Object Record
Images
Additional Images [5]
Metadata
Object Name |
Machine, Sewing |
Caption |
Number 5 treadle sewing machine made by The Free Sewing Machine Company |
Description |
Number 5 treadle sewing machine made by The Free Sewing Machine Company. Patent dates listed on bobbin cover:1902, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910. Purchased c.1912 by Grover and Mabel LeMaitre Finney, grandparents of donor Charles Reiner. Mabel used the machine to make clothes, pillows, rag rugs and so forth. Her name was listed as a knitter and a sewer in the Hutchinson branch of the American Red Cross, McLeod County Chapter. She completed a suit of pajamas in October, 1917 for the war effort of World War I. Mabel was born June 17, 1888. She and Grover Finney were married in Hutchinson on December 25, 1909. Mabel died on August 17, 1972. Grover was born July 23, 1885 and died July 11, 1966. The machine is set in an oak cabinet with curved lines and rounded surfaces. It has an automatic lifting lid and three side drawers on each side. When lid is closed over the machine the side drawers automatically lock. The word "Free" is on the head and designed into the treadle. The stand legs were described as being of French design, nicely curved to conform to the furniture. Includes original illustrated instruction book, guarantee envelope and metal box of numerous attachments. Drawers contain thread, bobbins, needles, needle wax, chalk, ruler, buttons, razor blade, beads & cord, early drapery hooks and early picture hangers. The St. John Sewing Machine Company, founded in 1870, was the predecessor of the Free Sewing Machine Company. In 1883 it was renamed the Royal Sewing Machine Company. After the company relocated to Rockford, Illinois it was renamed again in 1897 as The Free Sewing Machine Company after company president William C. Free. Most machines made by the Free company were for sale by mail-order companies. In the mid-1920s Free became associated with Westinghouse and machines were labeled Free-Westinghouse. In 1927 the Free company merged with New Home Sewing Machine Company. |
Catalog Number |
2016-0179-001 |
Search Terms |
Sewing machines Free Sewing Machine Company, Rockford, Illinois |
Subjects |
Sewing machines |
People |
Finney, Grover Finney, Mabel LeMaitre |