| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Jul 29 2004 : 09:13:22 AM
Is it possible to convert an electric machine to a treadle machine.
I just bought a simple White portable sewing maching but in a couple of years when the last kid is gone, I plan to move to a remote location where I won't have electricity.
I also won't be able to transport a treadle in a wood and cast-iron table.
Does anyone know of any resources for this? I'e seen photos of women's business cooperatives in India where the women are sewing on table-top machines and they don't look electrified either....hmmm
Padma in Arizona |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Jul 30 2004 : 9:10:53 PM
I had an old Singer treadle once and most of the machines I've had or used were Singers. This portable one doesn't come in a case (I've never seen a portable NOT built into a case) and it's a White.
I wonder if it can be hooked up to one of those solar panels you can buy for laptops. I think a couple of those might just run the sewing machine if it can't be converted. Or I can use solar rechargeable batteries for the battery idea.
I had also seen hand-cranked sewing machines of the pre-treadle varieties. Not as much ability to guide the material but for the foremothers, I'm sure it was an improvement over hours of linens and clothes sewing by hand. I think that might be easier to be converted to but less convenient...
Thanks for the ideas! |
| cecelia |
Posted - Jul 30 2004 : 5:22:34 PM
I'm not sure either about converting electric to treadle, but I know you can do it the other way around. Lehman's Hardware in Ohio used to sell new treadle machines, but the last catalog I got from them, they stated they had "quality" problems (they were being made in China). Perhaps if you emailed them at their catalog, they could advise you. Perhaps you could find a working treadle machine on the Internet, or newspaper ad? I am still in the process of getting my treadle machine working - I successfully got the belt on, and the machine is working, but it is a White machine not a Singer, so I have to take my time with it, as all the info I have is on Singers.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jul 30 2004 : 05:15:29 AM
Padma -
Thanks for telling that story about rabbithorns! There is a lot of depth of thinking to your choice, and I had a feeling there was.
I have never heard of converting an electric sewing machine to treadle. Is there such a thing as a battery operated machine? Perhaps you could convert your electric to contain a battery pack, but that may cost too much for batteries!
I grew up in the midwest, too, and understand what you mean about the skies. I have visited Arizona, and the skies there were awesomely beautiful to me. We were in the Flagstaff area, and of course visited the South Rim of the canyon. Now that is a deeply spiritual place.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Jul 29 2004 : 9:17:18 PM
Ugh! I have been sewing by hand almost all my life! So it's completely funny that you say that. Everyone thinks I'm nuts because I really enjoy sewing even large projects by hand. It's so peaceful!
But I was thinking it would be nice to have an option so I bought an inexpensive simple machine again. I was just wondering though if I could use it by converting it in the future if I get back to living the way I used to before my kids "had" to live in the real world!
The name rabbithorns (I love the Rabbi Thorns name by the way) is my last resort option for yahoo because everything I came up with had already been taken. I'm a Buddhist and we study how to understand what the Buddha taught through logical reasoning rather than faith. One of the "reasons" you can give in a logical debate can be a thing that doesn't exist and never could exist - like a flower growing in the sky or the horns of a rabbit.
Also the mythical Jackalope used to be popular in these parts - a giant jackrabbit with antlers. So it's kind of fitting.
Love the bluesky reference. There's big sky in the desert but nothing compared to where I grew up in the midwest...
Padma |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jul 29 2004 : 12:44:01 PM
Dear rabbithorns -
How did you choose your moniker, by the way? It reminds me of a little stuffed trophy head I saw on the wall of a restaurant once - it was a rabbit but the taxidermist had expertly placed little horns on it's head. Is there a universal meaning here I do not know about? I would love to hear it! Or maybe it is rabbi thorns?
I am not poking fun, so please do not be offended, I just love to hear about how names come to be. I chose bluesky with my initials because there is nothing more beautiful to me than a clear sunny blue sky which allows me to see for miles. It provides me a wonderful feeling of freedom.
Back to the topic....I always digress! Someday when you are living where you have no electricity, go back and try sewing by hand. I do all mine that way, and it works well, and actually is not that bad timewise once you start to pick up speed. I know this would not work if you were having to turn out items in the hundreds, but for normal sewing it works fine. It is so nice for me to not have to worry about bobbins, and re-threading, and going too fast with my foot, etc. I feel I have more control. Plus hand-made items have a nice look to them.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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