Guest article by ‘CD in Oklahoma’
People who prepare for tough times, or work in rough environments, tend to select the most durable work clothing available. Most often, the fabric that work clothing is made out of is heavy duty. And many times, that heavy duty fabric can become damaged in a location where several layers meet in a seam.
Tough clothing calls for a tough treadle sewing machine to mend the damage.
Even sewing a new hem on pants legs can stop some of the newer machines in their tracks. An old treadle sewing machine is one of the toughest sewing machines ever made.
When it comes to pushing a threaded needle through several layers of heavy fabric, the old treadle sewing machine will seldom fail the task. We’re not talking about just sewing here, we’re talking about mending, and heavy duty mending to boot.
Mending clothing is an activity that is becoming less common year after year. But in tough times, or when doing tough work, heavy duty clothing can get damaged and need to be mended by a heavy duty machine.
Think it won’t happen to you? Here are just a few possible scenarios:
Why You Might Need A Treadle Sewing Machine
– You squat to lift that last case of #10 cans of dehydrated food that you’re moving to maintain rotation, and you split the rear seam out of your favorite jeans….
– In a split-second, you decide that if you crawl through that barbed-wire fence quickly, you might be able to head off the goats before they make it to that gate that someone left open. But in your haste, you get hung up on the middle wire and rip the crotch out of your pants instead….
– You forgot all about having that long screwdriver in your hip pocket until you stepped over the drawbar and ducked under the hydraulic hoses, then heard and felt your hip pocket rip loose from your pants….
– You cash in on that great “no returns” sale of heavy denim overalls that you chanced into at the farm store, buy four pair, and get home to be reminded by your better-half that you have a 34-inch inseam instead of 38-inch….
– That first really cold snap of the season rolled in last night. It’s time to break out the old insulated jacket again to go out and do the chores. That jacket has been a life-saver for cold weather, but this morning while putting it on, the zipper hung halfway up. It wouldn’t go up and it wouldn’t go down no matter how hard you pulled and yanked. Finally, after stepping over toward the kitchen light, close examination reveals three teeth missing on one side….
– You step up into the stirrup like many times before, but for some unknown reason, your horse decides to head out a little early before you can swing your leg up over the saddle, leaving you hopping along desperate for leverage to complete the mount. Once finally mounted you feel a draft, and discover that the seat of your britches is ripped open full-length….
– You suspect that the milk cow has hidden her new calf in the thicket, so you head in there to investigate. Just a few steps in, a stob hangs on the one lower pocket of your cargo pants that you use the most, and rips it loose from the leg….
– Having to temporarily put woven wire around your garden tub to keep the pesky deer at bay makes harvesting a little more difficult, but necessary. Everything is going well until your favorite apron catches on a cut end of the wire when you’re stepping away, and tears a hole in the left front that you could throw a cat through….
– You’ve just finished your lunch and are heading back out to finish that little project before the better half gets back from picking up supplies. You grab your light-duty work gloves on the way out, but then happen to notice a finger seam coming loose. It’s not much, barely half of an inch long, but that glove won’t last to finish the day. You’re about to go find another pair of gloves, when you notice the sewing machine that you picked up a couple of months ago down at the big box store still set up from this morning’s quilt block piecing all threaded up and everything. The machine doesn’t feed the glove very well, so you decide to help it a little bit. There’s a distinct crack sound that comes from deep within the machine, and while everything still seems to still be running fine, you notice that the needle has quit going up and down….
– You were going to sit and drink some more coffee before you made the decision on whether to wear a belt or your suspenders today, but glancing out the window you notice that last night’s wind nearly blew the gate off of the chicken run. You hustle out to make temporary repairs to the gate, having to constantly hike your pants up by the belt loops. Aggravation causes each successive hike to be a little more robust than the previous one, until suddenly….
Yes, damage to work clothing can and does happen. An old treadle sewing machine could mend (most of) that damage. And besides, sewing with a treadle sewing machine can just be fun!
– CD in Oklahoma
30 years ago I use to see these sewing machines in scrapyards being turned into a cheap buck.
It’s still happening. When I talked to the scrap dealer in Wichita Falls Texas a while back, he said he gets lots of old sewing machines in as scrap. He pulls them out and saves them for a friend of his nearby….
CD in Oklahoma
CD in Oklahoma
Well ya beat me to it…. HAHAHA
Also sent Ken an Article 😁
Good! I’ll be looking forward to it!
CD in Oklahoma
CD in Oklahoma
Dont think Kenn will do two articles back to back….. may be awhile
I have already mentioned this, but for those newcomers to the site: A singer is the best treadle to buy. Parts are still available.. I think from the company. The instruction booklets are available on line for photocopying. If the wheel doesn’t turn, it is not worth buying. Put only one drop of oil in the holes. When not in use place fabric under the foot. Lower the foot. This will keep the spring from wearing out. You can also lower the needle. The newer the machine the better. By 1935-1937 the machines had reverse and adjustable stitch size. Some of them have the circular bobbin which is very common now and very available. There are also many attachments available on line as well – different stitch attachments and a button hole maker. New belts can be purchased from Singer. These machines are strong. You can even sew a leather belt with it. Just wait until you hear the beautiful sound it makes – like music. For all of you looking for one, good luck. If you find one, don’t think twice about buying it. I have changed my name as I have been thinking about my Dad lately. He… Read more »
I have inherited my Great Grandma’s Singer, a model from about 1909?, I haven’t tried to use it yet, had too many irons in the fire, Mom had oiled it, replaced belt .. and the feeder foot is down… need to get it out and look at it and try it a whirl. ANY TIPS for a newbie for the treadle…?
What a beauty! I’ve got sewing machine envy right now. Several years ago, I came across a treadle but wasn’t able to find extra bobbins. I reluctantly passed on it. Instead I bought a 1950’s Singer that uses the same bobbin as my “new” Janome that I bought in 1996. I’ve figured out how to convert it to a hand crank so it’ll still be usable if we end up in a grid down situation. Sews heavy fabrics like a dream.
Mind you, if I find a long arm treadle, look out, it’s mine!!! If nothing else, it’ll be eye candy.
kk
kawartha kween – Good planning on the handcrank capability. Handcrank sewing machines are about as handy as a treadle, sometimes more. They don’t take up as much room for storage, and are much more portable than a treadle. I have several of them in my collection, and use a few of them regularly, including some industrial models that will sew thick leathers. The machines that weren’t designed to be handcranks can be operated as such by mounting an automotive steering wheel spinner knob (Brodie Knob, suicide knob, etc) on it. You only get one stitch per revolution, but it’s a lot faster than a needle and thread. Cranking with one hand and steering your work with the other seems difficult to some, but it’s surprising how well it actually works.
CD in Oklahoma
Let me offer a tip on making a portable handcrank sewing machine even more portable. Use an old wheel chair to transport it. Wheel chairs do pretty good to traverse several ground conditions (gravel, grass) and even some obstacles (stairs, curbs), and are built to move the weight of a human. Plus, an old wheel chair isn’t a bad prep item to have around for moving all kinds of things, even yourself if need be….
CD in Oklahoma
@ CD
Great minds think alike! That’s exactly what I’ve done. Found the knob at Tractor Supply. After spending over 50 years sewing, I figured I’d be able to crank and guide with no problem. If worse gets to worse and I can’t, then DH has a new chore. He cranks while I sew.
kk
kawartha kween – I’ve had to have my wife crank my Adler 205 cylinder bed machine for me a time or two, just because I couldn’t hold my work and make the stretch to the spinner knob on the big machine. We tried free-motion quilting on a handcrank Singer 301 (electric, but motor removed) with her guiding the quilt sandwich and me cranking the machine, and while it was great for giggles, we gave it up as a lost cause.
CD in Oklahoma
I think I have the one in the picture, but less pretty. i.e., more used. It belonged to my great grandmother, so probably an older version. She made drapes for a living.
I had one of those until someone broke in my place and stole it, along with some other DIY type items. This article reminds me to start looking for another one…
I have an Ohio Farmer treadle sewing machine that I think was manufactured by Davis of Dayton, Ohio, in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. I remember my dad saying it worked fine but I”ve never tried it. After reading this, maybe I should.
I remember when I was a little kid ( 5 or 6) that my neighbor had one and used it for all the family sewing. They had 6 girls! That would be in the mid to late 1950’s
I have my grandmother’s Singer treadle sewing machine. She made Barbie doll clothes for me on it, among many other items. I have never sewed on it, but I am now motivated to try. Thanks for the article!
Why is this any better than an electric model? Assuming you have juice.
Because you don’t have to depend on “juice” .. Generally treadle machines are sturdier made and hold up for heavier fabrics. I am looking forward to winter arriving so I have more time to do my crafts and sewing projects.
Hey.. that was an awesome post. I scored an old school sewing machine in a nice cabinet.15 bucks.
Now I just need to learn how to sew. I use a lot of “sinew” Double dental floss. make my favorite knife sheaths and even little coats for my little doggies. The are warm in the snow. . They my be small but they are a hell of an burglar alarm. Stay safe Friends…. This is the Real Doc Jackson.
Doc
I have one! Makes me smile!
We’ve been looking for one of these for years. Only ones we ever saw were way over priced
restoringBrad – Yes, some of them are very expensive. I steer away from the “pretty” ones, and tend to go for the old “beaters”. But, I’m interested in functionality instead of aesthetics. If they’re pretty and everything works perfect, they’re worth a lot of money. If they’re not pretty and not complete, they are usually less expensive and can be made to work fine with some TLC and a few parts. I have always figured that a machine that looks like it has been used a lot was probably a pretty good machine or it wouldn’t have gotten used much.
CD in Oklahoma
We have a Janome 712T… a modern, multi-stitch treadle powered sewing machine, with a very nice cherry wood base. Quality machine, no electricity, reasonable priced.
Yeah. So my wife has been on a sewing machine spree since we got a white treadle a couple of weeks ago. She found another at an estate sale a couple days ago that was from 1908. This one isn’t as smooth as the other but she thought it would make a kickass nightstand. She’s been ordering every attachment she can find as well as a handful of spare belts. Now she’s on a singer kick as well, finding one from the 50s that is supposed to be super powerful and little hand crank one from the same period for my daughter. That will bring us up to like 10 sewing machines. I might have to have an intervention soon. XD
I have two of those 1950’s singers. They are the best ever! All steel Made and true workhorses. I wouldn’t trade mine for any new fancy computerized one ever. I think your wife and I would get along just fine. I try not to let my Mr know how many machines I have. What good would it do anyway! 😉
Nihilist – It’s early to have an intervention for just 10 sewing machines. My wife and I have 82 of them collected at last count, 65 of those in our house. We should probably be the ones looking into an intervention….
CD in Oklahoma
CD in Oklahoma
65 “In the House”
ok ok I thought I was nuts…. HAHAHAHA
CD, I absolutely ADORED reading your ‘scenarios’ — how descriptive and creative! ! Being somewhat of a throwback, those words yanked a smile from my face. Is this treadle a Singer 66 “Red Eye”?? The photo on my laptop is fairly distorted, but it seems to be lining up w/ what I recall about those “Red Eye” beauties. I have a similar looking treadle, although mine is a Minnesota. My sewing base has 3 drawers on either side, with a small middle drawer where spare bobbins might be stashed. I purchased mine about 8 years ago while we were in western Ohio. It was previously owned by an Amish woman who took great care of her machine and base. It came w/ several different feet, extra bobbins, and a few other assorted sewing items. I treasure mine, as you can imagine. I didn’t get a manual but found everything necessary online. A few extra bobbins and a photocopied manual came from eBay. I’m no expert but I’m fairly sure that the majority of antique treadles share the same bobbin, as in ‘one size fits all.’ Do you know? There’s a fun website that you and others might enjoy. It’s called… Read more »
Modern Throwback – Thanks for the compliment. I had great fun coming up with those scenarios. I’ve lived some of them. Yes, that appears to be a Singer 66 “Red Eye” in a 7-drawer treadle cabinet, and a very nice one at that. It’s not mine, Ken provided the photo. There are many, many different bobbins for antique treadle sewing machines, so I would have to say no to the one-size-fits-all. Yes, TreadleOn is a great site. I was a member for several years.
CD in Oklahoma
Thanks for letting me now about the bobbins. Since things were so much simpler back in ‘the good ole days’, I figured they’d all be the same.
Looks like you have quite the collection and an intervention wouldn’t even make a dent in your line of thinking. Ha! Tell me, do you display any of them, like on a shelving unit of table-top machines, or store most of them?
I have an early electric Singer — from the early 20s. Funny but it was almost the same price as my treadle w/ a base. To me, it’s not nearly as desirable.
My regular sewing machine is the tried-and-true Bernina 1230. Using a denim needle and a quilting foot, I’m able to sew through multi-layers of denim (ie repair of jeans). I’ve also got a Gammill long-arm for machine quilting large quilt tops and it can sew through multi-layers, but I’ve never tried to sew through leather or denim with it since it’s got a stationary feed.
(Are you having fun reading about all the sewing now???) 🙂
Modern Throwback – Yes!!! I could talk about sewing machines all day long, but I wouldn’t get much sewing done, and I have some waiting on me as I type. Many of our sewing machines are tucked away out of site, and while the others aren’t really “on display”, they’re setting everywhere to be seen. We turned our small wood frame home into one big sewing room back in 2010. We have machines in every room of the house except the kitchen, including both bathrooms. (We like to eat too, or I’d have some in the kitchen.) We have 19 of them set up and ready to sew all of the time, including 7 treadles (5 industrial), 3 hand cranks (2 industrial), 8 electrics, and 1 industrial power stand. My wife insists that I mention that it’s me that’s the sewing machine collector in the family. She doesn’t have much use for any machines in my collection that don’t help her with her sewing needs. LOL!
CD in Oklahoma
Modern Throwback
Thank you for telling us about the site. Saw a treadle that I did not recognize, the site you recommended had one in the photos. It turns out to be a leather treadle sewing machine.
@AC,
I aim to please. lol
Check out ISMACS International — search for that one. It’ll keep you busy and out of trouble for a while. 😉
Modern Throwback
You should have seen the look on dh;s face when I said think I can purchase any parts I need for the White as the company is still in business. lol
Have my uncle’s sewing machine which is in a locked case. May have to take it to the lock smith to see what I inherited from him. He was the cowboy that had to mend his own clothing as he never married. Have photos of his early years working on ranch’s in Oregon.
Dh wanted to replace the birds we lost, so one day in the local Nickel happened to be an add for a bird. While we were there visiting, it turned out she knew my bil from a retail store when he was the manager. During the visit she mentioned she had old sewing machines, I asked if they were for sale. Yes, she replied and we came home with a bird, a 1930’s(?) portable Singer sewing machine, and my pride and joy a White treadle sewing machine.
I always wanted one, now I am wondering if mine will work and what extent we will have to go to restore it. I have the instruction book for this machine, found it on line when I purchased one for a friend as a gift.
Like CD in Oklahoma, have a love for sewing machines. The portable one that we have needs parts and found one not far from this area that I hope is still available that can be purchased to restore this one or visa versa. It will come down to model numbers for the two machines.
You can find quite a few videos on youtube of how to restore and maintain those old machines. That’s how my wife got ours all fixed up; even down to which wood treatment stuff to use to make it all shiny and happy.
Nihilist
Thank you for the information on where to search for my machines restoration. Some of the wood needs to be replaced-patch work. other wise the cabinet is is in fine shape.
Newbie learning to sew here. Just started. Never to late to learn. If I ever come across one, now I will know to snatch it up. Thanks for the info!
Hey CD! I am also in Oklahoma! I inherited a treadle machine in a vanity cabinet. Since I don’t have the expertise to work on my own machines, I pulled the head off and took it to Quilt Sampler in Tulsa. There is also one in Springfield MO. They did a great job reconditioning it for me (no, I don’t work for them). Can’t wait to use it!
Hi CD!
Great article! I remember my Grandmother’s treadle sewing machine. I remember the treadle and getting into trouble for playing with it :D. Her’s was not as ornate as the one pictured. When she passed, someone got it, but no one seems to know who… hmmmm.
Anyway, I have my mother’s Singer (1940’s) Looks like the old Singer treadles, but her’s has an electric motor with a belt. I learned to sew on it and it’s in storage. I have the manual! I will see if I can find a replacement belt and get it going. I worry about the old motor and the wiring tho.
Beach’n
Great article CD!
I have my mother’s Singer, which I think was one of the earliest to use electricity (has both a foot pedal and knee push “thingy”). Must date to late 30s/early 40s, since my folks were married in 1940 and she had it early in their marriage. Have wondered how hard it might be to convert to treadle.
I remember learning to sew on it, and having trouble controlling the speed so I just used my hand to rotate the wheel.
Will have to watch the local auctions more carefully.
ps. are there any treadle machines that do a zig-zag stitch?
The only zigzag sewing machine sold as a treadle that I know of is the current Janome 712T that Whoppo mentioned earlier. Singer sold several zz treadles made in their Germany factories (models 216G and 401G for example) years ago, but I don’t think there were any made in the USA factories. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to go with a conversion. I use a 1950s Singer 319W and a Singer 20U (industrial) that I converted to zigzag, and I converted a Singer 237 Fashion Mate zz to treadle for my MIL. I also converted a Pfaff 130 to treadle for a neighbor here in Oklahoma. Several zz machines could be converted, including many of the 1950-vintage Japanese zz machines. Most conversions are done with older (pre1960) machines to avoid the fiber (plastic) gearing that can fail.
CD in Oklahoma
“that I converted to zigzag” should have been “….converted to treadle”.
CD in Oklahoma
FinallyOuttaCA & Cd in Oklahoma
I have to disagree, Grand-Pa always said Grand-Ma had a perfect Zig Zag stich on the old tread machine, she would use on the hem of a pant leg, of course it was right after a “swaller” of the old 100proof Cough Medicine. 🙂
NRP – Now THAT is funny! HAHAHA She might had “meandered” just a touch? And it reminds of when I intentionally sewed a wide zigzag stitch for a repair with one of my Singer Boot Patcher straight-stitch treadles. The machine can sew in any direction, 360 degrees (even in a circle) without moving the work being sewn, and I needed to zigzag with Tex90 thread, so I just changed the direction of the sewing back and forth each stitch as I sewed. It wasn’t a real uniform-looking zigzag (maybe like Grand-ma’s?), but it was a zigzag from a straight-stitch machine!
CD in Oklahoma
Would love to get ahold of a heavy duty singer in good shape,,, they are really nice machines,
Nailbanger – You talking about a household heavy duty sewing machine, or an industrial? Something to go with your Cobra but smaller? (I’m guessing it’s a Cobra-4?)
CD in Oklahoma
I looked for years, in hopes of finding one for my wife to use, s8nce her grandmother’s disappeared. I bought her one from Lehman’s online, and it is fantastic, then, her grand,other’s treadle machine showed up at one of her sisters. We got that one as a backup, it only needed a small belt to get back into service.
Two years ago I went to a local auction and bought a White Treadle Sewing machine and got home with it. At first my wife didn’t want it. I started going thru the draws and found all of the attachments to do all kinds of things from darning socks to I don’t know. Also had the factory book with it. As a bonus It had the original bill of sale and the receipts for the monthly payments of a dollar. It came with a bunch of patterns from clothes to bonnets from the 30’s to the 50’s plus more. When my wife came back and saw the treasure trove she changed her mine. it now sits by her singer treadle. She loves to sew. Neither are for sale.
– When my wife’s Dad passed a couple of year ago, the Mrs. Inherited the family home. Part of that includes a double garage that DFIL commented that he ought to be horsewhipped for, but as I’m cleaning out that facility, I have found what DW says is her grandmother’s treadle machine in a nice cabinet. Haven’t had time to do more than look at it just yet, but I am told that “it worked when it was put in there” 30 years ago! LOL
– Papa S.
Papa Smurf – Great that you have a family sewing machine! I’ve bought a lot of vintage sewing machines from people that have told me that “It worked the last time it was used!”. Well, I just don’t see any way of arguing with that….
CD in Oklahoma
I learned on a treadle when I was pretty young, My dad fixed it up and I got to keep it in my room, did a lot of sewing, had a couple great teaches my Grandmother (Dads Mom) could sew anything and didn’t even need a pattern, My Mom also, although she sometimes needed a pattern although she did make my Dads chaps without a pattern, She made most all of our clothes including my coats.
When my kids were little I made a lot of their clothes. Love to sew and it all started with a treadle. I still have the case which looks just like the one in the picture , the sewing machine though was lost in a flood and floated down the river.
I have four treadle machines in storage that I have picked up at actions, need to get time to go over them and get them to working.
Beach’n – (from a later thread)…”I have found a sewing machine…an electric Singer from 1930-40, not really sure…. Is it possible to turn an electric machine into a treadle machine?”
Many old electric Singers from 1930-40 began life as a treadle machine, and were “electrified” in the 1940s when electricity became available to the machine owners. Treadle users were anxious to power up their old sewing machines to take advantage of the new technology, and many sewing shops refurbished older machines to sell as an electric machine to first-time users. The electrification of the treadle machine sometimes involved simply mounting an electric motor onto the machine to replace the treadle belt. Others received a smaller disc balance wheel (for aesthetics or bobbin winder operation), and some required a replacement bobbin winder. The machines with an external motor (that had formerly been treadle) can usually be converted back to treadle operation. Check with your local sewing machine shop to see if yours is a good candidate, and what the conversion may consist of. Happy treadling!
CD in Oklahoma
Thanks CD!
I have found a gentleman that refurbishes sewing machines. I will be taking mine to him after the first of the year. The cabinet needs a lot of work also 🙁
Beach’n
hmmm Beach\’n? Don’t know how that happened.
Beach’n
@ Ken Jorgustin
My alias is being changed from Beach’n to Beach\’n. Just FYI, I’m not doing it. 😀
Thought you might like to know.
Beach’n
Beach’n
Here I thought you were trying out a new login name for the New Year. Did not think anything about it, it is kinda of cute tho….
Antique+Collector
Did you ad the plus symbol to your alias or is it being added for you? Just curious!
Beach backslash’n signing out 😀
Beach’n