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Stitching & Crafting Room:  treadle machines  |
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quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 09:58:39 AM
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I love treadle machines too. I have two of them. One is a Singer and probably looks a lot like Clare's. My grandmother's sister used it to make alterations for "The Cresent" department store in Spokane, WA.
My other treadle is a Willcox & Gibbs chain stitch machine. It is really, really cute. I found it totally by accident at an estate sale near my home. It came in a parlor cabinet and has a "coffin top" (a box that sits upsidedown over the machine). It was very poorly taken care of and some of the wood has warped. It is solid slabs of wood, not veneer. I cleaned it, oiled it and shined it up the best I could and replaced the belt. I got most of the information from the Treadle On site, and was priviledged enough to have "Captain Dick" (who owns the Treadle On site) offer to look at it for me. He was impressed with my find. I have gotten it to work and it has and amazingly beautiful stitch. It is one of the very earliest models made by this company and has glass tensioners. I think it was made around 1870 and I so wish I could know where it has been throughout its life. It even came with its original manual which has no pictures, just words to describe how to thread and oil and such.
I love sewing machines. :-) I have to admit, however, that my computerized embroidery machine get the most work.
Nancy |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 12:32:41 PM
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As I read through all the postings it looks like the past year (maybe longer...) Clare was on her hunt for her machine. It was calling your name and it was definitely your day!!! YAHOO!!! I am so pleased for you!
I have not joined the ranks of you treadle owners though I do have a base we use as a table. My cousin had her heart set on Gram's so I couldn't deny her! I do have a few vintage machines that are very interesting however. My Mom's circa 1950 somthing White in it's Shaker cabinet is the machine I learned to sew on and to this day if I need dependable and quick that's what I use.Everything is made of metal and it is extremely heavy but sews like a (tank driven)dream.It's almost industrial it is so heavy and precise. I found in one of my (heaven forbid!) trash picking forays a very cool machine .It is blue with gold lettering and is very curvy and stylized sort of a 1920-30's design maybe. The brand is Morse and it says in very unique gold lettering "A Precision Manufactured Sewing Machine". It just sits out on a little table next to my wire form "Sewing Betsy" and looks nice it's such a pretty little machine! I have yet to try it, strange , huh? The rest of the time I use a portable tabletop Singer "Quilter" and rarely use all of it's bells and whistles so I can't imagine what I would do with the fancy computerized models!
How cool for all of you...where else could we "chat" about our love of old sewing machines?!!! Maybe some day I will also treadle!
Sew on!
with a happy heart |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 12:55:14 PM
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Bramble, I think you may be right on the mark about my treadle machine calling my name....When I was deciding at the yard sale, it was asking me "How could I NOT adopt it??".. Now that I've gotten it home and it's sitting in my designated sewing area (read: dining room), it's letting out these sighs of relief, like "finally, I'm at home again!"... I can feel these, and I touch and pat it as I walk by. It looks like it should have been here all along in my old house. Comforting for both of us. (I hope I"m not loosin' it here, but you girls can probably relate!  )
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 1:36:10 PM
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I can sure relate to what you are saying girls...This brought up another thought on our beloved sewing machines. Clare placed hers in her dining area/sewing place. Bramble, Where are your machines used for sewing? I have my Mom's 1955 cabinet Phaaf and she is a honey. I also learned to sew on her. I have it in what was once the girls' nursery but it just doesn't "work" for me there anymore. I want to move it to a larger, lighter space. Thinking of the dining room also. Is there such a thing as feng shui for sewing space? I need lots of air and space around me when I work...whether it be doing art, reading, computer, anything that requires concentration. The nursery is too cozy and snug for this. Do any of you feel this way when you are engrossed in a project of some sort? Do you need natural light and an outdoor view when you sew? Just curious.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 2:36:46 PM
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Good points, ML. My dining room space is not ideal for sewing, but it does have a french door, so extra light comes in. I prefer to sew in the morning when the sun is shining in, but for me that can only be weekends, so I sew when I can. It's better than any of my other options, and I just leave things in place and walk away... don't bother cleaning up each time.
Last week I was in Safeway (one of those "just go in" moments), with the intention to pickup up a deli salad. On the way to the counter I passed the bargin book bin, where everything was half off an already low price. I picked up a couple kids books for my grandkids, and one for me. Mine was "In the Studio with Judy Murrah - 12 playful quilted projects" for $1.85  . You should seek it out just to look at the pics of her sewing room. It's not shown fully in this link, but opposite where she's standing in the big pic are two whole walls of wrap around windows. Now that's my idea of a sewing room. Maybe some day! Dreaming.
http://www.ggcreations.com.au/althea/books/qmixed/inthestudio.html
I've done alot of Feng Shui reading and I haven't seen sewing rooms addressed. Typically with Feng Shui, they don't want your back to the door when sitting at a desk, but for most of us sitting at a sewing machine we want to be facing a window for the light... so not really sure if those principals can be applied here. I think just having your space organized and not too cluttered would be benefical though.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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countrykat
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
kathy
paola
kansas
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2005 : 9:14:33 PM
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| I set my portable machine up on the dining room table and leave it there until my project is finished. Usually I'm done in an evening as I work with the fabric panels, sew on coordinating backing and batting and viola. On the last crib quilt I made I also machine stitched twice around the printed design in a sort of frame pattern, this was my preferrence to tying it. I like this place to work as there are two huge windows (floor to 7') that face South and the dining room is half a floor up from the living room and has a huge vaulted ceiling from the front (living room) to the back (kitchen) with the dining in between. Lots of open airy space. So I would tend to agree with you Meadowlark |
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countrymamma
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Rural Manitoba
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 07:16:03 AM
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I too have a Singer treadle sewing machine - 1924. I picked it up at a yard sale a couple years ago. It works perfect, has all the attachments and it sits in my living room.
I find it amazing how many people are purchasing these old machines. I love it!!
I would bet if these machines could talk, they'd tell us many wonderful stories. I always think of how excited that woman would have been to have gotten her treadle machine. Probably as excited as many of us are in finding them at yard sales. |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 09:41:02 AM
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Just passing on some info girls. After much online searching and many dead leads, I finally found that Singer Company offers free identification of model numbers and free downloads of their manuels!! Yahoo!
My new find is a Model 66, born on October 22, 1926, in New Jersey. How cool is that!
Here's the info for calling: 1-800-474-6437.
Once you know your model #, based on the serial # on the machine, then you go to : www.singerco.com , click on buy accessories, then product manuels, then search for your model number. You'll get a page where you can buy an actual manuel that they send to you, or my option choice of downloading the manuel for Free!
Now I can think about cleaning it up... didn't want to do anything without a complete manuel. It's probably tough as nails, but I was thinking "handle with care". Speaking of care, old sources say to clean an unused gummed up machine with kerosene or gas!! Egads. Don't want that in my house. Do any of you have alternative, modern recommendations?
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 11:43:25 AM
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what about WD40?? my husband swears by that stuff and it comes in an aeresol can with a long straw like thing to reach into tight spots. Just an idea.
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2005 : 12:11:52 PM
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Great idea, Jenny! I totally spaced that out! Cool - I even have a few cans!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2005 : 09:38:40 AM
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Just thought I'd add this resource of Singer parts:
http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page47.html
My thread pin is on its' way and I'm excited to get it and try out the machine!!! Small pleasures!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2005 : 9:27:04 PM
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Girls, Girls, Girls!!!! There's a "Singer Treadle machine" advertised in a yard sale tomorrow.... Do I dare go look? Do I really need another one? My conscious is saying "stay home"... but man oh man, I'm itching to get there!
What to do, what to do??????????????????????????
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2005 : 11:33:37 PM
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Go to the garage sale!!!!! A person can never have too many sewing machines or fabric!
Kay - Living in Beautiful Washington State
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."
--Eleanor Roosevelt |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 03:56:32 AM
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Clare,
Go take alook, I have a girlfriend that's thinking about selling one from her grandmother, I'm just waiting for her to tell me what she's going to sell it for.(I bought one about 5 years ago at an auction, first thing I did was have my repair guy go thru it when he was here to service my industrial machine. He said I got a great machine and only sold me a new belt).
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 06:08:14 AM
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Hi guys - I have sure enjoyed reading all the posts about treadle sewing machines and I see that many of you still use them. I have my grandmother's White, handed down from my mom, and I have the receipt (1914), the instructions, the warranty booklet and accessories. It still has the original leather belt on it, too. And it serves as an end table in my guest room. I know, that is awful! It was in perfect condition until last year when my daughter had the flu and was staying in that room. She laid a wet washcloth from her feverish head on it overnight. The wood veneer got damaged a little from that. It even has an inlaid wood ruler when you open the top. I love it so much, but have never felt comfortable sewing on it. I really need to roll it out into the room and teach myself, but I am afraid of breaking it somehow.
When I was young, it was my job to dust on Saturdays, and I always hated dusting the wrought iron legs of the sewing machine because of all the intricate design. So what do I have to dust now? The same legs!
Clare - did you go to the sale? And???? :) Does a new vintage sewing machine live with you? I hope so!
jpbluesky
Heartland girl |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Aug 06 2005 06:10:10 AM |
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thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 06:25:11 AM
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Mom has a treadle. She has a Bernina and a serger too but she and Dad do a lot of camping. They also live in a place where power outages are an issue sometimes.
She doesn't want anything to interfere with her sewing or quilting so when there is no power, the treadle comes out. She said she learned to sew on one as a kid. She always re-made her sister's cast off clothes.
I think sometimes she just enjoys the "zen" of sewing more when she is using the treadle. It allows her to full immerse herself in the activity she loves most.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 10:16:45 AM
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Fate stepped in girls, and I didn't wake up until 8am... but I decided to chug a lug my coffee, put on my visor which disguises my bad hair days pretty well, and some random garden clothes and went out anyway. A quick stop at the ATM and I was there at 9amish... but alas, it had sold for $50.... which I am just fine with because it was in really poor shape (cabinet and machine). So, I'm feeling really blessed that the one I found earlier this year was a much better value for the same cost!!! Funny how we get our positive feedback in unusual ways, isn't it? I found other treasures there that I will post about in Treasures Found!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2005 : 7:41:41 PM
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I picked up the Singer treadle from my girl friend yesterday.
I did so checking, it was made between 1910-1912, Table cabinet #6
Serial # G2311788, and is a model #127, with Memphis-Sphinx decals.
Great resource site... http://www.needlebar.com/singer.html
The unit is a little more battered than I had hoped, but it's okay.
I started to clean it today, this will be a job.
I know I can get it back to working condition, I will stop down to my repair guy and get needles,a couple bobbins and a new rubber piece for the bobbin winder (cracked and split).
I think my plan will be to get it back to working condition and try to find a new home for it, as I still like my Davis treadle.
So if anyone knows of someone looking for a Singer treadle, let me know.
KarenP.
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2005 : 7:43:43 PM
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A friend just gave me a treadle a couple of weeks ago. It is a New Home and in good shape. I need to shorten the belt as the leather has stretched over time. It came with the original manuel and four bobbins. I got on line and found it was made in 1902. I layed in bed the night I got it and couldn't sleep, all my mind kept saying is,"I have a treadle machine, I have treadle machine... Needless to say, I am THRILLED!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
Edited by - Julia on Sep 17 2005 7:44:44 PM |
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BlueApple
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Julia
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 4:34:56 PM
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Julia, how nice of your friend! Have you started using it yet? I am looking for and would love to get a treadle machine!
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
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BlueEggBabe
True Blue Farmgirl
417 Posts
Susan
PA
417 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 7:13:48 PM
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Exciting news!
I was re-reading one of MJ's magazines at hockey practice the other
night and one of the hockey dads looked over my shoulder and said "Is that one of those old treadle sewing machines?"
He went on to say that his retired dad has about 8-10 of them in his basement at any one time! He buys them up at auctions for no more than $25 max.
When my eyes lit up, he says "why, you looking for one??"
Well,long story short, he buys them to basically junk the sewing machine. He then refinishes the cabinet and converts them into TV stands!The DVD or VCR "shelf" is the immobilized treadle.
Anyway, after some discussion back and forth, a few days later his dad offered to search out a "fancy" treadle for me at his auction haunts and to clean up the cabinet for basically a song.
He promised NOT to rip out the best part!" He said "GREAT!! That's the hard part!"
I also just discovered that the Amish man who services my Bernina sewing machine also services any make of treadle machine, as well!!
Woo-hoo!! I can almost feel that treadle under my foot now!
Just in time for winter by the woodstove, looking out onto my snow covered garden. It is a fantasy that I have been carrying along for ages.I will let you know when it is ready to come home with me!
"If more of us valued good food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2005 : 7:55:00 PM
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BlueEggBabe, It sounds like this guy would do well with an adoption service for treadle sewing machines! Imagine the possibilites!  I'll lok forward to your great adoption details!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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BlueEggBabe
True Blue Farmgirl
417 Posts
Susan
PA
417 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2005 : 03:02:36 AM
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Clare,
I am afraid, in this corner of the world anyway, that putting up TV stands for adoption is a much more interesting and profitable endeavor!
I can't tell you the number of strange looks I get when I talk about looking for an old, un-electrified machine...let alone wanting to actually use it!!
I am definitely in the minority, but I may be open to adopting more than one. I just might have this guy all to myself
Will keep you posted for sure.
"If more of us valued good food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2005 : 04:13:24 AM
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| Wow. Guess I should have kept the treadle Singer my neighbor gave me a few years ago. I used it as a table for a year or so and then gave it back to her (it was her great-Aunt Elizabeth's). I remember learning to sew on a treadle. What do you like about those machines? |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2005 : 12:35:59 PM
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Excited for you BlueEggBabe! I haven't used mine yet as the belt is giving me some grief, but I am determined!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: treadle machines |
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