Oh, the things people throw away. I found this sad, very old and stripped apart Singer sewing machine at the dump yesterday, left for dead. As crummy as it is, they charged me 5 bucks for it, but I knew it still had a little life left in it. I mean, just look at those gorgeous decals!
I lugged it home, took some photos of the decal work and with my amateur-at-best Photoshop skills, pumped up the volume to make some cool vintage graphics for you & me.
I was thinking about using them on a piece of scrap leather (images printed onto Dark T-shirt transfer sheet and ironed on) for another wallet or card holder, but I figure you’ve seen enough leather crafts here lately. So I sized them down and printed out the images onto matte photo paper and laminated them with 3M spray adhesive to my little Moleskine sketchbook. 
I’ll be referring to it as my Singer Sketchbook from now on.
What will you make?
gorgeous! Why can't I create like this???
Seriously lady! You are incredible with the things you come up with. I love this!! Also pondering aloud if you could somehow transform the sewing machine into a cute lamp of some sort? If anyone could do it, you could! Thanks again for sharing!
Kelly
You're such a genius Ms. Cathe!
Just beautiful
Gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing such beautiful works of art!
Can you imagine throwing something like that AWAY??
I like your motifs that you rescued from it. Did you use metallic inks or did you fake them? They look shiny!
That's so cool, Cathe!
Wow, can you imagine how beautiful this was when it was brand spankin' new? What a beauty it still is. Thanks for the graphics. You're amazing!
Thanks for sharing such a treasure!
GREAT idea!!!
Thanks for sharing! Your photoshop skillz are amazing!
sheesh, you are possibly the smartest, cleverest and coolest designer-crafter out there. every single thing you make! is completely fabulous!
no boundaries.
thanks!
Thank you for sharing! The machine you have is referred to by collectors as a "Red Eye" (because of the decals).
It looks like it could be an early Model 66 to me, but did you know that you can search a database and find out exactly when it was made?
Just go to and type in the serial number (at the base of the pillar on the machine, on that little plate) at http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html and you'll know!
Wow! Thanks a million Caity! You're a smarty-pants, in a very good way!
Ok, you are awesome! I have a similar looking old singer myself and I never thought to take a pic and photoshop it:( I am actually using the sewing machine as a cool door stop right now:)
Amazing, I love what you have done, clever! What have you done with the Singer sewing machine?
Unbelievable! You never fail to impress me with your creativity and generosity!
Jenn @ Rookno17.blogspot.com
Wow! It looks amazing. I use to sew on a Singer like that when I visited my grandma. I wonder what happenned to the machine.
I'm telling you that you are one creative lady! Beautiful artwork and the book is gorgeous! You inspire me! I love coming to see what comes next…Sharon
wao! great job! beautifully made
I'm going to have do some thesaurus research to find more adjectives to describe your ROCK STAR creativity! Damn, Girl! You're the best!
Amazing! Best 5 dollars ever spent…
I wonder if you could clean or polish the singer to make the colours stand out more – it would make a gorgeous background for taking pictures of your textile crafting projects!
Geez, I own that same sewing machine…only in slightly better shape!! I've always loved the graphics and using them on the journal was an inspired idea! You rock!
How do you not have your own tv craft show, once again you amaze me. Move over Martha, here's Cathe……
You so should be on TV.
Lovely stuff!
Cathe, I have 6 sewing machines for the beauty of them. Two are on display, 3 of them are rough like yours and now I know what I can do with them!! I've been wanting to take them apart to display just a piece but photographing them might be easier. The last one one I just bought and it is in great condition and get this–it's PINK!! Has a big time old "smell" so is out in the garage airing yet!
What a great piece Cathe! Love the look of that old sewing machine!
Gorgeous witha capital "G"! I recently saw a similar machine (cleaned up) at a yard sale for $15 and kick myself for not buying it. What was I thinking?!? Anyway, nice job. Love the graphics.
I was really moved by your post.
My grandmother was deeply in love with her Singer sewing machine, which I inherited. Unfortunately, I just keep it in my lounge next to the entrance – my husband keeps leaving things on it… Grhhh…
Any ideas how to make it nice without removing any piece from that? I'm really connected with it and I kind want it untouched, you know…
Thnx!
That sketchbook ROCKS! I want one!
Your decals are gorgeous, but I especially envy that you have that singer machine. It's beautiful.
WOW…such talent…thanks for sharing and rescuing this treasure from obscurity!!
Those decals (and your journal) are GORGEOUS!! Thank you for seeing the old machine with your artist's eyes and creating such lovely graphics.
I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/lookie-what-she-made-journal-with-antique-sewing-machine-graphics/2009/10/03/
(link will go live on October 3 at 11:00 am CST)
Gorgeous ! I love your leather projects.
That is so awesome! And your blog is beautiful, my first visit..I'll need to look around more!
Love, love, LOVE this! Beautiful work!
You're not normal, Cathe. I just want you to know that. Not normal at all. NOBODY can be THIS creative!
xoxoxo
The thought that someone would throw that machine out rends my soul. It'd take a lot of work, but I'm betting that little fella could be made to run again.
I love your idea and am seriously thinking about taking my camera with me next time I visit my Mom. She's got a machine from the turn of the century with an awesome "Ancient Egypt" motif.
I love your idea. I myself have 2 old singers, one to look at and one is my industrial sewing machine. They are so beautiful!
Beautiful – a nice idea – I'll always look at old sewing machines in a new light now!
I have that same Singer 66 in a treadle cabinet. Given me by a great friend after she found out I learned to sew on one exactly like it. Mine is named Elizabeth Red-Eye after one of her grandmothers.
How in the world do you come up with this stuff?? I'm in awe every time. Now If i can just figure out what to do with some of these graphics you share??? Thanks
I follow over 300 blogs.
You, my dear, are the most inspirational blogger in the bunch.
I am like a little kid each day hoping for a new post from you.
No pressure there, right? =)
AWESOME!! Who would take a thing of beauty like that to the DUMP??? Some people (unlike you!) have absolutely no imagination.
seriously, can you be any cooler
nerissa
Oh, do you sell these books? I love this and would love to have a journal for sewing just like this…you are so CREATIVE!
Thank you so much. These are awesome!
You've been featuered in makezine.com newsletter and thanks to them, I found out about them!
I have always loved Singer's designs, but have never thought of taking photos of them – Thank you very much for them!
wonderful blog! Came over from craft Magazine. I'm definately bookmaking this site!
love the decals and the way you did your buttons below….. You inspire me!
Beautiful work with the old decals off the Model 66 Singer 'redhead'. I collect old machines and have one of those with almost perfect decals. If you want to learn how to clean up, and even fix to work, the old machines go to http://www.treadleon.net.
Amazing work! Thanks
You did a great job on these. Many of us Singer "Redeye" collectors like to restore the machines. Some are repainted and the decals are nice to have and have been impossible to get. You can see a couple of my perfect ones here on my Flikr… http://www.flickr.com/photos/sew_mach_tech/
Again, great job!
Rick
You did a great job on these. Many of us Singer model 66 "Redeye" collectors like to restore the machines. Some are repainted and the decals are nice to have and have been impossible to get. You can see a couple of my perfect ones here on my Flikr… http://www.flickr.com/photos/sew_mach_tech/
Again, great job!
Rick
Nice job! Actually, the machine itself doesn't look too bad except for the rust. Couple days in a kerosene bath and replacement parts, it just might sew again.
Check out http://www.ismacs.net if you need more sewing machine inspiration. Lots of us crazy collectors out there
!
Thank you so much for sharing, I have enjoyed browsing all of your posts! I also love all those old cards and graphics and am amazed at all the wonderful ideas you come up with to use them. You are an a inspiration to me. Thanks again, you are always wonderful to visit!
Its beautiful! What a great idea. I have several old machines hanging around that I just can't get rid of because they are too lovely.
Gorgeous what you have here and thanks for all the beautiful goodies!
Totally cool!! So glad you rescued the old lady…they all need to be rescued by someone that appreciates their beauty. :0)
Great transformation…photoshop is so amazing.
I just tried to add myself to your follow list and Blogger is being stubborn right now. I'll try again later.
Have a great day,
Stephanie
Goah Cathe this is too amazing! Where does your brain go? Who would EVER think of such wonderfulness?
I often come across old sewing machines at auctions and estate sales and have admired their graphics, never imagining that they could be reproduced in such a creative way! Thanks for the dose of inspiration!
These are gorgeous…I can't wait to see what you do with the sewing machine!
All I can say is THANKS! For the inspiration, for the files….
You made my day.
Came across your site whislt I was trying to price up my old singer, sadly it,s time to part company):
Needless to say you are now on my favourites, you are very talented and have inspired me to get back into my crafts. Thank you.
Sandra Lancashire, England
Cathe, you are like Dr. Frankenstein! Seriously, what are you?
Imagine that, giving/sourcing another life from it. Thank ou so much for sharing it!
Cathe,
I stumbled on to your site looking for decals for singer sewing machines. Have you considered making replacement decals for these machines? I would be interested if you did. I restore these old machines and so far have been unable to find anyone that can make them. Several of the old machines that I own have decals that are worn away. Let me know.
Thanks
Gene
Hi Gene,
I actually get asked about reproducing Singer decals a lot since writing this post. However, I imagine there would be a licensing issue involved as the decals are likely trademarked images from a company that still exists. Also, it’s just not something I’m interested in pursuing. But thanks so much for your visit and ideas.
Great Work Cathe!
Gene,
I have digitally restored the full set of “redeye” decals and have petitioned Singer for permission to reprint them. I’m currently awaiting their reply. Send your Email address to C8screek@msn.com and I’ll put you on the list.
Dave
want to buy decals Singer Tiffany
WOW! this brings back memories. This was my first sewing machine, bought used for $25 in 1972. It could only sew forwards, so at the beginning and end of each seam I had to lift the presser foot, turn around the fabric, sew a little, then turn it around again.
Then I eventually graduated to another machine and gave this away to my friend. Why did I do that????
How do you get them off an old Singer?
Love the work! would you share the files? Mike
This is a wonderful idea to retain some of history! These decals are impossible to find. I myself have several singer machines with different designs on each one. You have given me ideas to retain these designs on other projects. Thank you!
What a timeless masterpiece. If I had one I’d love it forever!
I just bought one just like this today and gave only $60.00 it works and yes the art work is beautiful… I like what you created.
I am trying to find replacement decals for a singer 127 that has the memphis or the egyption design. Anyway you could help reproduce those.
Beautiful work! Do you have high resolution pictures of the decals? I would like to put them on machine identical to yours. Thanks.
I have the same exact machine with the same decals. I dont have photo shop.Could you make a complete set of decals for me,and I would definitely be more than happy to compansate you. And My Grandmother,rest her soul,would thank you
I have the same model of Singer sewing machine (66) and would like to have new decals for it. Where could I find these decals?
Hi Cathe,
Nice work on this old Singer… I restore furniture in Houston, Texas and I always have sewing machines that need to be restored.. I have the same machine as above, and in need of the decals for it so i can restore it… Any Sugestions?
Thanks
Darla
hi i have just taken charge of my late fathers old leather singer sewing machine which i am restoring and i am looking for the singer transfares or decals for same any ideas .Thanks
Hi. ;I am writing you from Turkey. My mum is sewing with this machine. She doesn’t what mu electrical one. It is beatiful.
can i buy old decals for my modle 27 singer sewing machine from 1902 ?? reproductions any where out there ????? help……..