Del Lee and his Singer

It's National Sewing Machine Day, and one Cuba City man who knew his way around a sewing machine was Delbert Lee. Lee operated a cleaners and clothing repair shop for decades on the corner of Main and Calhoun Street, where the Russell Law Office is today. 

 

This photo of sewing gear from Del Lee's shop was taken by Bob Coyle and appeared in the Telegraph Herald on October 4, 1971.

 

At that time, Lee had been in business for 48 years and was still using the same equipment, including his foot-operated Singer sewing machine. He told journalist Dave Fyten "it still runs as good as it did 50 years ago. These new kinds have plastic gears and stuff and don't run near as good."