Posted 12 years ago
Chezzalenko
(2 items)
This item has a treadle underneath and is in a cabinet. It was distributed by Revill and any assistance or information would be more than I have now.
My mystery, have no idea about this machine. Made in Czech, Mila brand, distributed in Brisbane Australia. Can't find anything? | ||
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It looks like a copy of a class 66 Singer machine to me , but that is all I can say about it .
It is also missing the spool pin .
Thanks for that. Any information I can get is great. I can't find the Mila brand anywhere. I have googled myself silly.
i have googled for you also chezz to no avail -- it also is not in the encyclopedia of early american & antique sewing machines -- we have an excellent member here on cw -- that i hope will see the post and perhaps have some info for you -- hope you had a happy new year
went back to those i follow -- it is bernadette -- she is up on her singers that's for sure -- perhaps she will have some info for you -- might want to look her up here on cw
Thanks epson233, hello Chezza, sorry just found this one :) This is what's called a 'badged' machine, where the retailer buys in the machines and puts their own label on to sell. Revill was a sewing machine dealer in Brisbane (Aus) and possibly other states. This ad in 1931 from the Camperdown Chronicle, Vic. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/26539707
You are fortunate that the original labels 'Mila' and 'Made in Czechoslovakia' have been left on, and you already know more about this machine already than a lot of owners of 'badged' machines, scratching their heads for even a country of origin. :) I have a LADA sewing machine made in Czechoslovakia and it also has the lever stitch length adjuster very similar to yours - they could be from the same company. I can't find any info about a company called 'Mila'.
http://www.ladasicistroje.cz/history.htm
Here is Lada's history. It may not be connected to your machine, I can't be sure.
What information did you specifically want? :)
http://trade.mar.cx/CA207494/
what do you think? :)
This is posted on a blog:
<Anonymous said...
We have aquired a Lada sewing machine with serial numbers, made in Czechoslovakia complete with wooden case, manual and toolkit inside base, possible 1930's? We have searched the internet but have found nothing to assist us with possible worth and history. It was rebadged as a Victor Mila for Myer department store in Melbourne, Australia as well. Can anyone help?>
It's all seeming to add up that MILA and LADA are connected.
I can't find an instruction manual for a model like this, but the principle of threading is the same for most vintage machines. You need to establish a couple of things.
1. get a piece of fabric and put it under the machine, without thread. Try the balance wheel in each direction and note which way feeds the fabric through correctly - always turn the wheel in that direction.
2. which way does the needle set? look at the needle mount on the machine closely - it will have a flat surface to match the flat of the needle to. most vintage machines thread sideways, not from the front like many modern machines. your machine LOOKS like it threads left to right, with the flat side of the needle to the right.
3. put in a fresh needle. the most common cause of skipped stitches or badly formed stitches is a blunt or crooked needle (followed by incorrect upper or lower threading, incorrect needle placement, incorrect tension).
4. you are missing your spool pin - it will either be tap in or screw in and you can get these from a good sewing machine dealer. have a look at the hole - can you see screw thread? if not, a tap in is probably ok.
5. thread path - turn the wheel in the appropriate direction until the needle comes to it's highest point - this will bring the takeup lever to the top. Take thread across the top, through the thread guide hole, down and between the tension discs, catch the spring wire and the thread guide on the other side, up through the hole in the takeup lever, follow the thread guides down to the needle.
6. the bobbin. Is it a drop in bobbin (flat) or a separate bobbin case (vertical)? flat bobbin - hold the bobbin in your right hand with the tail coming off to the left side. Lay it in the hole and catch the thread in the spring (should be a tiny gap) and carry it across to the middle. close the cover with a tail of thread coming through, like it is in your photo.
vertical bobbin - put the bobbin into the holder, pull the tail of thread into the spring slot and out at the top, then insert and put the tail through the cover as above.
7. turn the balance wheel until the upper thread picks up the bobbin thread and bring it through.
8. getting the tension right, if it has no markings- righty tighty, lefty loosey - play with it until the upper and lower threads are even in the stitches. it sometimes helps to use a different colour on top to the bobbin, so that you can tell which is which.
9. winding a bobbin - first disengage the needle mechanism of the machine by turning the small knob in the middle of the balance wheel anti-clockwise until it's loose. It looks like on this machine your bobbin winder tension is behind the wheel, at the back. Take the thread around this disc in a full loop action, so it goes all the way round. put a fresh bobbin on the pin at the front, it may need to click into place on the spindle. run a tail of thread out through a small hole in the bobbin, Push down to engage the tyre to the wheel, hold the thread tail until the bobbin starts to wind, and run the treadle to wind the bobbin.
Bernadette thank you so much for you information. I am very new to all antiques and sewing machines. I just think these are beautiful and didn't want them to be thrown on the dump. That's what my Dad had planned for them. He said as you get older having antiques around just reminds you of how old you are...haha. I guess for him that is true but I see the beauty and amazing workmanship in antiques. I love the look of the treadle machines especially. Your information on how to use the machine is extremely helpful and you have been very thorough. Sorry to get back to you so late but I had an incident with a chicken bone that landed me in hospital. Something you insure your pets for but would never have throught to insure myself for it..hehe. Anyway, your information about your Lada machine may be the key and gives me another search option. I will keep you posted as to my progress and if I find out anything new. Once again thanks for your amazing information. Much appreciated.
I think your Lada machine looks alot like mine. I think they were made by the same manufacturer. Another weird thing I found with the other machine (Singer) that was with it was an old Moscow newspaper hidden up under the drawer. Very weird but also interesting I guess.
You're most welcome :) hope you're feeling better after the chicken bone incident.
It would be great to know if you find further information now that you have a place to start.
Was there anything else in particular you wanted to know about the machine?
Yep much better now thanks. I will definitly let you know if I find anything else. I think that's alot of information. I have alot of reading to do before I even know what the parts are on the machine but you have made it alot easier for me. Thanks
Singer had a factory in Russia - but that may or may not be the reason you found a Moscow newspaper in it :) Perhaps you could post your Singer and I'll see if we can work that one out :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACHINE-A-COUDRE-LADA-121-Tchequie-escamotable-dans-un-meuble-naaimachine-/290780656701? a little more 'evidence' - looks to be the same as yours :)
I have added the picture of the Singer and the information that I got emailed to me from the Singer company. I think the newpaper has more links to the other machine. My Dad is married to a Russain lady so maybe it goes back in her family. I don't really want to ask any questions in case it brings up the past as I don't think it's a pleasant one.
did i not tell you bernadette was great!!!!!!!!!!!! -- i knew she'd get to the bottom of this mystery for you -- so glad you two got together -- great reading and information on this posting!!!!!!!!!!!! -- thanks to the both of you
<blush> thank you epson233. It was an interesting coincidence that I already had a Lada machine, otherwise I might not have made the connection :)
you deserve the blush -- sure it looks nice on you -- got you on my following list -- if i get stumped -- i'm going to be looking you up girl friend -- have a great weekend
Bernadette rocks! I never thought this was going to be answered, especially so thoroughly. Thanks for forwarding my details on epsoon233 :)
epson...doh! sorry about the spelling
your most welcome sweetie -- good luck with your machine -- i am an elna su 68 (swiss made sewing machine) girl -- have three -- they do everything from keeping our motorhome in canvas covers for winter to making her curtains -- which is my plan for this summer -- have a great weekend
I can't believe how many older machines are still working like the day they were bought. They don't make them like they use to that's for sure. Good luck with your curtains. I will have a look online at the elna su 68 :)