Those who know me know that my weakness is not chocolate, or alcohol, or even fabric. It is sewing machines, though I see myself more as a re-homer than a collector. Some people rehome dogs; with me, it’s machines. I don’t like to see them wasted. My weakness is old Elnas, not the really old “grasshoppers”, so called because they were green, but the later SU air electronics, which had a pressure foot rather than a pedal. My love affair started in 1980 when my husband bought me a top of the line Air Electronic SU. My Mum and I had great fun with it on Christmas Day, between present opening and lunch. And though this Swiss company long ago gave way to Janome, their sturdy build and well designed technology has lasted. The cover of mine was made of Lexar-the plastic used to protect the Moon astronauts faces from the sun!
But I saw this little beauty on an auction site, and I decided to see if she would suit me. My very first machine was a Vulcan, in blue, and I was seven. But as I remember she got damaged and long ago disappeared. This one was an Essex, produced at the same time, and they came complete with a case, an attachable table, a g-clamp to hold it steady and a fabric guide. Luxury! Sadly, the one I bought had the table but nothing else, not even the dinky vanity case. But they did a pretty chain stitch and I thought….what if? It looked pretty good, if filthy and the charity selling it deserved the money so I took a chance.
First oiled it in all the moving areas I could see using sewing machine oil, then I cleaned it to remove surface dirt. I prised out the green thread caught between the hand wheel cogs so it could turn more smoothly. There was a clump of red thread around the hook so that took a little snipping too. I dug out the metal polish and cleaned up what I could. Then I tried to move the guide but that was a no-go. I had to enlist strong handed help. But underneath I found a bit of rust so I used a screwdriver to scrape off the surface followed by a needle file to smooth back the rest. I printed off the manual-still available on the site, and threaded her up! She is a single thread, chain stitch machine, so no bobbin is needed. I think I shall call her Carol!
The g-clamp is missing, so I have to hold her while I sew but I am very impressed with the first trial stitch. A perfect, tiny, chain stitch.
I will research rust-eating chemicals so I can remove the last vestiges of rust, and needles, as I have no idea how to remove or replace the one in situ. And maybe look out for a clamp….and a box…..I hope this is not the start of a thing…..
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