I've taken a little break from quilting constantly to fixing up old sewing machines. I'm working on one now that might have been better used as a boat anchor (hubby's suggestion), but we'll see if I can get her working again.
This one wasn't in bad shape, but needed mainly a good cleaning and oiling. I had to refinish the base and cover, too. She's singing the "hand crank" lullaby beautifully now. She's only about 100 years old. I didn't look that good at 20.
that’s beautiful and I’m so impressed u r doing this!
I’m afraid my darling husband agreed, and I now have so many treadles and hand cranks to fix, we literally have at least one in every room of the house and then some!
That is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful hobby to have.
She is beautiful! Thank you for sharing that and for preserving that bit of history! My 92-year old mom says her mother used to have the best legs, and she claims it is from using her foot crank petal on her sewing machine constantly.
I got rid of my treadle when I was diagnosed and thought I’d never be able to use it. Hubby bought me another last year. That one is from 1911 and sews just as well as the day she was “born.” Made before planned obsolescence, she’ll be sewing well for my great grandchildren.
Treadle! I knew there was a word for it, but just couldn't bring it to mind. Thank you! 👍
It looks new! You did a great job.
You have serious skills, greaterexp ! 👏
I have a Jazz II machine that I do not like, plus I know that the pedal is not on its best behavior. I am going to see if I can trade it in for something else. Just when I am getting back to quilting, my machine is acting up. Keep Smiling! 
I have no skills, really! I just adore those old machines for their simple, but brilliant engineering, ease of repair, and their outright beauty!
I'm sorry you don't like your new machine. You had such high hopes for it. I'm very fond of my older Bernina with a million attachments, but for practically zero maintenance, the old mechanical machines are great. I still have my first machine, a mechanical Kenmore made in the 70's. For piecing, all we use is a straight stitch, anyway, but most folks want lots of bells and whistles, even if we never use them.
I hope you find a machine that works better for you so you can really enjoy quilting again. You're so good at it!
My sister uses a treadle singer all the time
Hurrah! So many of them end up ruined as plant stands.
That's gorgeous!
I learned how to sew on an old treadle sewing machine. From about 14 until I married, I made doll clothes for my sister and me, as well as most of my clothes on that wonderful machine. If it had been part of my in heritance, I'd be using it still. You are doing a lovely job on that beautiful old machine.
I'm sorry you don't have it. I hope it stayed in the family.
When my mother sold the house, I asked for it. She refused. My sister salvaged some things and shared them with me, but neither of us got the old machine. We both loved the cabinet, the spool drawers, the steadiness of that truly fine old White (I think that was the name of the manufacturer). My sister and I have depended on portables ever since...but none of them have been as reliable that that old treadle machine.
Looks beautiful. I’ve got my grandmothers treadle machine but the round belt that drives it is stretched out. Where do you get replacements? I’ve wondered many times. Thanks for sharing.
I rather like The Treadle Lady on Etsy. She carries belts and other things in her shop there, and she's very helpful and knowledgeable. She has videos on Instagram of two of her friends and her treadling together at her house.
Some folks are using a more rubbery belt. I think either one can be a bit of a challenge to install. It takes both my husband and me to install one, but now we are getting better at it. There are videos, but not all show the whole process. Just don't cut it too small for your first attempt.
cottagecraftworks.com/rubbe...
I bought one of the rubber belts, but have yet to get a machine and cabinet ready for a new belt.
There is a group called "Treadleon" which is a great "support group" for those who love treadles. I have lost count of how many I have, most of which are waiting to be cleaned and oiled.
Please post of picture of your fabulous machine!
That machine is beautiful. I had one (not that old) that my mother bought when I was a baby so it would be around 67 yrs old but I gave it away years ago to my sister when I bought one that had built in stitches etc back in 1984. I asked my sister if she still had it & she gave it away to someone who needed a sewing machine. I'm still kicking myself for giving it away.
You did a beautiful job restoring it.
So glad to hear that you're still "up and at it"! I'm making a dress right now and when that's finished, a chair slipcover is waiting to be done! I've done this one before, so should be a little easier this time. Bless you all for keeping on, and keeping on!
So glad you are still up and at it! I hope you show that slip cover when you're done. I've never made one, but have always wanted to.
That's a beauty! Tell your husband it's way too pretty to be a boat anchor. Paperweight, maybe...
I showed him a picture of a machine once that truly had been used as a boat anchor - nothing but rust. Since then, my darling husband loves to tease me with his idle threats of turning a machine into one since boat anchors are getting expensive. But now that he's enamored with these lovely machines, too, the threat falls on deaf ears.
Nice machine, great quilter😍
great job she really is looking good...should be really proud of yourself...thank you for sharing ...love and happiness...
that;s gorgeous! enjoy
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