Just wanted to share my happy news: I got a new treadle...she came to my home on her 98th birthday!! A Singer beauty, needs a little TLC, but not much. The best part? She was FREE!!!
Can't wait to sew without the use of electricity!! She works smoothly, needs a belt and a little cosmetic sprucing, but I'm psyched. She's even downstairs in my "office" space, so I can see her all the time!!!
Yeah me!!
Sue, in Ithaca
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S
Sherry
Lucky you! Do you have a pic? I'd love to see her! (I'd LOVE to have a treadle)
Sherry
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Dorothy McNutt
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IMS
Sue, congratulations!! And the price was right!! You will love that machine. Do you know what model it is? =20
Having a treadle or handcrank is great -- I used my handcrank when the electricity went out for three days last winter - which as you know happens a lot here in Central New York!! I currently have two treadles also, my grandmother's 66 "Redeye" and a 15-90.
-Irene (in Dryden)
------------- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
- Mae West
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Ginger in CA
Yeah! And I got my treadle named Maria a couple of weeks ago. She need some clean-up, and her oak finish may need some replacing in places, but she is a beauty!
Question on hand-cranks. I have several old machines, like a 66-15 and
15-91, and would like to find out where to go to get one of them changed to a hand-crank. I think. Does anyone use a handcrank? How do you manage with only one hand to handle the fabric?
Thanks in advance. and congratulations Sue on your new-to-you treadle!
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Sandy
Congratulations, Sue! Do we get to see her?
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Kathy Applebaum
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has instructions for several hand crank conversion projects.
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Kathy Applebaum
Yeah me, indeed! Congratulations on your new toy.
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IMS
I use my handcrank when the power goes out; when it went out for three days earlier this year I was thankful I had it! The only thing I did realize I missed is reverse...the 99 does not have reverse...so I may move the crank setup to a 201-3 or 15-91 both of which have external motors and reverse.
It's very easy to handle the fabric because you naturally have to go slower.
And, it's easy to do the conversion, too. All that is needed is the raised motor boss mount hole (a machine with a threaded hole where the motor bracket is hooked to) - a crank - and a spoked wheel. This what I did to my 99 that had brittle wiring but was otherwise in great shape.
I purchased an original Singer hand crank from Glenn Williams - about $30 because I wanted 'real' parts not reproduction,
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...and I took a spoked wheel off of a $5 machine I picked up at the thrift and then removed the wires and motor off the 99 -- which was
*free* 99 (it had toasted wires which is why it was free) two years ago. It works great.
Here's my machine:
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Here's more on the how'to:
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-Irene=20
------------- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
- Mae West
I
IMS
Sorry...wrong link for Glen!! This is the real one:
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No affiliation other than a happy repeat customer.
-Irene
------------- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
- Mae West
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Sandy
Oh my, Irene! You have the twin to my machine! Here's a photo of mine: .
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IMS
Is that fun or what!! They do look identical! :)
-Irene
------------- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
- Mae West
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Sandy
Yup! I bought mine on ebay several years ago -- it just seemed to call out to me. I've always meant to use it to make a quilt, but I never have -- perhaps the lack of a reverse function is part of the problem. However, DGS#1 did use it to make his blackboard/placemat, so it has had a little use.
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paegan2246
It's hard to beat "free". I purchased a 1920 Singer 66-1 "Redeye" treadle a few months ago off of eBay and picked it up locally. It was a mess! But it cleaned up nicely and is working great. Now if only I could get my feet to work the thing correctly. It does take a bit of practice and a great deal of concentration. Have fun!! Here;s a picture of mine after I cleaned it up:
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paegan2246
Picture of restored treadle:
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paegan2246
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You are going to love your treadle once you start using it. And "free" is a really good price. I paid $30 for mine on eBay and picked it up locally. Cleaned it up, adjusted the tension, added a new belt and it sews beautifully, once I get my feet pumping correctly. LOL It takes a bit of practice and concentration at first. Have fun! Susan
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Carol S.
Folks:
I'm getting a little envious of all of you with treadle machines. My 40 yr. old White Elec. Sewing Machine head was picked up today & is in the shop for repairs that may cost me $250.00. I've been told more than once that I have a very good machine. It certainly is heavy lifting the head into position in its cabinet. They don't make them like this anymore & that is why I decided to have it repaired instead of buying a current portable machine.
When my mother-in-law passed away, we gave her Singer Treadle to our son, so at least it is still in the famly. He doesn't use it, but is proud of it.
My bar-tacking of 3,000 plus fabric yo-yos into a bed coverlet kind of led to the demise (temporarily) of my White machine. And I wasn't even half-finished with the assembly! Oh, well ... I will finish the project eventually. I'll move on to some decoupage & painting on a small table to tide me over.
Take care, friends.
Carol S.
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Sandy Ellison
Howdy!
That's a beauty! Good on you!
Here's the one Judy/RedQueen gave me:
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snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762310279609 (I found that the new belt helps, a bunch. ) Cheers! R/Sandy
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Ginger in CA
Thanks to all of you who posted on this thread. Dang it, if I could just win the lottery so there would be enough time to do all the projects in my mind......
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T
Taria
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