I think I mentioned that Chad and Nicole found an old Singer 99K machine at an auction a month or so ago and bought it for $25. They got it home and it wouldn’t work. They called me. They sent pictures. Vince is the one who always works on our old machines but I found a place for them to order parts. The thread pin was missing. They felt it needed a new belt. I suggested they order a new tension mechanism.
Last night Nicole grabbed the bag with the parts in it and said “Come on, Granny . . let’s work on this machine!”
It’s a beautiful machine. The gold scroll work is fully intact. The bed has no scratches. The books look perfect.
I had never seen a tan book, nor did I know there were differences . . 99-23, 99-24 or 99-31. Apparently, theirs is a 99-31 and was made in November, 1955.
The needle would not turn, nor would the hand wheel turn, even though the motor was running and it sounded like it was trying to turn. We found youtube videos about how to change the belt. Nicole was so scared . . I told her . . it doesn’t sew now so what do you have to lose? She wanted to take it to someone to work on it but I assured her we could fix it.
You can see the difference in the old belt (lighter one) and new belt. She put the new belt on but the needle still wouldn’t move. We felt the belt might be too loose and figured out how to adjust it but still, no needle movement. I guessed that there might be so much buildup of lint and crud that it was a bit frozen up so we took the side plate off, took the bobbin assembly completely apart, cleaned and oiled all the moving parts underneath the machine and that did it! The needle was moving.
We changed the needle, threaded it up, and it sews perfectly!
Nicole sat down to make the first stitches and I wish you could have seen her face.
She was so excited because she had been the one who found the machine at the auction and had wanted it, then she was the one who did most of the work changing belt and making the adjustments. I did the cleaning and oiling but she could definitely have done that herself.
Of course, I had to again remind her . . remember what you said when I first met you and asked you if you sew? She gave me one of smart a$$ looks and said “Why would I?”
We have something to fix for her grandma and I told her we could do it on this new machine and I brought the fabric to make Addie’s vest and I told her we could use the machine to make that. She’s super excited! I’m so proud of her. She’s the best daughter-in-law ever! I am so blessed to have her.
Cinda Moulds says
I love this!! The picture is the best.
Helen says
Judy, you are so blessed!! Nicole is so blessed, too!! Merry Christmas!!
Twyla says
I am happy for you and Nicole that you have each other. Chad is lucky to have collected three keepers in his life.
Carolyn says
LOL yes that pic tells it all! But so does the scrape that you sewn on, with a thread or two links like a winking face!
Becky says
Love this sweet family Christmas story. I remember you said Chad fell in love with her because she was always smiling. ??
Pamela Thorne says
How wonderful for you to have a daughter-in-love to enjoy the things you do! The first vintage machine that I rescued was a 99 in a cabinet also. Sweet machine! So glad you are able to spend Christmas with them!
Quilter Kathy says
How exciting! It was fun to see this machine be revived!
Enjoy!
Joyce says
That is a gorgeous old machine. I’m glad you were able to get it working! You all will have fun with it. I wasn’t much older than Addie is now when my Mom taught me to us her sewing machine.
Nelle Coursey says
Sounds like the feeling is mutual. She is one smart young lady!
dezertsuz says
Oh you are SO blessed, and I am SO jealous of the machine! LOL The machine and the cabinet both look wonderful. Someone really loved that machine for it to look so good now. It would have been a steal at a much higher price. The tan book alone is found on eBay for $10! I’ve seen them for as high as $400, not in as pretty shape and not in a cabinet. The lowest I saw was about $110, and still not as pretty or in a cabinet. She did really well! And so did you, helping her get it running.
Kristin Gumbinger says
That is a gorgeous machine! And it’s great that Nicole is so excited to use it. Oil and lubricant are your friends. The Featherweight Shoppe sells a motor lubricant that is appropriate for vintage machines. It has the right viscosity (which is different from what is sold for modern machines, believe it or not!). Merry Christmas!
Kay L Ford-Sollimo says
Fantasmagorical ! You are both so, so lucky (= blessed to the moon and back) to be in each other’s lives. Note: And this is all Chad’s “fault”. Without him…no Nicole. Without her…no Addie. Without Addie…no granny! Isn’t life grand?