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Showing posts from February, 2024

Juki Frou Frou Rotary Take-up domestic machine 1979ish

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 I don't own this machine, but I'm currently looking for a similar one: ) Made in Japan in the late 1970s with iconic looks & is that little bit different from the conventional period sewing machines: ) It's a Zig Zag, but it's also got a rotary thread take up system which is/was different from the rest! Portable, compact, stylish & a brilliant design. I'm a big fan of the portable, compact Elna Lotus, but this machine takes the concept a stage further. Check the amazing separate lamp! The yellow & black colour scheme is eyecatchingly lovely also, IMO: )

New Home, badged 'The Williams'. Manufactured in USA 1916.

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Came across this machine on my favourite Ebay Charity site last weekend, placed a couple of cautious bids & won it for £28! I thought it looked old because of its 'leaf spring' type of upper tension & the decals looked good for its age. Never heard of 'The Williams' brand so I assumed it was a badged machine from a biggish manufacturer. (a common practice at the time) I did no other research on it prior to winning it. Ebay pic above. Looking in need of some TLC & mostly complete - hopefully with its shuttle! It's my first USA made machine so I was confident that I'd find some info on the Victorian Sweatshop forum ; ) Sure enough I learned within a couple of hours it is a New Home machine. Made in Orange, Massachusets. New England. This one is a long way from home here in Old England... The company has a long & complicated history, now a part of Janome & I've actually had a 1960s Janome/New Home in the recent past. Comes with its original