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Member since 8/2/02
Posts: 2006
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Posted on: 4/27/09 1:30 PM ET
About 2 months ago I was given a vintage machine; it’s a Willcox & Gibbs industrial lockstitch. It’s about 80 years old and it still works just fine and in many ways is not much different from a modern industrial.

To do a review I’d have to ask Deepika to add this brand I'm pretty certain there won’t exactly be a flood of other reviews after I do this one, but then again if someone else encounters this machine (they were once very common) at least they'd know something about it if they were considering trying to use it.

Should I review it? Or is that just too self-indulgent?

Phyllis

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Sewing = Fashion
http://coudremode.com/

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
  
Member since 7/27/05
Posts: 3783
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Posted on: 4/27/09 1:48 PM ET
Please do review it. I'm always scrolling Craigslist etc and when I see a machine whose name I don't recognize my first stop is always PR to see if someone has reviewed it.
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"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
  
Member since 6/27/03
Posts: 3742
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Posted on: 4/27/09 1:50 PM ET
I agree. There's a lot of treadle users and probably even more who would like to be one day. In fact the treadle users seem to be the most satisfied of all! lol
  
Member since 6/27/03
Posts: 3742
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Posted on: 4/27/09 2:04 PM ET
deleting double post-sorry
-- Edited on 4/27/09 2:08 PM --
  
Member since 2/17/07
Posts: 2506
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Posted on: 4/27/09 2:06 PM ET
Heck yeah, please review! Lots of us wouldn't consider a new machine, but are always looking at the oldies. More reviews are always better.

Thanks in advance!
Al
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A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
  
Member since 9/29/05
Posts: 2054
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Posted on: 4/27/09 3:18 PM ET
I vote: Do it.
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The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!

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Member since 8/2/02
Posts: 2006
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Posted on: 4/27/09 4:57 PM ET
In reply to JEF
Funny you mention that because I did see one of these oldies on Craigslist recently. I just asked Deepika to add this brand.
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Sewing = Fashion
http://coudremode.com/

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
  
Member since 8/14/05
Posts: 25292
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Posted on: 4/27/09 5:03 PM ET
In reply to PhyllisC
PLEASE! PLEASE! Do so. The more reviews of older and more obscure machines the better! Real reviews are so good to read and so helpful - you just never know who is looking for that review right now!
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com

Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 1507
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Posted on: 4/27/09 6:45 PM ET
Please post a review. I have one of these machines and am curious as to what others think of it. I use mine a lot for plain straight stitching, but it isn't difficult to understand why it is obsolete once you have tried to thread it (or buy needles for it). Still, it is a very reliable stitcher, and should be good for another 80 yrs.

Jennifer Hill
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'Winds of inspiration. . .'
Quilt Canada 2010
Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB
April 26 - May 1 2010
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 4/27/09 9:30 PM ET
We have several Willcox &Gibbs and they are one of my favorites! They are all home machines, not industrials. The handcranks are tooo cute, the treadles have a neat footprint shaped pedal and the electric portable will fly. Dh just finished refurbishing one we found accidentally on a 'rabbit trail' while on vacation. It had been in a kitchen fire and then sat in an enclosed back porch (no climate control) for years. Finished up beautifully (lots of elbow grease) and sews like a dream. I've always intended to do a reverse redwork quilt on one or all of them. I know they will be ready for it when I get around to it in 80 years :>)
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
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