The first machines that came out were transverse shuttles, they had long bobbins and bobbin cases that looked rather like bullets. The bobbin moved back and forth in a straight line, unlike the round oscillating shuttles we get today. Next came the vibrating shuttles, these looked very similar but moved on a curved axes and were produced up to about the 1930's (in the UK anyway).
I absolutely adore my beloved old Vickers vibrating shuttle sewing machine. It's British made, dates back to the 1930's and is still going strong today. I picked it up at a charity sale a few years ago...the best £5.00 I've ever spent! I don't mind that a screw is missing from part of the handle, a safety pin holds it together. It only does straight stitch but that's good enough and I make all my wrap dresses and aprons on it. No matter what fabric I put through, it never lets me down, a proper solid machine!
I collect, restore and use antique and vintage sewing machines. My favourites for sewing are Jones. I think they stitch better than Singers.
I have the same blue Jones teardrop hand crank as you. I currently have about 8 treadles and 45 handcranks, quite a lot still waiting to be restored.
Posted by: Jacqui Bates | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 23:34
I just love my old Vickers sewing machine! I found it hideing in a charity shop, it looked like a normal little table but i noticed the top was hindged and my curiosity wanted to no what was under the folding top, i opened it up to find this beautiful machine with some 1930's printed fabric half sewn still in place under the foot, its original operators manual and a bunch of original atchments and spares (with a few dead spiders) hiding within, even the woman in the shop didnt no the machine was inside the table! It was in a dirty but perfect working condition, i fell in love with it and brought it for £10! I use it for making my childrens dressing up costumes, dozens and dozens of costumes for our schools xmas and easter productions on it along with making all my girls dress's, my son and husbands shirts and trousers, a wedding dress, every pillow case, sheet, quilt, curtain ect in our house on my Vickers and i cant sing its praises enough! I have an old electrical Singer with the 'S' shaped bar but it needs re-wireing and Out of every machine i'v used, the Vickers has got to be the best ever and would'nt ever consider using a modern machine because they just dont have what the old machines have and they bring me so much joy! Im so glad to see that other people are using their machines as they were intended and not using them as plant stands or just decoration.
Posted by: bex | Monday, 20 February 2012 at 14:23
I have an old Vickers that my great aunt bought at staff rates when she was working at the factory in Crayford. It must be getting on for 100 years old, and I still use it regularly !
Posted by: Chris | Tuesday, 14 February 2012 at 14:32
Ah, your machines are gorgeous. My current sewing machine is a Singer 201--what a workhorse! I also have two Necchis, a domestic, a Dressmaker and an Emdeko. We're a happy family. I so love the styles that you create. I'm completely inspired to get away from this computer!
Posted by: Becca | Wednesday, 31 December 2008 at 15:06
Hello, No I didn't know about that site but will definitely check it out, thank you!
Posted by: Malphi | Friday, 21 December 2007 at 09:02
Hi Malphi,
What a fine site and such great aprons, but the thing I like best is the photos of your lovely machines. I've heard of a Vickers, and Jones but assuridly have never seen one in such nice shape. Have you ever heard of treadleon.net? it is a site and a group devoted to using people powered machines. thanks for showing your machines. Kitty
Posted by: Kitty | Thursday, 20 December 2007 at 23:34