Apr 17 2009
Free Westinghouse Antique Sewing Machine
I got an antique sewing machine. A Free-Westinghouse ALB rotary sewing machine. She’s my new baby. The guy I bought her from said he didn’t have any attachments or manual. But when I got the machine home, there were extra needles and feet inside the cabinet that I hadn’t noticed.
I downloaded the manual. I had a terrible time locating one. So here is the link for anyone looking. Free Westinghouse ALB Rotary Manual
I have read several accounts of people getting this type of vintage sewing machine “attic fresh” without any electrical or mechanical problems. But I’m going to have it serviced just to be certain. The power cord underneath appears a bit frayed. In the meantime, I’ve wiped off the surface dust from the machine, cabinet, and parts that detach easily.
I have instructions in the manual for oiling. They say use castor oil, or some other odd oil (will need to look again). I suspect sewing machine oil will be acceptable. But that will be something to investigate before attempting.
The machine back-tacks. This surprised me. I thought that it would go forward in a straight stitch only. It doesn’t zig-zag. But that’s okay with me. I have my five year old Singer that does that.
The bobbin case appears to be in good condition. The bobbin is pretty beat up. From what I gather from internet reading, the Free will accept most Singer parts, including the bobbin.
I have more specialty feet for the vintage Free than I do for my modern Singer, five different sizes of rolled hem feet ranging from narrow to extra-wide, a ruffler, and what appears to be a quilting guide. And there is something marked “tucks.” A special tuck attachment?
One more interesting thing, the machine has a knee pedal, not a foot pedal.
Vintage sewing machine owners, please speak up. 
UPDATE: April 17, 2009
The Free accepts needles of the correct length (short). Embroidery needles have a shaft in the back. I have not had problems with skipped stitches using the Singer brand embroidery needles that were with the machine when I purchased it.
The only place I have seen online advertising parts for the Free Westinghouse ALB Model is Treadlers Village . I have not contacted them personally, or ordered from them. So I can neither recommend or discourage from their services.
Additional research also turned up this interesting information about Free Westinghouse and New Home.
New Home also has records showing manufacturing dates up to 1955. If you have a machine manufactured by New Home or Free Westinghouse and want to know the year of manufacture, please send the serial number to the New Home Sewing Machine Co, PO Box 25901, Los Angeles 25, California.
You lucko! She is a real beaut!!
My Machine is a very old singer. I belive it’s the model 221 feather weight model complete with the original carry case. I don’t know exactly how old it is, but I do know it belonged to my grandmother so it’s not at all new.
My girl had one of these given to her because she is a professional seamstress and it was in horrible shape. I knew nearly nothing about sewing and I told her I wanted to tinker with this machine. I have spent many hours rebuilding this machine and even though my specialty is rebuilding Harley Davidson motorcycles i have managed to not only get this machine running but have sewn with it. I suprised her by making something for her with the machine. She is happy that I want to learn about sewing and that I actually got this thing running. The Free model ALB is a great machine for its time.
I have one just like thats missing the bobbin and bobbin assembly. Do you where I find these. Thanks
I just bought a Free-Westinghouse ALB and it looks just like yours. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a manual. I also need to buy some shorter needles. We should compare notes as we get to know our new babies, ha ha.
Viginia,
My Free-Westinghouse ALB has the exact same serial number as yours engraved in the underside of the machine. The cord on my machine appears to be original and is in good condition. I can take photos and send them to you if you think that would help.
I would like to know what year these machines were manufactured and I also need to get a manual for it. Any help?
Virginia, you may be able to replace the extension cord with one for another model sewing machine. If you take the machine to your local sew and vac place, they can probably help you.
Andy and Virginia, if you write to New Home, with the serial number, they can date your machine for you. The address for New Home is in the updated post above.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I would love to hear what you learn about your machines. I am still learning about mine. Did either of you download a manual from the link I included?
Christine and Virginia,
I am sending my serial number to New Home so I can find out when my machine was built. I plan to go out tomorrow and look for a needle that will work …let me know if there is anything in particular I should be asking for. Thanks.
I checked my “original” cord again today and it appears to be a replacement cord. In fact, it looks like a black rubber insulated extension cord that was whittled down slightly on the female end so it would fit in the hole on the machine. It works great, so you might keep this in mind if you are unable to find a cord elsewhere.
I think the manuals for these machines are available in the “public domain” and so there should be no copyright infringement if anyone wants to make a copy of their manual and share it with others.
I would like to share a photo of my machine with you, but I don’t know how to do it…I’m a newcomer to this site. I spent the morning today cleaning up the machine and the cabinet. I’m surprised at how nice it still looks.
“Andy” (AKA Andrea)
Congrats, Christine! I hope you enjoy her as much as I did mine.
“Mine” was my mother’s circa 1939, I think. My sister was born in ‘39 and mom sewed all her clothes. I started sewing on it at age 5 in 1951. I sewed all my clothes through high school.
My mom was a gifted seamstress and fashion illustrator. Many draperies, slipcovers, suits, dresses and PJ’s were crafted on that sweet machine. My mom died in 1968 and the machine sat idle until I got it in 1982 after my dad died. I kept it oiled and used it occasionally just to keep it going. Following a family tragedy in 1991, I didn’t use it again. I got it out to see if it would run and the motor seems to be frozen.
I have all the attachments including a Famous Brand buttonholer and the original manual. I have about 8 bobbins and would be happy to send you a couple.
I have no more extra needles and haven’t found any sources yet. A standard needle will not fit as they are too long and would not allow the bobbin race hook to loop into the thread from the needle.
Marty
Does your machine have a rubberlike “gasket” to run the main wheel? (positioned in the rear of the machine??? I am trying to figure this out? I bought my machine @ a garage sale…has all the attachments. Is the manual helpful? If so, I will foolow suit. Thanks, June
June, I don’t know about the gasket. But the manual has been very helpful to me in understanding basic maintenance. It is also just plain amusing in the very old fashioned way it is laid out. I recommend ordering one.
My baby came back to me after about a 10 year wait. I have the ARE model. My EX husband was punishing me and kept the machine from me because he was upset that we divorced. When I first received the machine it was in good condition, I took it to my sewing machine dealer at the time and had them check it out for me, I was told then that the machine was made in the 1920’s I looked it up and that is what it said. My Ex finally gave it back to me 4 days ago, I was a little upset because of the condition it was in (glass rings on the cabinet top and a little chip on the top). I have to replace the cord and rubber bobbin winder spooler ring due to dry rot but I am just glad to have it back . I have all the attachments, the manual, and 7 needles. My model looks like the one in the picture and I have the knee pedal as well . Thanks for that tip on the needles.
My $2 auction find not only has the original instruction book and the Warrantee card but also has a No.1944 Farmers bulletin from the US Dept of Agriculture on cleaning and adjusting sewing machines! What fun. : ) I have every attachment and a Free-Westinghouse buttonholer. Mine is in a beautiful tiger maple case and also has the knee peddle.
And it works just fine. Don’t know if this will help, but apparantly the previous owner had a needle fetish (unfortunately most of them are hand needles) but I also found a package of Singer needles with this on the front …….
3
5950-01
90/14
38×1
They are an exact match, according to the picture in the manual. For oiling mine says only to use a good quality oil. I used 3 in 1 oil and it works fine. Yes, it is a tucker. You can do pin tucks up to 1 inch and so much more! What a remarkable piece of machinery. Thanks for the info on finding out the year. Appreciate it.
I just acquired the exact one that you have! I had to unscrew the light/motor part inside in order to plug it in… Am I missing a piece or did you actually find a plug that fits the hole at the bottom of the table??
I’m trying to figure out how to thread it now, but i’m sad you have to pay for the manual! =o/ Well, wish me luck! I’m going to try to figure it out on my own. Thanks for the posting!!
I just realized other people asked the same question about the plug.. I just unscrewed it from the base board (the two screws diagonal from each other.. (and I would tape the top and bottom of the outlet together so that it doesn’t come apart… but mine seems to be staying together without tape too… and then you can plug it directly into an extension cord without having to go through that 1 inch hole.
Hope that helps! I’m still trying to figure out the threading.. but it’s progressing.. slowly.. =o]
If this is the machine that I think it is, my mom got hers new in 1948 to make baby clothes for my sister. We were using it as late as the 1980’s, but had trouble finding needles for it. My one bit of advice is to pull your pins out rather than sew over them and risk breaking a needle. (Do you get the feeling that I have broken more than one?)My main complaint about this machine is that you practically have to be a contortionist to get the bobbin assembly loaded.
The machine should still be at my mom’s house, (she had a stroke years ago, and died earlier this year), but I have her 1956 Singer 401A, so I can’t really complain about not having the Free Westinghouse. It is a great machine for straight stiching, though.
Thanks for all the great info on this machine! I also learned to sew on my mother’s, which I just got out of storage. It looks just like the one in the photo, except she had the maple case refinished a light maple color.
I do not have room for it, and am thinking of selling it. Any ideas on what I should ask for it?
Thanks for your opinions!
Hey, I recently inherited this machine from the previous owners of the house I just bought. I would like to sell it, as I do not sew or collect antiques. Do you have any ideas on how much they go for? Or where would be a good place to list it?
Jana and Erica, I do not know what you could get for your machines. It varies a great deal based on their individual condition, whether you have the original needles and feet, etc. I can tell you that the Free Westinghouse does not command a very high price compared to others of the same era because of the non-standard needles. Many dealers will tell you that you can’t use them unless you have original needles. (You can. You just need short embroidery needles.)
I purchased mine from Craigslist. I have also seen them on Ebay, and in yard and estate sales.
Don’t use 3in1 Oil in a sewing machine. Fine oil for other purposes, don’t get me wrong, but not a sewing machine. You need a more highly refined oil. Only use true sewing machine oil (you can find this at places that sell sewing machines).
I also have this machine which I purchased about 10 years ago for only $30!! It cam with all the attachments, the manual, needles, thread and another book “A Simplified Course in Dressmaking.” It’s my favorite machine, I use it all the time, I’ve never had it tuned up. I follow the instructions for oiling (mostly) an I use regular sewing machine oil (Singer platinum collection machine oil).
But I do have issues getting needles. I guess I never figured out what brand needles to buy so I either by vintage or make my own (grinding down regular ones) What brand needles do you buy and where ?