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From: coloradoanni
Date: 05-04-2004, 12:34 PM (1 of 9)
I am pretty new to these discussions --I must say I love them! I really want to know if there are any treadle sewing machine users here --I have wanted one for a long time. We have Mennonite people in the historic part of my town who still sew with treadles sometimes, and won't sell theirs for "anything"*!! (Possibly against their religion to sell them?*?) --They are a religious community with similarities to the "Amish" but not quite as strict. Where I my little studio is located, the Mennonites have a school and housing/ church and local headquarters within a city block or two. I have chosen the historic district for my doll studio --(only a work area, not a shop or anything). I guess I like the old-fashioned approach in a lot of ways...!! I know there are some vintage sewing-machine sites on the internet- (which do you all like of those?) I `really haven't used a machine much at all --most everything I do is hand-sewing.. (greAt therapy, folks*!) > > If any of you have a "working" Treadle machine, how do you maintain it,?.. and what are the better points versus the things to watch out for. *??* Remember, I don't do any fancy machine sewing -- just straight stitching to "sew things up"!! -- Guess I am concerned about keeping the PARTS in working order, the machine belt, etc.... 
ScRaPs!*sTuDio
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User: coloradoanni
Member since: 04-24-2004 Total posts: 50 
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From: craftyboi
Date: 05-05-2004, 03:48 AM (2 of 9)
| Hi Colorado......I am a user of a treadle.I have a singer 1891 treadle and it works great.These machines are virtually maintenance free.The belt has to be tightened every so often and the machine needs to be regularly oiled but besides that that's it.I found mine in the back of an old shop about 14 years ago.It had been sitting so long that it was froze up.I used liquid wrench to loosen it up(took several days).....then bought a belt.I do mostly quilts and curtains,took me a while to get the hang of using a treadle.......but once i got my rhythem going on it......it became very easy.I used this machine for ten years before i finally decided to join the twentieth century.....lol.I now have 3 new machines that I use mostly.The treadle still is the best machine of them all though......they don't make them like this anymore......shame really.......good luck in finding a good treadle....also they do have reproduction machines out there......singer and euro-pro both have they're own versions of the treadles,they are priced about $300.00......Donny |
User: craftyboi
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 26 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-05-2004, 06:52 AM (3 of 9)
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There are a number of people who speciallize in these machines. For my birthday, my husband just bought me a 1901 Singer 28K hand crank machine...smooth as silk and BEAUTIFUL with most of the decals still intact. It still has its key, tons of attachments and original instruction book. Treddle and hand cranks are out there...ya just have to look.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: wifetod
Date: 05-05-2004, 08:29 AM (4 of 9)
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You might want to keep estate auctions and sales in mind for one. I have just been to two estate sales in the last few weeks that have had old Singers and I do believe one of them was a Treadle. Good Luck in your search.
Jolene
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User: wifetod
Member since: 01-19-2004 Total posts: 149 
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From: bkool
Date: 09-29-2004, 01:16 PM (5 of 9)
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Coloradoanni, Regarding your interest in old treadle machines: I was recently in the market for a new sewing machine, and in my web-wanderings i found that Janome makes a treadle model! See Janome.com, click on Machines & Accessories, click on Product Search list, and near the bottom of the list you'll find the 712T Treadle Powered. I don't think they make the table and treadle for it, that you work out on your own. Still, it's surprising! Hope this is helpful. -bkool |
User: bkool
Member since: 09-27-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 09-29-2004, 06:29 PM (6 of 9)
I found my treadle at a yardsale for $100 in Halifax, stood and guarded it while my then boyfriend (now husband) ran to my place to get my car  It does work but I prefer my electronic machine, there are lots of website out there about treadles and you can order belts etc from some as well as manuals etc, I did see one on sale on ebay once but it went very quickly! have fun! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-29-2004, 06:35 PM (7 of 9)
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They are on Ebay quite a bit but usually they are for local pickup. I'd be a little worried about buying one in a case on Ebay unless it was local where I could see it because you can't usually tell what shape they are in. You can often find the base and treddle without the machine on Ebay too. I've seen a couple that I thought were marvelous pieces of furniture on Ebay that I would have loved to have...but usually they are "back east" when I find them....quite often in Pennsylvania.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 09-30-2004, 07:56 AM (8 of 9)
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I live near an Amish community and there is a quaint quilt shop located on an Amish farm. The first time that I visited, I was looking at their quilts that they had for sale. I noticed a few of them had a zig-zag stitch. I asked the girl behind the counter, if someone did the quilting by hand??? She said no that it was done on a sewing machine. I asked on what machine? And she told me a newer model! I think she saw that I was confused, especially since I'm standing in a small building lighted by kerosene lanterns. She just smiled and said that they do use modern sewing machines.There is a company that they can purchase the treadles and convert the new models to run without electricity. I have that companies catalog at home, but I can't think of the name right now. If your interested I will post it later tonight or tomorrow. Happy Sewing, Liz
Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-30-2004, 10:59 AM (9 of 9)
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Lehman's catalog (also avail online) has a new Necchi machine conversion in their catalog. They sell the machine and the cabinet with treadle together or seperate. The cabinet is Amish made and is a very nice looking piece of solid-oak furniture. Since the machines are powered by treadle only, I don't think that you would find a computerized machine in a treadle.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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