Bernina 117L

The universe has smiled upon me.

When browsing CL, I often widen my searches to include areas I wouldn't normally visit just to see what's out there.  To be honest, most machines are just not worth driving great distances.  However, I had been watching a listing for a Bernina sewing machine for about a year.  It was originally listed at $500.  After about two months, the price descended to $400, then $300 some time after that.  It stayed at that price; not surprisingly, the price's descent had an inverse relationship with my interest.  Then the listing disappeared and I assumed it sold.  A very old Bernina is a very rare machine in these parts and they don't stay listed long at all.  Ask me how I know.

I happened to be browsing just two months ago prior to Christmas and there it was again, an ad for a Bernina treadle machine.  Only this time, there was more information.  It's a 117L, a model I don't own (I have a 117K that I acquired almost by complete accident) and is extremely hard to find.  The price was $200.  I contacted the seller immediately and told her that I doubted I could make it over the mountain pass right away, that I would have to wait for somewhat warmer weather.  (The passes were experiencing a deluge of snow and thick ice on the roads.  Washington Dept. of Transportation was advising no travel over the passes if it wasn't necessary.  This was certainly necessary but not worth risking my life.)  She responded -- very nicely -- that she couldn't hold it, that she wanted to sell it.  I wrote back that I understood.  I sobbed uncontrollably.  (Not really, but I was sad.)

The ad disappeared again.  I suspected it might appear again and sure enough, about a week ago it reappeared at $150.  I called her and made plans to visit her the next day.  She was surprised I was so intent on purchasing it but she was glad I was interested enough to make the trip.  She lives in a part of Washington that is remote and the road one mile beyond her house is dirt.  Her driveway is dirt.  And the machine was being stored in an unheated shed.

She was very, very nice and apologized for all the snow and ice on the driveway, for her dog excitedly jumping on me (I love when dogs jump on me), and she offered the machine for $100.  I accepted, put the machine in my car, fell flat on my ass, and chatted with her for about 30 minutes.  What a lovely person.  She's the kind of woman I'd love as a neighbor.

So after a total of 5.5 hours of driving and about 4 hours of cleaning, here it is -- the one I've been waiting for:

As you can see, this is set up for treadling.  However, the motor (and brace -- not pictured), a Swiss Scintilla made for Bernina, was included and so I can change the configuration if I choose.  The table's a Bernina table and it obviously needs refinishing but the machine's in remarkable condition considering that it was shipped to the Pacific Northwest from Switzerland via a farm in Ukraine.  Here in remote Washington State it was used on an orchard, so it was very dirty but it cleaned up rather nicely, I think.  The brightwork is very shiny, all the parts work perfectly (if a little tight with old oil), and the sewing action is about as quiet and smooth as I could ever want.  This is such a great machine.  It has lots of oil ports.  Lots.

The 117L was made beginning in 1938 and this is a fairly early one.  One of the first domestic zig-zag machines ever produced, it is surprisingly modern: pressure control knob, feed dog drop, huge throws in the length and width control, automatic bobbin winding, knee lift (this is a very cool feature allowing the user to keep both their hands on their project), and a very sensitive, incremented tension control.  Needle position (L, C, R) is a feature my 117K doesn't include and works like a charm.  I haven't hooked up the motor so I can't comment on the electrical feature (motor, light).  It's a friction drive, so it will be interesting to see how the 117L runs compared to the 117K which is set up for electric sewing (though if I do decide to try out this motor, I hope its voltage is commensurate with American domestic electrical standards).  The maximum SPM for this machine is reputedly over 2K.

So there it is, my exciting treadle story.  I'm not a treadler so this will take some getting used to but I think I'll leave the machine as-is, grateful though I am for the original motor.  

Jones CS Hand Crank "The Royal Ruby"

I'm becoming a slattern.  I'll pretty much fall for anything around $50 and so when I saw this advertised on CL, I casually called and made the appointment.  I figured if I was too late, that was fine and if I was the first caller, meh.  I'm actually glad I went ahead and investigated. 

This is a Jones cylindrical shuttle (CS) hand crank from the early 1920s named 'Royal Ruby.'  I have no idea what that nickname means.  Did the British find an unusually large stone in, say, Africa or India to which this machine refers?  It's made in England and comes from a long line of venerable machines produced by the Jones firm, machines whose hand cranks in particular are now popular collectors' items.  While this particular machine is later than the sought-after/expensive models found on eBay, I believe this is a very good example of the machines that directly followed.  The simpler design and decal sets are less immediately arresting but I find their subtlety more appealing in the long run.  I'm guessing the flowers of this model are clematis but that is just a guess. 

As you can see, it includes a base and coffin top, a storage compartment (and box of attachments), slots for a treadle cable, and a beautiful set of decals.  The Ruby reminds us of its origins with a decal centered on the bed: 'English Made' over a vase of flowers.  The shape is a Singer takeoff but remains classic Jones in that it has a round, bulbous shape at the column's top.  The action is very smooth and quiet -- much more so than the inexpensive Chinese cranks attached to many classic machines.  If a vintage crank isn't available or within range, a reproduction will have to do but always keep your eyes open for vintage cranks if you need one.

A very pretty machine and in excellent condition for its age, I think:

I managed to get much of the machine cleaned and polished in about 2 hours but had to stop just short of a complete job due to work and an errand.  (I'm blogging in small glances today.)  Since this is my first crank machine with an actual crank (unlike this one or this one), I'm glad I found one working with its own original mechanism.  While I'm not the biggest fan of the VS design, I have to admit it's very quiet and the shuttle and long bobbins are easy to remove and insert.  This machine came with a box full of VS attachments and feet; I'm wondering if Singer works with Jones. 

So, did I buy this for actual sewing or for display?  I'm not sure.  Perhaps a little of both.  It's good to have a people-powered machine (I don't treadle) but I wouldn't want to do too much with this one, as it's in such good condition.  I'm impressed with its quietness and am anxious to try some sewing.

I remember when I was a young kid, my third grade teacher Mrs. Vilhauer led a discussion about whether something is considered antique.  The discussion naturally migrated to furniture and at one point she asked "Who would ever want to live in a museum?"  I responded lustily, "I would!"  This isn't a museum-quality piece of course but my sewing machine acquisition has slowed in recent months as I'm taking stock of what I have and what I need to sell.  Perhaps I'm not so exclusively mid-century after all.