I really, really, really wanted to invest some time to refurbish my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine. I can’t say I actually remember her using it because she purchased an electric machine possibly before I was born. I do know she sewed a zillion stitches on her treadle machine, including sewing for the public to help with the family budget. She was a very resourceful woman and a fabulous seamstress.
From stories she told, I knew she had purchased this National treadle sewing machine in 1925 (the year she married) and when I was in my mid 20’s, I asked if she had sold it or given it away. She explained she put it in the dirt floor lean-to shed attached to the hay barn after purchasing a modern, electric machine. The shed was open on 3 sides so the treadle machine was near totally exposed to the elements (including blowing rain, sand, hay dust, kids, chickens, mice, etc.) for several decades. I asked if I could have the machine and she said if I could get it out, it was mine.
I was excited… until I saw the machine. It had literally sunk about 18″ into the sandy mud, requiring a shovel for removal. The cabinet was destroyed with only the top and one drawer front nearly recognizable. Under the drawer front, we found a metal box of rusty machine attachments. Everything was a complete sad mess.
Hubby saw my disappointment but encouraged me to
bring it home and we would work to restore it together. Unfortunately, life got in the way and the machine sat in our high-n-dry wood-floor barn for 3 more decades, until my recent interest in vintage sewing machines sprouted and grew.
I brought it from the barn into the garage for a general dust-off and spiderweb removal. As you can see in the photo, the top was wrecked and unsalvageable. The treadle and machine head were both frozen from rust, old oil and sand. In hopes of making something move, I doused the entire thing with machine oil and let it sit for 48 hours.
The treadle mechanism slowly began breaking loose so I continued dousing it with oil every few days. After several weeks, the treadle moved freely and the machine hand wheel turned easily. It took another week of oiling to enable the bobbin cover plate to swing open and the button release to allow the head to tilt back for access to the machine bottom. I continued applying oil in hopes of flushing some of the sand, rust and sludge from the machine. It’s amazing how much gunk came out!
When I felt the sludge was finally flushed away as much
as oil would accomplish, I moved it into the house for more detailed cleaning. I removed the head and cabinet parts so the irons could be scrubbed and oiled. Other than quite a bit of rust, the irons and treadle are in surprisingly good shape and operate smoothly. I’ve sat the head on a tray and continue to apply oil while I concentrate on removing some rust from the face, bobbin and needle plates. I’ll soak them in a vinegar/salt solution and hope for the best.
I’ve accepted the machine will never be beautiful but because it was Mammie’s, it will always be special!
More soon.
Shirl