‘Lavender Lady’ Kenmore Model 50

I couldn’t help myself. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! (If you’ve stopped here before, you know that I changed the title, and added the word ‘Lady’, since ‘Lady’  is what I saw each time I looked at it, instead of Lavender.)

Yesterday, Amy from A Quilting Sheep and A Redeemed Sheep and I went junkin’ in the Quad Cities. We saw this machine in a cabinet, and I refrained from buying it. Mind you, I have only seen this model and color a few times in my ‘junkin’ career (many years!). Last night and this morning, that’s all I could think about, so Louie and I went back, were there when the store opened, and bought it, without the cabinet. I did the normal cleaning and oiling before I even plugged it in. The needle threads left to right, which is a bit odd, but some of my other machines thread that way too. It is a straight stitch and zigzag machine only, and I have not pinpointed her birth date yet, but I’ll get that figured out soon, I hope. The address in the manual, where the owner can contact the company with any questions is Chicago 7, Illinois. Louie says that was before the USPS started using zip codes, so that is a clue. (He is so knowledgeable…it scares me sometimes! He says Chicago 7 must have signified post office #7 in Chicago. (Click HERE to read about the inauguration of the ZIP code)

UPDATE!!! Sue sent me information of where I could find the information I needed for the birth date of this machine. I did not find a birth date for this EXACT piece of cast iron, but found out this particular model was manufactured from 1963-1965.  That means I was about 6 years old when it was new. Did I tell you it weighs a TON?

I know the stitches are hard to see, but it sews a lovely straight stitch and a pretty good zigzag too. This machine will become a display piece somewhere in my house. Now I want to find a nice PINK machine!

When Amy arrived at my house yesterday, she came bearing gifts! Thanks Amy! What a sweetie.

We had such a fun time. We ate lunch at the Machine Shed, and hit all the Goodwills and Salvation Army stores in the Quad Cities. We did not go to the Illinois side, as there is usually always bridge work on Saturdays, and Louie was not with us to guide us back across from a different bridge. We got in enough buying trouble without crossing the river. The Salvation Army ‘AS IS’ store was having a half price sale, so between Amy and I, we filled the Edge. We had so much fun, and I hope we can do it again soon. We even got back in time for Amy to make it home before dark.

So that’s my weekend. Hope yours was wonderful. It is HOT HOT HOT and HUMID here in Iowa. Thank God for air conditioning at work!

Be blessed and have a great week!

Michelle

Simple Quilting Tip:  Dry slivers of bar soap make great lines on dark fabric. (From Simple Tips For Quilters)