The book on the right is the one I am excited about. You see, I have my grandmother's White Dressmaster sewing machine from 1947. (Dressmaster! Isn't that great?) It still runs like a champ, but I can't figure out how to thread the darn thing! For years I've been saying that I wanted to start using it, but I was getting pretty discouraged about not being able to thread it. I decided to do a little internet searching and I did find a website that was selling a xerox copy of this manual for $20! Then I decided to try ebay and I can't believe my luck! It was the only one listed and when I saw this picture I had such a flashback! I'm the one who lost my grandma's original manual! Way back when I was 12 and learning to sew, Grandma lent this book to me. It's much more comprehensive then just a machine manual, and I loved it. I still remember learning how to hem from this book. But of course, I lost the book. I had forgotten all about it until I saw this photo. The auction just ended so I don't have it yet, but when it arrives, I'll take some photos of it and the machine itself. It's a real beauty. It's got a box full of attachment that I don't know how to use, like a ruffler and narrow hemming attachments, and a pleater. Also, it doesn't operate with a foot pedal- it's got a bar that comes down from under the machine and you use your knee to operate the machine! Apparently, from what I read on the website I was at, the knee control is pretty rare. I can't wait to show it to you! (The second book looks pretty cool too, so I'll show you what it's got also.)
Yay! Great score! (Wonderful that you have your grandmother's machine, too.) I love the knee-bar operated sewing machines. My mom's is like that, and it's what I learned on. Mine, of course, is foot pedal operated. I feel I have much better control over speed with the knee bar. I hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteAs for all those attachments: eek! I use just my plain old regular foot, and sometimes I switch to my quilting 1/4 inch foot. It seems like everyone has to have a ruffler though! I guess ruffles were big once...
Can't wait to see it. Love the knee bar but don't have one. I also have a box of interesting attachments with my gran's machine.
ReplyDeleteFound your blog doing a Google search on "Dressmaster manual". I have recently acquired an old Dressmaster with a knee presser, in a cabinet, and can't find *any* info about it. It doesn't mention manufacturer anywhere on it. Do you have a picture of your machine? Can you tell me where you found a manual? I have cleaned and oiled a bunch of parts, and seem to have it running, but can't yet get it to sew decently (the bottom threads are all tangled and broken still - I might have the needle in wrong.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for any help you might be able to give me. Please email if you can help - spinningalpaca -at- comcast *dot* net
I have my aunt's Dressmaster Sewing machine. It has a knee petal. I do have a manuel if you still don't have one. What I found is that it is a "lefty". When you thread the needle it goes in left to right. If I didn't have the manuel I would never have figured it out. I also live in NH. I know you posted this in 2006, but if you don't gave have a manuel I will send a copy of it. I was actually looking for bobbins for it and came across this website. Please let me know and have a great day in the Lord! Sincerely, Linda
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