Antique Sewing Machine Restoration

06/13/2026

Latest swap and trade! A collector in Tennessee was interested in one of my “spare” treadle machines and I now have a beautiful piece of Italian engineering. This 1950’s Necchi BU Nova is electric with a knee controller and can do zig zag.

06/11/2026

The collector in town who is downsizing sent me off this morning with a second car load of machines to fix and give to teens learning to sew. The last one in this set of pictures has several built in fancy stitches, which will be fun for the more artistic, free-form learners.

06/09/2026

For show-and-tell; two from Elaine’s collection: Her custom painted Featherweight (221) and its big sister, the 301 - both with their card tables. Although 2 different machines, they share the same bobbin case, aluminum body construction and lift bed; along with having the table accessory. The 301 is slant needle, so different attachments than the short shank straight needle on the Featherweight.

06/08/2026

7 sewing machines cleaned and heading to our granddaughters and their friends who are all taking beginning sewing classes. Free, thanks to a collector in south Huntsville who wanted to see a new generation hooked on sewing!

06/01/2026

More progress on the free machines for teens wanting to learn to sew. A full sized model 15, capable of making canvas bags and a 3/4 model 99 with knee bar controller, both are straight stitch only, forward and reverse. Simple and sturdy machines for a beginner.

06/01/2026

This site is a great resource for anyone with an antique sewing machine. Full of manuals, history and reference materials. This is their page for Singer manuals:

Owner and operating manuals for Singer Sewing Machines and accessories, including the Model 221 Featherweight.

05/30/2026

A fellow collector south of town is downsizing and asked if I could help find new homes for several portable machines. I’m cleaning and fixing them and my daughter is spreading the word out to friends and neighbors. These will be free for teenagers interested in sewing on a simple straight stitch machine from the 50’s-60’s.

05/23/2026

Restoring a Singer 301 card table. Featherweight collectors consider the 301 to be the “Big Sister” to their smaller 221 machines.

05/18/2026

Completed restoration on this unique treadle machine and will be looking to find it a new home. $200 OBO, or free to anyone with the last name of Davis in North Alabama!

05/18/2026

Davis Vertical Feed Ruffler Attachment! I’ll be putting this treadle table machine up for sale on local marketplace this week. Send me a chat if you are local and interested. Will be $200 OBO, fully functional and with attachments.