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Treadle sewing machines

2/10/2014

5 Comments

 
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This is the sewing machine I learned to sew on.  It is also the sewing machine my mother learned to sew on. It was my Grandmother's and she got it in 1920, the year she married my Grandfather.

It was giving to me on my tenth birthday, because my mother and her siblings decided to give my Grandmother her first new machine since she got married, a top of the line electric sewing machine for her 65th birthday.  The store where they bought this new machine was only going to give them $10 to trade in for the treadle one, so my mother decided to pay the $10 and give it to ME!! So much better than any toy sewing machine.
When you open the lid, there is a wire that pulls the machine up into working position.
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I haven't pulled it out in a long time. I keep thinking I should clean it up so I can use it when we loose power, which happens more often that it should.

There are quite a few websites that support the use of treadle machines. They offer tutorials for cleaning and lubricating old machines and sell parts. If you are interested, I think Treadle-On is the best. Click here to check it out.
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All the parts are here except the manual.  I found one on Ebay a few years ago.
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It is so fun to see the instructions and illustrations in that book and then look at my machine and it looks exactly the same.
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Someone about 100 years ago read this booklet and sewed herself something!
There are SO many feet!  A few I'm not quite sure what they do.
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These feet will make double turned hems in 5 different sizes.
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I'm guessing this foot guides folded fabric under the needle to make large tucks.
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This one looks like it helps to apply ribbons and tapes on straight.
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This foot makes lots of tiny little tucks, like gathers. I have a foot like this for my 1970s Bernina.
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This one folds and applies bias tape.
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And they all fit into this sturdy metal storage box.
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Well, of course, every part of this machine is metal.  That's why these old machine still work so well when cleaned up.
This machine will only straight stitch forward.  It doesn't even go backwards, but I really used this machine, a lot, all the way through high school. It was very cool to be able to sew anytime I wanted, without asking permission or waiting until my mother's electric machine was unoccupied.

I tried all the feet, made doll clothes, my clothes, costumes, curtains for my bedroom and presents for people.

If you've never seen one of these in action there are a few Youtube videos you can watch.  This is the best, I think. It shows the correct placement for the feet is one foot forward and one foot back, not the feet side by side like another video I saw.
What was your first sewing machine experience? I love stories.
5 Comments
Sarah Strong
2/9/2014 11:36:17 pm

I learned to sew on Wilcox & Gibbs machines, which make a chain stitch. Secure as long as you end the seam correctly, and a little bit stretchy, and easy to rip out if you need to backtrack. The machine heads transfer easily from electric to treadle to hand crank bases, all of which we had. I took the hand crank with me to boarding school and college, where I made my high school graduation dress and other projects. I still have a bunch (my mom collected them) but none of them have been in service since I made the switch to modern bobbin type machines. I always intend to get at least one of them running again because the narrow hemmer is the best ever, and my morris dancing friends love the chain stitch hem on their hankies.

Reply
Cheryl Pollock link
1/27/2016 06:24:03 am

I too have a Wilcox & Gibbs treadle machine. I love sewing Edwardian Fashions and using this machine makes a great reproduction. My son was my machine repairman when I owned a Husqvarna Viking dealership in Albany, NY and now he buys antique machines, repairs, repaints so they look better than new and sells them. He has refurbished civil war era machines and even made them work again. Would love to see pictures of your collection. These old machines were a work of art!

Reply
Diane Mannion
3/28/2014 02:15:07 pm

Hello, I just recieved from my aunt a White Family Rotary treadle machine. It was made in 1911. It looks just like yours. What needles do you buy for it. Diane

Reply
Valerie Mundt
7/16/2016 07:26:11 am

I just inherited my grandmothers Minnesota a treadle machine. I can't figure out how to thread the bullet bobbin. Could you please help me. Thanks

Reply
Andrea
7/19/2016 01:13:51 pm

Valerie, My grandmother's machine doesn't have a bullet bobbin, so I can't help. I would suggest looking on line for a manual for the exact machine and model. Actually I think there are people who specialize in repairing these old machines. You could look for Treadle machine repair and then ask them a question.

Hope you find your answer. best, Andrea

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    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
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