I learned to sew at a very young age on a treadle machine.
First love – Singer 185K
I loved making clothes for myself (aprons and scarves) and for my dolls. I was always allowed to use fabric from my mother’s scrap bag and was very much entertained while sitting at the machine. After witnessing my mother sew her finger, I was VERY careful… and still am!
In 1958, my family purchased a green Singer 185K. At the ripe old age of seven, I fell deeply in love. The machine had a buttonhole attachment, a light and could sew in reverse! It makes my heart flutter to remember the excitement! That sweet green machine served my teen years well as I made many of my school/work clothes. Since no one taught me about alterations, I was very fortunate that size 8/10 patterns fit perfectly (though I hemmed them radically short!). I even picked up a little extra money by sewing zippers into my friends’ home economics projects… 50¢ per zipper (big money for a kid doing easy work in the early-mid ’60’s). Sadly, when I left home, I had to say goodbye to my first love.
Kenmore 158-12270
In 1971, Sears sent me a credit card. I wanted to build my independent, single girl credit rating so I thought hard and finally decided to purchase a sewing machine…for $99 (or $9 per month on the revolving credit plan). It zigged and zagged!! That turned out to be the wisest purchase of my life. I used that machine to sew all my own and my family’s clothes, home decor, quilt tops and crafts for 40+ years!
Last year, I started noticing my cream-n-taupe, high-mileage beauty showing her age. Her hum was becoming a little tired and I began to worry she would not last until the end of my life. I mentioned my concerns to DH and he immediately suggested I purchase the machine of my dreams with all the bells and whistles I could ever want. As he was envisioning a slick, computerized machine, I had different ideas.
On eBay®, I found a very low mileage machine perfectly matching my trusted old Kenmore friend. You can imagine my husband’s shock when he learned my ‘new’ dream machine only cost $55 (including shipping)! I’m able to use my same attachments and feel like my original Kenmore and I have welcomed some fresh help into our sewing circle. We are comfortable together!
Singer 301A – circa 1951
This year, as my birthday approached, my husband gave me cash to purchase ‘HIS’ dream of a dream machine (he doesn’t sew). This time, I found a Singer 301A born the same year as me. The price was right ($87 including shipping) and influenced by a well informed Net friend, I purchased it.
My stars! I’m in love again! By rumor, this is the fastest stitching non-commercial machine ever released to the public. I believe it! This baby FLIES! To celebrate my love for her, I bought a SewadjusTable® from www.sewingmates.com. Yes, I’m squatting in high cotton now! I immediately cut lots of fabric and stitched my Split-16 quilt top… LICKETY FAST !
As I was stitching the quilt top, I began thinking about my grandmother’s treadle machine. It had been buried in her dirt-floor barn for several decades when she gave it to me. DH literally dug it up! There was only one drawer left from the otherwise completely rotted cabinet. I brought machine head, base and drawer home but it has lived in my barn for another 20 years… this time, high and dry. I recently convinced Bob to excavate it from the back corner of the barn.
As close as I can tell, the machine was manufactured by the National Sewing Machine Company of Chicago around 1925 and though the decals are mostly gone, I think it was tagged “Elderidge”. It is rusty and although many of the attachments and attachment box still exist, some parts are missing, including the all-important tensioner. Unlike commonly sold Singer machines, this National is more rare so the parts are hard to find. Even with new parts, this machine head is full of sand and rust. After much time and effort, I gave up trying to make it work.
Singer 66 – circa 1925
Fortunately, the wrought iron treadle base is complete and working smoothly. It needs refinishing to remove the rust but will be easy to bring back to almost new appearance.
After much consideration and tons of measuring, I decided to purchase a Singer 66 machine manufactured in 1925 to fit into the base. I found one on eBay® in great condition for a reasonable price. It arrived Friday and is as beautiful as I’d hoped. I’ve cleaned and oiled it and it operates smoothly and quietly. The decals are pristine and the same design as my mother’s old Singer treadle on which I learned to sew.
I’ve found cabinet parts and have purchased them from several eBay® vendors. Saturday, the first of them arrived. I now have a center bobbin drawer and am anxiously awaiting delivery early next week of the cabinet tabletop, 4 drawers w/frames and the underbelly. I ordered a dozen bobbins too. I already have a leather belt for the treadle.
Though I face much refinishing and assembly work, I’m looking forward to owning and using a treadle machine as I honor my mother and grandmother who taught me the magic and love of sewing.
Shirl