Wednesday, January 20, 2010

In 1957...

Singapore gained Self Rule! (Thinking of Juanita here...) Dr Seuss wrote his first book (as a challenge to see if it was possible to put the words on the US young readers' list into a story).
The Windscale nuclear plant accident occured in the UK.
Donny Osmond was born.So was Jayne Torville. And my grandma's Featherweight Singer Sewing Machine was made!
I found out all about this trusty little machine (now mine and in regular use) after I read Serenata's post about her wonderful sewing machine collection, and following up Marmalade Rose's suggestion that Singer have information about all their machine's serial numbers. I found the list of numbers here, and a lot of other fascinating information too, especially at Planet Patchwork's page about the little Featherweights.
What a wonderful world of blogging, bloggers and helpful websites!

18 comments:

JuanitaTortilla said...

Oh my goodness. Shame on me -- I did not know about the island's self-rule from the British. (I should know that, shouldn't I?)

Would it be safe to say, that they don't make sewing machines as good now, as they did back then?

Jen Walshaw said...

It is truly amazing this internet stuff, how clever

Lululiz said...

There is something so very special about the way a very old sewing machine works. I have my mother's old sewing machine from when she was a young and trained as a seamstress. It used to be a treddle machine but she had it converted to electricity. It is beautiful and a joy to use in its proper wooden cabinet. I also have an electric sewing machine, which my granny bought me when I was 14, errrmm, many years ago, and I still use that, it is in France. A few years back I bought a very cheap machine in Lidl of all places, I think it was about £50, to use here in England. It is basic, but it works well and does everything I need it to do. And I have a very old ornate little one in a lovely wooden case stashed away somewhere in this house, lol, if only I knew where.

Michela said...

What a great connection of facts you've built starting from a sewing machine!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely read - thanks. xx

The Curious Cat said...

Interesting facts - so much happened! xxx

Serenata said...

Oh, I'm not jealous ;-) As you know a Featherweight is on my wish list...still one day!

Some wonderful facts you've put together there, very interesting. Hope you are feeling better.

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

thanks for the Singer information - my mum has one I must check it out for more details!
aaahhh Donny Osmond.............
(thanks for your comment on my blog )
Lesley x

harmony and rosie said...

Oh how we love Dr Seuss in this household. And Mr Singer, that goes without saying!!! x

VintageVicki said...

I love the old singer machines but as a lefthander I can't use them :(

Boys loved Dr Seuss when they were smaller :)

Mary Poppins said...

Thank you so much for a brilliantly informative post. I have a little olde Singer, she was bought from a boot fair for £4.00 and lovely Seranata helped me date her to 1936, I think it was, through the serial numbers and a link she posted. My Singer's condition isn't brilliant and I doubt she shall ever work again, plus i don't know how to work her ;) but she is sure pretty to look at. Thank you so much for your very kind offer, i have emailed you. I am truly grateful :)

hugs

X

Rebecca S. said...

I have an elderly electric, seafoam green sewing machine which I bought at a university yard sale 20 years ago. I used it then to stitch my patchwork quilt and still use it for little projects and to repair clothing...but I have forgotten how to use the zigzag function!

Rebecca S. said...

P.S. I read the first two Swallows and Amazons books to my boys when we lived in a cabin by a lake - and every day they would go outside and live like the Swallows! Some of the best children's books ever written, I think.

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

1957 - the year I was conceived (on second thoughts don't really want to think about that!) Singer sewing machines .... what beauties ... the Singer website has loads of info and if you e-mail them they will send a free copy of old instruction books. Saw an article in Sewing World mag today ... link to www.wildsewing.co.uk where there is an article on Bill Benn who is a collector of old machines.

Karen said...

My friend has a featherweight that she's selling/I'm coveting, but it hasn't gotten me anywhere! It still isn't mine lol. And Donny Osmond, so cute! But as I recall, my huge crush was on Bobby Sherman! I think he was older though. Fun post! Karen

BadPenny said...

how interesting - I have my mum's singer which I really must have a look at - and learn to use !

Swoon with Deb Hodge said...

Oh how I wish that I had your wonderful Feather Weight machine....sigh
I too have a love for old machines, and treasure my grandmother's antique singer.
Blessings,
Deb

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sewing machine! and a Lovely informative post :o) I can remember thinking Donny and David Cassidy where the bees knees before I fell for Marc Bolan(lol).