1881 White VS1
“Mattie”
This is the oldest machine in my collection. It replaces a 1879 VS1 named Wilma. Wilma had a wobble; Mattie does not. Mattie has decals, Wilma did not. Mattie is named after the “sweet onion” that gave her to me. The VS stands for Vibrating Shuttle. This particular VS machine has a open boat shuttle that holds the bobbin.
Mattie’s Cabinet
1917 White VS III
“Betty”
We found Betty in Jackson, MS on our way home from a RV trip to Texas. I have always been a big fan of Betty White, so naming her Betty seemed appropriate.
This VS machine has a bullet shaped shuttle that holds the bobbin. The shuttle moves forward and back when stitching.
Betty’s Cabinet
1911 White Family Rotary
“Evelyn”
I purchased Evelyn locally; I just couldn’t pass up her beautiful cabinet. She is named after my Grandma White. At the time, I did not know I would be receiving my grandmother’s treadle.
The rotary machines use a round bobbin like we are accustomed to today. This model has what is referred to as a wish-bone bobbin case.
Evelyn’s cabinet
1928 White Rotary
unnamed
I purchased this machine online specifically to place in the White Sit-Straight Cabinet pictured below. You can see that the treadle pedal sits off to the left. This puts your feet more in line with the needle and you “sit straight”. I plan to refinish this cabinet as it will stay on my “keep” list.
White Sit-Straight Cabinet
1890s Queen
“Flora”
The White Sewing Machine Company made one fiddlebase machine that was badged with different names. Queen was the most common. I actually have two Queen heads; this beauty, and one I purchased in order to get the cabinet.
Flora’s Cabinet
1914 Florence Rotary
“Flo”
Florence Rotary machines were made by White. This was my grandmother’s machine. It was purchased new and made clothes for eight children and who knows how many grandchildren. Following her death in 1981, it spent most of the next 30 years in storage; during which time the cabinet sustained water damage. Fortunately, my Dad was able to save it. I am so blessed to have it as part of my collection. Someday, I will give it to MY granddaughter.
Flo’s Cabinet
Treadle Queen 
Flo and her cabinet are beautiful! I’ve not seen either previously! And lucky you, your grandmother’s treadle!
That’s a little freaky…..my name is Evelyn and I have “Evelyn’s Cabinet”
I am so happy to have found your blog. I was just given a 1906 White Treadle from my mother-in-law, I would like to restore it. I noticed it is missing a couple of parts, one of which I can see in your picture. Do you know what the purpose of the metal part that is in front of the bobbin winder and to the right of the stitch length changer? Thank you for your help.
Hi Anna. You will love your White machine. Do you know if it is a VS or a rotary? The rotary having a round bobbin like we use today. The metal part you are missing…… does it look like it is attached to the bobbin winder or does it come up from the bed of the machine? If you are not sure, let me know which of my machines you are looking at. If you want, you could email me a picture of yours (dcook@sc.rr.com) Maybe I will have the part you are missing. Donnita
I thought you might have been talking about the lever to secure the machine in the cabinet! I don’t have extra shuttles and bobbins, but I have bought them on eBay before and they have worked out great. They make reproduction bobbins, which also work. If you have not started cleaning up the machine yet, don’t get in too big of a hurry. White decals will silver very easily (losing the top layer of the decal). Cheap sewing machine oil works pretty well…..squirt on liberally, work around with your fingertips and wipe off. Repeat Repeat Repeat. I got in too much of a hurry cleaning up my grandmother’s machine. Once the decal started to silver, and probably because I am WAY TOO anal, I went ahead and silvered the whole thing so it would look uniform. Afterwards I waxed over the decals to preserve them. Have fun!!!!
Thanks for the information, some of the decals are already silver, I assume from use, or previous cleaning. I am glad to know I can protect what is remaining by waxing over the decals. I will post a picture when the work is completed.
You call machine evelyn if try find mine. 1911 fr white rotary trudle. Brittnie
Thank you so much for your reply. It is a VSIII, with help from my father, we were able to identify the missing part as a hinge that secures the head in the cabinet. I ordered, what I think is the right part, from someone on ebay. I am still looking for another shuttle and bobbins. Do you sell those items, or have an idea of where to buy them? I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to restore this beautiful machine,someday I hope sew a quilt with it.
I just acquired a 1906 Florence Rotary machine with an almost perfect cabinet like the one shown here. Machine needs some cleaning but it is in excellent shape.
Do you know the Boye equivalent shuttle? Do all the VS1 Whites use the boat shuttle? Does the boat have a lengthwise post inside?
I think Katie already answered your question about Boye NOT have an equivalent shuttle. I believe all VS1 DO use the boat shuttle. The lengthwise post inside is the bobbin, if that is what you are referring too. I don’t use my VS1, but she does sew and is my oldest machine dated 1881. I had one a couple years older, but the decals on this one were better, so I swapped them out.
Mine was evidently modified to use the bullet shuttle from a later White VS. I was able to find a boat shuttle, but it does not fit in the shuttle carrier. The machine makes nice stitches with the bullet shuttle. Eager to get it mounted in a cabinet so I can use it.
We acquired a 1906 White VSIII treadle sewing machine. It is in excellent working condition. All parts are present and operational. My wife would like to get a second (or more) bobbin.
You may be able to find some on eBay. If that does not work, try submitting a request on the flea market page of treadleon.net. Good luck!!!
Happy I found your page your 1911 white is same one I have it was my grandma grandma sewing machine she runs but look for the presher foot do stitching and stuff sadly some empty Draw of her attchment. I try find boobin cases. As well. Manuel. For I now vs3 vs2 what bobbin call . But lese can run. Fan art deco patter on here same mine. Use bit baby oli got Blake color forest up
A friend has her Great-grandmother’s fiddle base White “Queen”. It looks just like Flora. She is using it, but would love to have a copy of an owners manual. Also we could not find a serial number. Generally we are looking for any additional information we can find on this model. We appreciate any information shared.
I will send you the limited information I have.
Oh, my goodness! So glad I found this page. I just bought a machine exactly like this, only no name Queen, or White on it anywhere. It’s in almost perfect condition, and only lacks the belt, shuttle and instruction manual. I’ll try to locate them on eBay. Thank you for all the information you have given. You have solved our mystery. My Mabelle Merle drives as smooth as a top. By the way, I drove 2 1/2 hours and only paid $50.00 for her. 😍
I have a “Betty” White sewing machine and she’s inBeautiful condition…her cabinet and machine look beautiful but there are no parts or manual in the drawers. Where can I get all that?
Or would anyone be interested in buying my baby? I’ve had her for 40 year!
bonitavp@gmail.com
Thanks I just got a treadle machine given to me. A White like your Betty. It looks just like it with different design. I wasnt sure what year but I am learning to treadle. Just trying to figure how to wind the Bullet Shuddle. So excited to see all of your machines. Thank you!
I have my grandmother’s machine. It was her mother’s. Want to clean it up and need to replace a missing drawer. Also need a new belt that is held together with a large safety pin. I tried to get her a new one but was told, “it works just fine”. Grandma was a use it, reuse it and make do kind of person.
Hello! Just found your page and I’m sew glad I did! I have a White VS3 just like your Betty. She’s in beautiful shape, decals are almost perfect. Have the shuttle and a bobbin, but no needles. What size needles does she take?
I just purchased a Queen on a auction site. ( They said it was a singer. It was so dusty I could tell that it wasn’t either.) I would be most interested in learning all about her. Most of the decals are faded the word Queen isn’t on the machine or the coffin top. Would like to know how old she is. How to put her back together after taking her apart to clean her….
So if you could send me the sites you discovered and don’t mind sharing I would be greatly appreciated.
The Queen is, I believe, the only fiddle base machine made by the White Sewing Machine Company. The White “expert” is Katie Farmer. She can probably help you date it. I will send you her email address.
I have a Queen treadle super deluxe precision sewing machine which is green. It has a square base not fiddle shaped. I am looking for the age. US patents were issued in 1876 -1877. Stamp under the base is C21230
I am missing 2 drawers from Grandmas White. the belt is held together by a large safety pin. I tried several times to get her a new belt but she insisted it works just fine. so i still have that pin in the belt. can’t go against Grandma.
☺️ No you can’t
I have just the head of an 1879 VS1 that was just given to me. It’s missing the bobbin winder, the front silver plate on the bed and I’m not even sure what else. It was so nice to be able to see what it’s supposed to look like. Even though I know I will never get it running, I love owning that little piece of history.
Beautiful collection of machines. I just got my 2nd White- a Queen fiddlebase in great condition in it’s original table. She has the same decals as your Flora. Katie Farmer is an excellent resource. She informed me that
“Your machine is undoubtedly a White fiddle base. While this model was a Queen, it was sold under quite a few other badge names. These machines were manufactured as special runs which means that they were not made every year and sometimes it appears that a lapse of several years would pass before another run was ordered. ”
There are only spotty records of serial numbers and dates surviving, so precise dating is very difficult. My machine’s serial number is 77,603 but that can only be dated to 1901 to 1910.
To the person about the belt and safety pin, all the old belts came in a length that you cut to size and the two ends, after being threaded through the machine and table, were held together with a metal pin or staple so it could be adjusted if it stretched, so grandma’s safety pin is exactly right!
As to decals, they should never be washed or wiped with anything, especially soapy water, other than sewing machine oil. They were water applied decals so even water can damage them. Sewing machine oil rubbed lightly with a soft cloth is your safest bet for cleaning. Remember, a machine that’s 100 years old (or more) will never look brand new. Celebrate the history and use of your machine and embrace the worn spots or a little silver on the decals as part of the story.
Happy collecting and sewing everyone!
Hello, I have just acquired my first White, but not my first treadle. I believe it to be a VS111.?
The serial no is 1779328. Not sure of the date.
Would like to include some photos but cant do it here. Help with the date would be wonderful and if you can steer me in the right direction for more info I’d be most greatfull.
Thanks Leigh
I have a white automatic folding vibrating machine in a very nice cabinet in working condition with original book serial # 1817662 if anyone is interested
I have a White Model A ,sn. 235601. I have it cleaned up but have not been able to get it to sew.
I think it may be treading through the tensioner. Or the shuttle set up. Do you have the correct treading diagram?
Thanks Glen
I am not familiar with a White model A. Do you have a picture?
yes but I don’t know how to send it to you
The Model A VS machine was made from 1876 to 1882. There is some information and pictures on Wikipedia about it, but you may want to contact the forum from this website:
http://ismacs.net/white/home.html
There is a member there who is an expert on White machines who may be able to help. There is also a threading diagram there but I’m not sure if it will work with your Model, as it looks like a Family Rotary. You might also have some luck with the Needlebar archive website. Here is the link to their manuals
http://www.needlebar.org/main/manuals/index.html
Good luck!
I too hav an Evelyn. It was my grandmas. She bought it from the original owner in 1947. She used it until she died. It works great. Good thing my g had lots of full bobbins because I can’t figure how the thread is gel under tension on its way to the bobbin winder.
Hello… I have a Queen fiddle base identical to ‘Flora’. I just gave her a good oiling and everything’s moving smoothly so I’m hoping to get her sewing again :-). I managed to find the appropriate bullet shuttle and some bobbins (very hard to find!!)… but I have no needles and no idea what type she takes. Can anyone let me know what and where to buy??
Hello, Karen. My Queen takes a Boye size 12 needle. You should be able to find them on eBay. You can also try using a standard 15×1 needle, which is shorter. Insert it with the flat side to the right. Put it all the way in and then back it out about 1/4″. Turn your handwheel and see if the shuttle grabs the thread. You may need to play with the needle height some. Hope that helps.
Yes that sure does help! Thank you so much 🙂
Hi, I have another question about ‘Flora’. I’ve got proper needles and my Queen is sewing beautifully now, but I’m a bit baffled by the bobbin winder. It works smoothly… she’s not in a cabinet yet so I just put a rubber band around the handwheel and winder pulley and spun it by hand to fill the bobbins. My question is.. how do you engage and disengage the winder? It’s fixed solidly to the body of the machine.. it doesn’t move in or out to engage with the treadle belt. I’ve seen pictures of it with the belt in behind… I’m wondering if that’s the way they are set up to run? With the winder pulley constantly engaged? Or am I missing a piece of my winder that would allow it to move? Thank you so much for your time.. I really want to get this old girl back in tip top shape 🙂
The winder is fixed. When you get her in a cabinet you will find that winder only works when the belt is placed behind the pulley. When belt is out front, it won’t touch the pulley, so winder will not turn.
Ok, thank you… so when I put the belt on it will need to go in behind the pulley, and the machine runs normally that way, with the belt against the winder pulley? There’s not enough space between the pulley and the handwheel to move the belt back and forth, from the front to the back, once it is on the machine.
I have a Queen in beautiful condition. I am trying to locate the serial number. Any ideas where it might be?
You should find it engraved on the rear needle/shuttle plate.
Hi Cynthia, I have a sweet fiddle base Queen. I haven’t dated it with Katie yet so I’m really glad to get her email update. I did find a serial # on the back bobbin cover plate. Runs like a charm. Just got done cleaning and putting on a new belt. Runs so smooth and quite. It is in a small flip top cabinet.
Joe
Hi Margie, I recently acquired a Cute Queen in a small cabinet. I just got it working with a new rubber belt. Sews like a charm. I also wonder how to date mine. The only number I could find is on the bobbin plate back side. Maybe Donnita has some thoughts on this.
Joe
Yes, the serial number is on the rear slide plate. Queen machines were made by the White Sewing Machine Co. Katie Farmer is THE White expert. She can date your machine. Her email is kfarmer82479@aol.com. Enjoy!!
Thank you. I would love to know the year mine was made. I’ll be in touch with here.
Hi I have a white treadle but my cabinet is the mission style. I love all the history here and the different white machines. I just aquired my second white treadle head and it is the same type as my current sewing machine. I am looking for a base and treadle for this second machine and I was wondering if any of the other types would be interchangeable for the table and the base so I can mount my second sewing machine on it?? Thanks.
You will find that most white machines have the same measurements, but you have to look at how it locks into the cabinet. The latches on them very.
Hi again I tried contacting the person kfarmer82479@aol.com and the message bounced back as undelivered does anyone have a current e-mail address for Katie Farmer?? I live in Canada so I am looking for information on my two sewing machines. Thanks
So sorry. That is the last email address I had for her.
Hello! The e-mail address I use to contact Katie Farmer is kf82479@aol.com. She’ll get it. I have several antique Whites, one she is going to use in her book. Katie is awesome! Good luck with your machines!
I have a machine that looks just like your betty. My cabinet is different though. It has 3 drawers on each side. I have nothing with it so am trying to date it.
There should be a number engraved on the slide plate behind the needle. If you send that number to Katie Farmer at kf82479@ail.com she will be able to date it for you as well as give you the correct model number.
I have that same 1928 White rotary. I named it Patti, after my grammy. she was born in 1930, so close enough. mine still has the original White friction drive motor. it works beautifully.
Mine came from my great grandmother by way of my grandmother. Grandma was 92 when she passed and i am now 81. The belt is held together with a large safety pin, grandmother would not let me buy a new one because it worked just fine. I vstll use it.
What a wonderful White collection you have!💚
I have 2 White Rotarys: 1 electric 1917 in a Martha Washington cabinet, and a 1911 treadle I just picked up in a 4-drawer cabinet.
I’m missing the “Sliding Head Latch” that allows you to tilt back the machine to clean and oil underneath. I need the entire mechanism, which includes the latch, , cover, spring, washers and screws. Do you know where I might find this?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
You might be able to find one on eBay. If you looked at some of my other links about TreadleOn and TOGAs, you could possibly come across one by attending a gathering near you. Most TOGAs have their own FB group. Be sure you know what you are looking for. I bought an electric White Rotary head to put in a White sit-straight treadle base. The latching mechanism is in a different place, so it does not “marry” machine to cabinet (if that makes sense). Fortunately, I have it in an area where it can remain open. ☺️