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Historic
Sewing MachinesI read with great interest in the September issue by Lynn Horniblow 'Treadle Power', as I had used a treadle machine in my teens and had made my wedding dress on an 1890s Singer hand machine.
Later that day I was wandering around the car boot sale at the Great Dorset Steam Fair when I came across an item that took me back almost 40 years and reinforced the reminiscences I had been indulging in earlier in the day. Still in its box with the price sticker of '27/11 including purchase tax' was a Vulcan Minor Child's Sewing Machine. I must have been 8 or 9 years old when I had this same machine and I can link the joy of using it then to my present obsession with all things 'textile'. I remember clamping it to the table, threading it up, sewing a seam and even testing the notice in the handbook: 'Important: once needle is threaded do NOT turn the handwheel unless cloth is in the machine, or the thread will tangle'. Well, I had to didn't I? I was experimenting even then!
I would love to hear from others who had one of these wonderful little machines and anyone who can tell me something of their history. There is no bobbin thread and the reverse side is chain stitch. Perhaps you could use it for tambour stitch?
Sue
Woodsford
New Milton, Hants.
Vulcan
sewing machineI still have mine. It was in a black and white check case when it was bought. The varnish on the little extendable table is still like new, and so is the chrome and paintwork.
Ann
Smith
trevor.kairouan@cableinet.co.uk
VulcansJuly 2001
I'm trying to find out as much info on Vulcan Sewing Machines as I can. I have five, and I also have one Peterpan No. 1, one Singer No. 20 and a Little Betty. I read your letters with interest - any info would be helpful.
Sincerely
Lyn Ridley
ridley@bigpond.com.au
Historic
Sewing MachinesSeptember 2002
Interesting to see the posts. Why not go and have a look at http://www.ismacs.net next time you're browsing around?
A Heywood