9/17/09

Vintage Thingies Thursday...Treadle machine

It's Vintage Thingies Thursday again, sponsored by my friend Suzanne at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/. Check out her blog for her collection and all the links to other people's vintage things.

If you've followed my blog, then you know I fell in love with a treadle machine on our last antiquing trip. Last Saturday, Rob took me back to get it. And, despite the really bad weather, we encased it in plastic and gorilla tape and brought it home. The rain even held off long enough for us to stop at the Hill Country Cupboard Cafe and eat the most delicious and bad for us meal ever. They boast the best chicken fried steaks in Texas. Rob had the steak, Sydney had the chicken fried chicken breast and I had the chicken fried pork chops...Yummmy! And, for dinner, we had cholesterol pills (just kidding). But, I digress.

It took me all afternoon on Saturday and a lot of internet research to get her working smoothly. Everything had to be cleaned and oiled. When I got there to get her, I saw that the gold decals were not in the great shape that I remembered them being, but since I wasn't buying the machine as a display piece, but rather to sew on, that didn't matter so much to me. While I was there, I changed the needle and threaded it and tried to make a stitch, which didn't work, and I used that to bargain on the price. I got it for $112.50, which is a great price for the cabinet. But, when I did research at home, I found that with less than perfect decals, the machine head has no real value. What a shame. That means most of these are probably ending up in the landfill, even though it makes beautiful and even stitches, as well as my more modern electric machines do.

The reason I couldn't make a stitch is that it has a bobbin shuttle instead of a regular spool bobbin and I didn't know how to thread it. As the needle goes up and down, the bobbin shuttle swings back and forth, locking the needle thread with the bobbin thread. Once I searched out the model number from the serial number and bought and downloaded an owners manual from the internet, I was able to get it to sew quite well. The treadle action is going to take a lot of getting used to, but I made a block on it Saturday night and it worked really well. The only problem I had is that there are no marks for a quarter inch seam allowance, so I was using a magnetic seam guide that I'd never used before and that also took some getting used to.

So, here are pictures of my 1925 Singer model 127 treadle sewing machine. (sorry about all the clutter around the machine. This is my sewing room and there's not nearly enough room for all my machines and quilting paraphernalia.)


You can see in this picture that it was well loved as the decals where the fabric would go and where your hands go to lower and raise it from the cabinet are well worn. just shows this machine was well loved in it's former life and it is well loved in it's current life as well. The oak veneer cabinet is in almost perfect shape and a little lemon oil hid any small scratches. The belt is leather and had to be tightened, but works perfectly and should for many more years.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Thursday! Lane

21 comments:

Becky said...

Looks like a keeper, Lane! I learned to sew on a treadle....just be careful....it's very easy to sew through your finger. Ask me how I know.

LV said...

I never was good at sewing, but my mother was. She had a machine like this to make our cloths. My sister has it and it is in mint condition.

rt said...

Gorgeous,love the ssewing machine.

DeAnna said...

Nice machine. I have my grandmother's treadle machine, but the decals are just about gone. A very very long time ago when I was a young child I use to sit under the machine and work the treadle action for her. I don't even know if the machine still works...I should go try it out....Thanks for the memories!

Kathi Fly said...

Wow, your Singer is beautiful and what a treasure! Glad it works. I have my great grandmother's (White brand, I believe) but it doesn't work. I love it still. I bet it does takes some getting used to, but so satisfying. Would love to see the block you made with the "new" machine.

Old Time Cindy said...

Nice machine. So worth going back in the rain to get it.
Thanks for sharing!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy

Candace said...

What a wonderful find! Looks so much like one my grandmother had that she brought from the old country in 1910! I think it's wonderful that you want to sew on a treadle machine - takes a lot of practice, but I'm sure it will bring you many hours of enjoyment (and exercise - lol)!
Cheers!

Postcardy said...

It is great that you were able to get an owners manual on the internet. I wouldn't have known that those were available for such an old machine.

Jingle said...

That is a beautiful machine! Wow!

Barb said...

Lucky you...enjoy!!!

★Carol★ said...

Your treadle machine is lovely, and looks like it's in great shape! I just recently gave mine to my sister, and I kinda miss it! I recently saw one sitting outside a charity dropbox. It was so tempting to grab it, but that is considered stealing. I know, because I called the police station to ask!

Coloradolady said...

Lane....you got the machine!!! It is a beauty and I know you will be thrilled with it....I wish I had one of these, they bring back lots of memories, my mom had one when I was little and I so remember it. Your day to get this treasure sound like a really fun day...especially the food part!

Have a great VTT and a wonderful weekend.

Jocelyn said...

Oh Wow I love it!! I'd love to sew on a treadle one day!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

pwl said...

Your machine has the same decal on it as the one on which I learned to sew. And yes, it is easy to sew through one's finger on a treadle. :)

I REALLY should take some pictures of my machines and post them... as soon as I can find out where all the spare time escapes to.

Anonymous said...

what a stunner..i LOVE treadle machines!

Quiltluver said...

You went for it? Good for you. Looks like you got a real gem. Karen

ClassyChassy said...

Beautiful hardly describes that machine! Thanks for sharing! Happy VTT!

Auntie Em said...

Oh what a lovely machine you rescued! "Well loved" is a perfect description. Can you imagine the sewing items that were created with all that treadle power? Enjoy using your new addition.

Keetha Broyles said...

She is a REAL beauty!

greenhoneyhive said...

I learned to sew on a treadle machine when I was 8 yrs old. Beleive it or not my mother said we could not use the electric machine until we had mastered the treadle...She beleived the treadle was safer than the newer electric machines. Go figure. Have not seen on one in years. Would love to have a working model again, but you can never find them around here. I use to live in Schertz, Texas by the way..I really miss it. The hill country is so lovely

Nancy said...

What a lovely machine!