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Post by rst on Sept 27, 2015 15:23:20 GMT
I think I'm going to try a new hobby -- finding and restoring a vintage sewing machine, preferably a treadle or hand crank. I've already enjoyed reading up on the various models and makes and the pro/con arguments for each. I think it's a do-able task with my mechanical skills (rudimentary), and it ties in nicely with my other big hobby of quilting. Not that I will ever give up my Bernina for serious sewing, but it would be fun to dabble. And sewing during power outages!
So anyone out there also into the good old machines? My grandmother had a lovely featherweight Singer with pretty scrollwork and decals, but I'm pretty sure my aunt snatched it up and sold it for some cash. Besides which, I keep finding myself more drawn to those pre-electricity machines. The treadles are bulky, but they have a coolness factor so it could sit out in public space as a piece of furniture, I think. My DH is not too excited (yet) but his engineering mind will be beguiled by the clever design, I feel sure.
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 27, 2015 16:02:39 GMT
I love old sewing machines. I'm still mad at myself for leaving an old black Singer in the attic of my first house. Just last week I pulled out an old Touch and Sew that wasn't working. My mother-in-law gave it to me years ago. I fixed the problem and cleaned and oiled it and it is sewing like a dream again. It is an all metal machine made in the '50s. It is in a wood cabinet and I'm going to paint the cabinet next week.
I love old sewing machines. They were made so much better when they didn't have plastic parts. I've always wanted an old industrial machine. I scan craigslist every once in a while looking for one. I'd like to use it to sew leather and heavy canvas and upholstry.
I've always done my own repair work on machines. It's not rocket science. Go for it. You will be rewarded and may find a real jewel of a machine.
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Post by gramasue on Sept 27, 2015 16:03:45 GMT
www.motherearthnews.com has an article on restoring vintage treadle machines. I think it would be fascinating! Good luck with your search.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Sept 27, 2015 16:25:25 GMT
As soon as these kids move out and I can have a quilting room instead of a homeschool/quilting room, I'm getting my great-grandma's treadle Singer from my mom's house. Of course, my kids are 7 and 4, so it's going to be a while.  |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Sept 27, 2015 16:27:54 GMT
My bestie in Japan had one that is sterling silver in places. The wheel as well as the foot pedal was ornate silver. (They don't wear shoes in the house so it doesn't get dirty...just tarnished from the air). She could get an electric one but this one works really well so she said she had no need.
I think this sounds like a fun new hobby for you! Good luck!
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Nanner
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Post by Nanner on Sept 27, 2015 16:39:14 GMT
I don't know much about them, but I do have my grandmother's old treadle machine. It's been in my basement for 20 years and I know she didn't use it for about 20 years prior to that, but I do believe it still works.
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Post by rst on Sept 27, 2015 16:41:36 GMT
The treadle machines are intriguing because they were designed with the expectation that the users were going to self-service them, so they're pretty easy to refurbish and restore, or so i read. It's kind of horrifying to see Pinterest pins on how to cut the machines in half to make book ends and convert the tables inot aquarium stands and the like. . .
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Post by kellybelly77 on Sept 27, 2015 16:52:35 GMT
It's not a treadle, but I have a 1960's Singer. She's a beauty! Heavy as I'll get out but stitches like a dream! I also have a 1970's baby blue Necchi. When my grandma passed away my aunt gave me her 1960's Elna. The receipt was still in the owners manual!!! I'm a fan of the older machines!
I have 8 machines right now. They just keep finding me and coming home!!
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marimoose
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Post by marimoose on Sept 27, 2015 16:52:47 GMT
The treadle machines are intriguing because they were designed with the expectation that the users were going to self-service them, so they're pretty easy to refurbish and restore, or so i read. It's kind of horrifying to see Pinterest pins on how to cut the machines in half to make book ends and convert the tables inot aquarium stands and the like. . . Yikes! I would never do that. Treadle machines represent a piece of history and destroying history just isn't acceptable or pretty soon we will have no links to our past. I know, I am a goofy sentimental sort at times. I have my grandmother's old treadle machine that came form the old family farm in Pennsylvania. It meant something to her even way back when they were relocating to Colorado during the Depression. The machine traveled with them, which to me seems pretty amazing. I have not used it in years but hope someday to open it up and check it out when I have more space. I do remember learning to sew (sort of) on it. My other grandma used it when she visited us so many years ago. |
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Post by gorgeouskid on Sept 27, 2015 16:56:15 GMT
I bought a lovely Singer featherweight on eBay some years back. I trolled forever and finally found one. I don't have it anymore, though. I wasn't sewing anymore and wanted it to have a forever home where it would be used.
My father has my great grandmother's treadle Singer that I should one day inherit. He doesn't like me much, and withheld it from me when my grandmother died. It was supposed to go to me. I'm hoping that he will get over his issues and actually let his handlers give it to me when he dies.
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Post by roundtwo on Sept 27, 2015 17:11:41 GMT
I don't have any vintage machines but I follow Bonnie Hunter - I think she just might be the vintage sewing machine queen! |
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Post by rst on Sept 27, 2015 18:07:44 GMT
Thanks for that Bonnie Hunter link -- I've followed her quilts on Pinterest for a while but hadn't seen her vintage machine info -- tons of stuff.
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seaexplore
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 27, 2015 18:28:34 GMT
Oh! Old machines! My dad has a Morse machine that he's having cleaned up for me. Apparently it was used 1-2 times and then put away by the original owner. It is even in the original case from the 1950's. Complete with the 50's eggshell blue/aqua paint! I'm so excited to get it! I use the heck out of my viking emerald machine and he assures me that this other one is more of a workhorse!  It doesn't have a manual but I can find info online for how to use it. |
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oaksong
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Post by oaksong on Sept 27, 2015 18:37:54 GMT
I have a vintage electric 50's Singer. When I was in college, I came across a treadle machine. I bought the cabinet and let the antique dealer keep the sewing machine. My newer singer fit into the cabinet perfectly, since all of the hardware was standardized. It's still my favorite machine.
The cabinet is tiger-stripe oak, and I'm thinking about committing the ultimate sacrilege of painting it. I've always hated it when people paint beautiful wood, but now I like the look of it so much better.
I think it would be fun to have a treadle machine. I used to see a guy sewing in the parking lot at Grateful Dead shows. There's a guy who sets up his machine on the street and repairs clothing for homeless people. You can take them anywhere.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 18:50:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2015 18:43:47 GMT
My daughter inherited a treadle from her great-grandmother that belonged to even a few more generations back. We really need to replace the belt but the actual treadle is very sticky since it sat in a basement in Pittsburgh (and who knows where else) for many decades. But she is a real beauty!
I do dream of a featherweight, but just can't justify the prices...
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Sept 27, 2015 18:47:09 GMT
How timely! I was just looking online last night about ideas to refurbish, fix, restore etc. an old Singer sewing machine. I have my great-grandmother's with me. I love the look of it, but it's in rough shape. The wood is very dried out and split, and the drawers don't open easily because some of them are cracked. The machine though, is still threaded like it was just used, and it has all the original spare parts! The treadle machines are intriguing because they were designed with the expectation that the users were going to self-service them, so they're pretty easy to refurbish and restore, or so i read. It's kind of horrifying to see Pinterest pins on how to cut the machines in half to make book ends and convert the tables inot aquarium stands and the like. . . I've had this machine with me for probably... 15 years? And I've been afraid to ruin it. I've started having it looked at and am considering taking the top off and making it a table, and using the sewing machine as a display piece. I don't want to completely make it something different, but into something usable for it to be passed along. I don't want to destroy it by any means. It's just, in the condition it's in, it needs help. I do know what you mean about sawing it in half. I think I'd be more inclined to do crazy stuff if I picked one up somewhere but because it was my great-grandmother's, I have to be very careful and do something wonderful with mine. |
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Post by rst on Sept 27, 2015 18:54:30 GMT
The treadle belts are really cheap to find online, and the replacement process is apparently very easy (I say this as a result of my recent reading, not because I've done it myself). If a machine has been sitting for a while, a good cleaning is a must, as well as lubricating it. I'm finding that it's even possible to replace the gold decals in situations where they've totally worn off.
Because Singers are so common (they're not rare, but they are desirable) there are lots of replacement parts, both vintage and reproductions. I'm finding it interesting how the company operated too -- they offered upgrades and updates for manual machines, turning them into electric, or they offered new upgrades in style or features for the cabinets. The base model machines made in the late 1800s cost the equivalent of 7 to 8 weeks of a laboring man's wages, so they were quite a prized possession. As a family had the wealth to do so, they might upgrade to a new cabinet with nicer drawers or add new components to the machine, and because Singer machines were largely interchangeable in many pieces, it was relatively easy to make these upgrades.
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Post by anonrefugee on Sept 27, 2015 18:57:04 GMT
Please tell us about it. Will you have a blog?
I inherited one that was never converted for electricity. My relative started to refinish the cabinet so the machine was disconnected. Someday I hope to reassemble and try it.
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suzastampin
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Post by suzastampin on Sept 27, 2015 19:05:36 GMT
The treadle machines are intriguing because they were designed with the expectation that the users were going to self-service them, so they're pretty easy to refurbish and restore, or so i read. It's kind of horrifying to see Pinterest pins on how to cut the machines in half to make book ends and convert the tables inot aquarium stands and the like. . . It makes me sick every time I see things like this. i have a Singer treadle machine. It sits in my living room. Sometimes I have it closed and other times opened so the machine is visible. It's a beautiful old machine. I have a Pinterest folder of all sewing machines. Some are so beautiful and some I never new existed. |
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Peamac
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Post by Peamac on Sept 27, 2015 19:55:23 GMT
I have a 1913 or so Singer treadle sewing machine. I got it at a yard sale over 20 years ago for $60 I think. I sewed a lot of things with it until I got a regular machine.
FYI- There are a lot of vintage sewing machines on craigslist in our area- in the arts/crafts section and the antique section.
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stittsygirl
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Post by stittsygirl on Sept 27, 2015 20:20:40 GMT
My mother had an old Singer treadle when I was growing up, and I sewed a very thick wool coat with it when I was in high school. It went through the wool like butter. I would definitely want one again if I had a need for it, because they are built so well. I still have a 1955 Pfaff that needs some work, including a new power cord and foot pedal. It's a beautiful, extremely solid machine, but I'm not attached to it. If there is any Pea within a 50 mile radius of Olympia, WA who would like to have it and get it working again, I'll gladly give it to you. I've been too lazy to list it on Craigslist yet . |
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 27, 2015 20:33:20 GMT
careful it can be really, really addicting. Stalk craigslist. Sometimes stuff comes up at amazing deals, but they are usually scooped up fast.
I got a White 1890's treadle for $40, a Singer 99K for free, a Singer 401A for $19.99 at Goodwill, a Singer touch and sew (an early all metal workings one) and a couple others from random people. You would be amazed how many people have them laying around. I posted on our local email group asking if anyone had one they were willing to part with and with in a day or so I had offers of at least 5 different machines.
There is a great vintage sewing machine group on facebook and for the most part they are really helpful!
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Post by papersilly on Sept 27, 2015 20:58:56 GMT
I love sewing but my vintage machine of choice are the old manual typewriters. i have a few that I'm absolutely in love with and i always keep my eyes peeled for other interesting ones. i don't collect to display. i collect to use them in my paper crafting.
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Sept 27, 2015 21:19:44 GMT
The treadle belts are really cheap to find online, and the replacement process is apparently very easy (I say this as a result of my recent reading, not because I've done it myself). If a machine has been sitting for a while, a good cleaning is a must, as well as lubricating it. I'm finding that it's even possible to replace the gold decals in situations where they've totally worn off. Because Singers are so common (they're not rare, but they are desirable) there are lots of replacement parts, both vintage and reproductions. I'm finding it interesting how the company operated too -- they offered upgrades and updates for manual machines, turning them into electric, or they offered new upgrades in style or features for the cabinets. The base model machines made in the late 1800s cost the equivalent of 7 to 8 weeks of a laboring man's wages, so they were quite a prized possession. As a family had the wealth to do so, they might upgrade to a new cabinet with nicer drawers or add new components to the machine, and because Singer machines were largely interchangeable in many pieces, it was relatively easy to make these upgrades. I inherited my Nana's Singer that my Grandad gave her as a wedding present in 1940! And it still works! I contacted Singer with the serial number and they told me that it was originally a treadle made in 1920 (they sent me a pdf of the manual and also told me the city and month and day it was manufactured). They also said that when electricity becoming "popular" in the late 1930's a lot treadle machines had an aftermarket motor and light added. The motor on mine is from Bell-Howell. Mine is also the rough version, no smooth finish or fancy paint job but the front part is scrolled silver. |
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Post by FrozenPea on Sept 27, 2015 21:27:58 GMT
I have a treadle machine that belonged to my husband's great grandmother. His grandmother gifted it too me. My mil learned to see on it as a girl. It is a Minnesota Model B in a beautiful wooden cabinet.
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Post by rst on Sept 27, 2015 21:28:47 GMT
Beaglemom-- I don't have space to get too wild and crazy, so I'm enjoying the search online and trying to pick up knowledge as I go so that if I ever come across one of those amazing deals, I'll know it when I see it. Craigslist has several interesting possibilities that don't seem too outrageously expensive, but I'm still in the discovery phase. There are some gorgeous machines out there, but the prices are way high, and really, the point is not just to have one (which would be fun) but to restore and repair one (which to me is more fun). So the trick will be to find one that is cheap enough but still has potential to shine and won't cost me too much to make all pretty and functioning.
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Sept 27, 2015 23:26:09 GMT
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Post by gale w on Sept 27, 2015 23:55:25 GMT
I have a singer red eye in an original oak cabinet that someone gave me. I think it needs work. Eta : it's a treadle.
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 28, 2015 0:11:50 GMT
I have a singer red eye in an original oak cabinet that someone gave me. I think it needs work. Eta : it's a treadle. I would love one of those! I have a very beat up red eye that someone must have left out in the elements. But for $15 I just couldn't pass it up. I hope to someday restore it. |
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Post by rst on Sept 28, 2015 0:22:22 GMT
I think a red eye is one of my top wish for models.
Sherri -- that's a lovely machine pictured. So nice to see the table all pretty again.
It's interesting to see that you can buy individual drawers online to replace missing or damaged pieces. There's a truly lovely piece about 2 hours from us -- higher price than I originally wanted to do, but the cabinet is really wonderful. If it lingers on craig's list, I may have to go on a road trip.
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It doesn't have a manual but I can find info online for how to use it. 
I love to sew and old sewing machines have a special place in my heart. Many, many years ago, my Mom used to sew on her Mom's treadle. We moved and she gave it to her cousin. I would love to have that old treadle!! As a result, I began to look for an old treadle several years ago. I found a beauty on Craigslist for $65. It is in excellent condition and came with extra belts. Then my oldest DD found another treadle. It lived with us til she moved out on her own. 
