PaintedToeanail, I think I know the old Westinghouse that you are talking about. Is it the one with the rounded wooden case? They were popular in the 20's. I'd be willing to bet that you can buy any parts for it on Ebay, as Westinghouse was a fairly common name in houselhold appliances. If not, you can part out the one you have, and use the money to buy yourself one that is in working order! The Carpet making attachemt must be cool as heck! I bey it would be fun to make your own rug!
I'd love to have another Toy Singer machine. I had one when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, but I traded it for some other antiques to my friends who collects the machines. Hopefully i will find one at a good price again one day, I can't afford the $200-300 that they are now selling for in good condition!!! Here is as link to what I am talking about. The bidding is only at $30, but will shoot up to over $200...
Toy Sewing Machine
Hello Hortensia!!! I'm glad that you like knitting! I have heard that it is a fun hobby, but unfortuunately I don't have the patience with my hands due to the repetition involved, but I do know that they results can be well worth it for those who have the patience to finish. I know that there are football players who knit, and they say that it actually helps them when they are out on the football field! Who da' thunk it? lol I'd love to be able to do something intricate like Petit point, etc, but again, too much repetition for me, and it is hard for me to stay concentrated on one thing. The nice thing about sewing is that it is easy to just stop the machine, get up and do whatever until I am focused again, and then it is easy to continue where I left off.
Hey Happy Dad! I haven't seen you around in a while. How have you been? That was very nice of you to donate the sewing items to a worthy cause! I bet that the momories of your wife live on every time they use the machine or any other accessories! Being a performing arts school, I bet they have used the things to create some awesome costumes. If you want something for every day, occasional use, you can find a cheap portable at a yard sale or thrift store. They even have the little hand held machines that are battery operated and do a clean straight stitch. They look kinda hokey, but they do work if you are in a pinch and just want something for occasional use for very simple things. Then again, it only cost about $10 to hem a pair of pants at a dry cleaners...