The first practical sewing machine was patented in 1846 by Elias Howe. Not long after, Isaac Singer refined the concept, bringing sewing machines into homes and businesses across the country.

A new Vintage Sewing Club in Norway has formed to continue with that legacy. The group provides a space for enthusiasts to share their appreciation for antique and vintage sewing machines and love of the craft.

“We all have these nice, nifty vintage machines just sitting in their cases. I thought we need to get them out and use them,” club President Rosemary Ball said, adding the first meeting took place in November.

The Vintage Sewing Club is a branch of the Saintly Stitchers Quilt Guild, which was organized by Marcia LeMiere of Norway about 25 years ago as part of a Community Schools class.

Vintage Sewing Club members work on the monthly project — from left are Laura Rauwerda, Kathy Kelm and Dawn Tramontin. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)

The guild currently has 53 members, a number that has remained steady for many years.

“The guild has long supported members throughout the community and beyond,” said Ball, who has been a member for 23 years. “When I started, I couldn’t even thread the machine myself, and now I sew like crazy.”

The new group meets at 9 a.m. the third Monday of each month in the hall of St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway.

Members are encouraged to bring their vintage machines, although it’s not mandatory.

A very popular model among members is the Singer Featherweight.

Vintage Sewing Club member Greg Edbauer assists his wife, Sue, with her vintage hand-crank sewing machine. He has been restoring and repairing vintage machines for many years. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)

“They just don’t have the fancy stitches that a modern machine does, although they go through some of the thicker materials,” Ball said.

“They are light, and built to be carried,” said Greg Edbauer, who has been restoring and repairing vintage machines for many years. “Most of the ladies have models from the 1930s to 1950s.”

“These machines are workhorses. They have beautiful stitches,” Ball added.

“Vintage machines were designed to last — some are 80 to 100 years old and still working like the day they came from the factory,” Edbauer said.

He said, regardless of their age, vintage machines can be easy found online at a relatively modest cost.

Vintage Sewing Club members Sue Edwards, Carol Ries, Chloe Mortl and Rosemary Ball work to finish projects. Greg Edbauer, at far right, provides assistance during the meeting. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)

“They can run anywhere from $400 to $500, or even less when you find a gem at a garage sale,” he said. “That is reasonable compared to a modern, fancy machines of today, that some people will spend up to $10,000 for.”

After members purchase a “new,” old piece, Edbauer will go through the machines and recondition them. He also assists members who are considering a purchase.

Edbauer noted that when it comes to brand names, there’s a wide variety and it’s hard to find a bad sewing machine.

He and his wife, Sue, are partial to vintage machines, with about 25 in their collection.

“I love the engineering and how they were built very solid,” he said. “They are a lot of fun and look nice, too.”

A recent addition is a motorized vintage machine that Edbauer converted into a hand crank for his wife as a Christmas gift.

“A hand crank is very portable. You can sit on your deck and sew or even while you’re traveling in an RV,” Edbauer said. “You can go pretty fast, as well as reverse.”

The couple also acquired a Singer Rocketeer from a former seamstress in Ishpeming.

“It’s a showcase piece and in beautiful shape — it also looks cool, too,” he said, adding, “This machine has many decorative stitch options, and also came with a lot of accessories.”

Ball said there’s a large Singer Featherweight community, with an online store where owners can get parts and accessories.

She recently purchased a canvas bag that allows the machine to be carried over the shoulder. “I didn’t want to ruin my nice case transporting it,” Ball said.

The new club offers members an opportunity to explore the history and mechanics of these classic machines.

Each week, a member presents a brief history about his or her machine.

“When I purchased my machine, I had a bill of sale that was left inside by the original owner that showed she made payments of $15 until it was paid off,” Ball said, adding she has seven machines.

Many also name their sewing machines, Ball noted. “This particular piece I named Mary after the original owner,” she said.

Another member named her machine after her mother, who made all her children’s clothes on it.

“It’s always interesting to learn about the history of each of them,” Edbauer said.

“It’s so fun to find out where they came from and how they got them,” Ball said, adding, “Every machine has its own story.”

Edbauer provides a resource for the club, sharing knowledge and hands-on expertise.

“Most of the ladies are pretty smart of what is going on with their machines,” he said. “They are always getting tips from each other.”

So far, Ball has been coordinating the monthly projects but eventually plans to have members sign up to lead one each month. She said she often goes to Pinterest for ideas.

“I look for smaller things that can be completed in a day,” she said.

Some complicated projects so far include prosperity chickens, patchwork cat and dog faces and small square applique banners.

Ball said members sometimes just come to socialize and take their projects home to finish.

“It’s been very successful — we have had very good turnout,” she said. “It’s just fun.”

The club is open to all guild members and welcome new guests at any time.

The Saintly Stitchers Quilt Guild meet at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month at St. Mary Catholic Church hall in Norway.

Members are currently working on a friendship block, which will be assembled at the end of the year. The guild also has periodic challenges that are voted on by members.

The group hosts special presenters, trips and retreats as well.

Every three years, they have a fundraising quilt show, with proceeds donated to local charities.

Members take part in several community projects throughout the year, in addition to donating handmade quilts for those who are sick or suffered a fire. They make quilts for participants in the U.P. Honor Flight, too.

In addition, the Saintly Stitchers organize a Quilters Academy class on the basics of operating a sewing machine and sewing. They will offer a second academy class in the fall.

Ball said all ages are welcome at the meetings. They have a teen in the quilt academy and have made her an honorary member of the guild.

Those interested are welcome to attend either meeting at any time.

For more information the new Vintage Sewing Club, the Saintly Stitchers Quilt Guild or classes can contact Ball at 906-221-5833.

———

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.