as I came across the boys I spied a little black box atop a dresser. I zeroed in, cut people off as I crossed the pathway and grabbed that little box. Opened it and... breathed a big sigh of elation. Here it was, almost. Now to play coy.

The sticker was $230, at bit more than I wanted to pay but still a good price. But come on this was a flea market and we all know that vendors expect haggling.
The vendor approached me (I may not have been as coy as I thought). He asked if I knew anything about sewing machines and I confessed that I did just not this one. I went over that machine with a sharp eye. I removed the stuck bobbin and pulled out the old polyester thread which was knotted under the plate. I looked through the box of attachment (really I could care less about the attachments and feet. To me it was all about the machine). I even went so far as to unscrew the bottom plate. It was all good except there was no pedal/power cord and I had to assume that the machine would actually run. I had to take a gamble and as you can see I did.
I told him that it was a deterrent with no pedal and that the belt was worn (all cosmetic, these are not deal breakers). We haggled and settled at a price of $180. I packed it all back up and turned around with a huge smile on my face. I had found my gold apple! A 1939 featherweight which works wonderfully and purrs like a kitten.
So there you have it, this is how I spent the week, cleaning, polishing and oiling my plethora of antique machines.

I also spent my birthday baking and eating. I don't think it's possible to diet during your birth month.

This year I made chocolate cake with an apricot buttercream and apricot filling. Yummy!

This recipe came from one of my favorite cake books, Vintage Cakes, by Julie Richardson. I highly recommend this book.
I've probably made 5 cakes from this book and I really like that all of them as they are not super sweet, they are made for an adult palate.
I think this cake is my favorite but that could just be because I have had it recently.

I'm off to go play with some fabrics and my new baby.
And in case you missed Bonnie Hunter's post about sewing machine collecting, "It isn't polite to ask a woman her age, weight or how many sewing machines she has or why".

Have a wonderful weekend!
See you next week with my little dresdens. They are turning out adorable!
Take care, Brandie