Paul's note welcoming new members prompted me to finally post some pictures of an unusual W&W in our collection - the #5 free-arm. ?This machine has a serial number dating it to ca 1865, according to Grace Rogers Cooper's work. ?The machine is based on the earlier design of the curved-needle #1 and #3 machines, but the front and back horizontal shafts have been extended to allow it to function as a free-arm. ?It uses the same rotating hook and bobbin as the #1/#3 machines. ?Pictures have been added in the photos section. ?(Didn't get them loaded in quite the intended order! ?Please refer to the number preceding the name for the order in which they were intended to be seen.)
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What's a bit unusual about the machine is that the orientation of the presser-foot and feed is unchanged from the original #1/#3 design. ?It still feeds from left to right. ?So, in practice, the operator has to feed the work (a sleeve lets say) onto the free-arm (under the presser foot), before starting to sew. ?If there's another way to operate this machine, I have yet to figure it out. ?A short video clip showing this machine in action can be found on You-Tube:
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Photos show the machine and the treadle after conservation. ?The gold accents on the treadle irons are original. If anyone knows of another example of this machine, would love to hear about it. ??
