Saturday, July 27, 2013

New (Old) Vintage Singer aka Grandma's Treadle Machine




 When I was in Junior High (in the 1970's) I was sewing away on my Mom's machine, a straight stitch Domestic, which resided in my parents' bedroom and was in demand by me, my Mom, and my sister.  My grandmother lived in the same town we did, and she sewed as well.  She had a Singer Golden Touch'n'Sew that she used often.  But, she also had her Singer treadle machine, which had been a wedding present in 1925.  She let us have it, and I sewed on it for several years.  It was fun, very reliable, and not really much different than the Domestic other than the power source.

When we moved away, the treadle went back to Grandma's house.  When she moved to a smaller place, my aunt got the treadle, and had it in her home for quite a few years.  It was mainly used as a lovely end table.  I had assumed it would go to her daughter or granddaughters.  A few years ago she asked me if I was still interested in it, and I said, "Of course!"  So she said when she moved to a smaller place, it would come to me.  Well, that day arrived.  I got a call yesterday that her grandson (my cousin's son) was coming down in his SUV to move back home from his college housing here, and would bring the machine to me on the 'empty' trip here.  (He's decided to farm with his Dad, which I think is exciting as well.  It's very nice when young people know what they want to do, and are able to do it.)



So, here it is.  It needs a little love, but mainly it's just about as it was when I used it years ago.  I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon.  I need to read the manual, probably oil it, and the front tip-drawer needs to be put back in place, but it looks like a screwdriver may take care of that.  I am just quite thrilled! 







And these are the accessories and the original manual.




13 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I have my grandmother's treadle also came from my Aunt too. But mine sustained alot of abuse at my Aunt's and I have plans to finally have it restored this year.

Congrats on getting this...it's so thrilling to have a piece of your history passed back to you!

bluenines said...

What a wonderful thing to have back in you home, I hope one day to own a treadle machine, happy sewing!17

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful! I love my treadle, and should use it more often. Yours will probably need a new belt.

Sheila said...

That machine is beautiful, I would be afraid to sew on it & display it as an art piece.

SewingLibrarian said...

Old Singers never die. They just move to new homes every so often. How lucky you are to have this wonderful one. I haven't sewn on a treadle machine since junior high. (Our town's school district never wasted a penny, certainly not for new machines when the old ones worked perfectly well.) I remember finding the treadle action to be wonderfully relaxing.

Jillybejoyful said...

The decals are in such beautiful condition - score!!

Stitchinscience said...

How lucky you are.

I was born about 2 miles from the Singer factory in Scotland and two of my relatives worked there. I don't know what happened to my mother's treadle, but I would love to have it now.

RhondaBuss said...

Enjoy! I have my grandmother's treadle machine. I haven't used it in years, but when I brought it home, I made a set of drapes in my grandmother's honor.

Sally said...

Lucky you. Enjoy it.

wendy said...

Next time you lose power during a thunderstorm, you will have a handy sewing machine! ;) Seriously, though, it's so cool that it's come back to you after all these years.

Mary Beth said...

I had a Singer treadle that I bought for $25 but then sold when I moved across country. Didn't get but $5 for it! OK that was in 1978, but I'm still bummed hehehehehe

Suityourselfcouture.blogspot.com said...

Your treadle decals are called "red eye" for obvious reasons and the 66 makes a perfect stitch. I just bought the same model at an estate sale for $40 and did some research.

Anonymous said...

Wow, a sewing machine with history!