Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Attic Find

I've owned my house for 14 years this month.  When I bought it, it had been used as a rooming house for at least 10 years, had the remnants of a packrat family before that, and some remains of the second owner from the 1930s.  The attic (and some of the basement) was filled to overflowing.

Every once in a while I tackle some of it, but there are still embarrassing pockets of other people's crap in the extremities of my house.

My roofer was over today putting a new window in the attic, so since I had to be up there anyway, I decided to organize another section.  And found treasure.

I knew there was a sewing machine up there, a 1960s metal one that I keep meaning to bring downstairs to investigate; if I ever get organized enough to do sewing lessons in my dining room, it will be great.

But this was something else.  Something more.  Something that made me say loud, unladylike things in front of my roofer, who nearly collapsed laughing at me.

This is a Singer Featherweight 221-1 Portable electric sewing machine, in her original carrying case, with all manuals and attachments.  She's so untouched she still smells like sewing machine oil, but according to Singer's website, her serial number means she's from 1951 (100th anniversary edition).  And still practically new in box.

This is a serious happy dance, folks.  I'm a bit of a sewing machine junkie on a good day, but I haven't found buried treasure in my own house before.


19 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Wow! That is simply amazing!!!

Vicki said...

Wow, perhaps it is time to have a real clean out - you might find a stash of cash! Though this find is pretty close to that :)

AuntieAllyn said...

Ding ding ding!!!! What a winning find!!!! Can't BELIEVE you didn't discover it earlier!

Kris C. said...

Wow! That's so awesome! Congratulations!

Tany said...

OMG, what a treasure!!

Linda T said...

Now that is EXCITING!!!! Maybe you should go buy a lotto ticket too!

Faye Lewis said...

OMgoodness! You just didn't know that that featherweight was part of your home equity - what a find!

Claire Cooper said...

What an amazing find.

Andrea said...

OMG that is truly amazing!

Andrea said...

Amazeballs! You should keep digging ... who knows what else you might find!

I wonder if you could learn anything about its previous owner based on what it was stored with?

2 Punk Dogs said...

Holy carp! That is the coolest find, and in crazy good condition too. :) Congrats!

Graca said...

Wow, enjoy your new found treasure!

Summer Flies said...

Score!!! What great reward for doing a boring job.

AilsaG said...

Wow! That's amazing.

kbenco said...

The best reward for cleaning out someone else's stuff. Wow!

RhondaBuss said...

You very lucky little duck!!!!! I sewed on one of these all through high school. Such a great little machine. Go buy a lottery ticket. I think your luck is running on high right now :)

Sharon L said...

What an amazing find!! Just please keep her and keep her happy!! I have two (had to buy both) but I do use them and tend to them - we keep each other very happy. They are great machines.

Rose said...

Wonderful! I'm so happy for you. I don't want to bring up sad memories, I can't help but feel that this is Karma repaying you for your good deeds when dealing with your late aunt (who gave away her sewing machine). In any situation, I'm glad that you found such treasure in your attic! You should continue to check--there might be a well protected stash of fabric or patterns! :)

Rose in SV

Pattyskypants said...

I can't believe your attic is filled with other people's stuff!