Grandma's "Brand new Singer sewing machine"

My latest project has taken a while to complete. It probably would not for most, but my body does not work like it use to. 

My latest project is a labor of love, my Great Grandma's "Brand new Singer sewing machine". They called my Great Grandma Lottie, her given name was Charlotta, she was my dad's grandma, and she was tiny little lady who was quite a character. Lottie was 4'-11" tall. She always wore a full apron that slid on over her head and tied around her tiny waist. In her pockets she carried a plug of Redman chewing tobacco, a clove of garlic and a hankie. She always had a uniqe aroma. 

Lottie was not a weathy woman, quite the opposite, she had very little. Somewhere along the way, she purchased a Singer 27 in a treadle cabinet number 6, (I believe). She was just so proud of this machine, and would not let anyone use it. She had to work for everything she ever had, and buying this machine had to be a major decision for her. 

After being in the family for a while, my mom asked if she could use the machine, Grandma quized her to make sure she had sewn on a treadle.  Once grandma was satified that mom knew what she was doing, all was good, but only my mom was granted the honor of sewing on Grandma's "brand new Singer sewing machine". When my Grandma Lottie passed away, my mom bought this machine at the estate auction held at grandma's home in southern Missouri. Like many old treadles, they are passed down, but modern machines take first place. This great old machine became a plant stand. Later, it just had stuff piled on top. 

As a child I was facinated by this old Singer treadle. I heard all the stories of how loved this machine was, and I loved it too. Growing up, I became a seamstress, and the machine became my obsession. I wanted to use it, but never could. As I got older, I made a statement that of all of mom and dad's possessions I wanted the sewing machine in the will. My dad passed away 2 years ago this week. Since their house was in disrepair, we moved my mom out and had an auciton to sell their belongings. I was granted the sewimg machine then. She was in really bad shape. Mom and Dad's house was damp and dirty. There was dust and crud just building up on the base and on the machine head. I have finally taken on the challenge of cleaning her up. She is starting to shine. Here is her progress.

Before:

After: 

In this picture you can see that the back slide plate was still on the machine. I absolutely could not remove it. I finally found a dowel rod, and a monkey wrench, (I could not find a hammer), and I started to tap the dowel rod while holding it on the edge of the back plate. I had to tap several times to "break" it loose, but finally the plate started to slide off the back. 

This is the reason I could not slide the plate. 

The head look so much better. The clear coat is gone on most of the machine, but it is over 100 years old, so you cannot expect perfection. 

I cleaned it with warm water and a little Dawn dishwashing liquid. I cleaned until I got most of the gunk off. I then went over it with Goop, then washed that off and let it dry. I then coated her in sewing machine oil. I will coat her in oil again today, just to make sure I coated the whole thing. Then I will wipe her down and apply wax to protect her decals. 

My next post will be her base and cabinet. Ick....it is a mess.