Self sacrifice

Sometimes at thrift shops, you can find a very good sewing machine for practically nothing, but I am interested in what kind of machine do you have now? I have an 1898 straight stitch(of course) with a long bobbin, sometimes called a bullet bobbin and I turn a handle to sew, and it sews knits just fine. I bought this beauty for $30 at an antique shop somewhere in E TN, when I was driving from Baltimore to New Orleans, back in the late 80s. Emily

I don't know the specifics, brand, model number etc. I bought it at a Woolworth store about 15 yrs ago. It has about 12 stitch selections and a manual 4 stage button hole. Compared to the Jane Doe average machine today this thing is a dinosaur. AK in PA

Well, I frequently sew on a Singer 66 treadle that has one stitch. It has no reverse, but that's no problem, I just hold the fabric in place for two or three stitches to lock the end of a seam. I suppose some would consider it a dinosaur. I consider it an excellent sewing machine that is soothing to use, and which entertains my feet while I sew. ;-)

I have machines dating back to my 1909 handcrank... No machine is too old to be useful if it is in working condition and you can get needles for it. :)

Your machine may be old, but with the insertion of a little TLC it could be a very useful engine indeed. Don't dismiss it just for being mechanical, either! Guess what I use when the electricity fails? Yup - one of my two old hand cranks (1909 and 1923) or my 1936 treadle!

There are lots of gadgets and attachments for these old machines, especially for the old black Singers. They may not do the hundreds of different stitch patterns something like my Lily does, but with the right needle, the right foot, and a bit of patience, I can do loads of stuff (including free motion quilting and embroidery) on one of those old ladies, just as well if not better than the Lily!

If you want to make clothes, 90% of what you do will be straight stitch in a forward direction anyway. The finishing can always be done by hand, and, as a dress and costume maker, I still do a LOT of that for my customers!

Great heavens, my dear! It's almost NEW!

I'm with you there! And there are some things I'll shove through my 66 hand crank or my 15-88 treadle that I wouldn't try on one of my newer multi stitch electric machines.

Um, if there's a machine in a couture house, it's most likely of the straight- stitch only variety. The machine does not determine the work.

Kay

Your treadle sounds like what I used to sew on in high school. Made most of my clothes & bathing suits, sister's compition twirling coustums, and drapes for mom's whole house, including the antique satin for the living room. Mom sold it to buy me an electric. I sure did miss it. Barbara in SC "Pogonip"

They are still around. Those machines were so well made, they'll keep going for another few hundred years with just an occasional cleaning and oiling. There was a rush on them around Y2K, and there are a lot of collectors now, but you can still find a good working treadle machine for less than the price of new plastic junk.

That's what's wrong with it.

Sewing machines changed from necessary tools to expensive toys during the 1960s.

Joy Beeson

Any Singer made between 1964 and some time last year was something of a gamble, with the purchaser often losing... On the other hand, Elna, Frister & Rossman, Bernina, Necchi, Husqvarna, and a few others set new standards in light weight, versatile, machines that were a joy to use. They also did some serious machines for the working dressmaker.

I wish I had room for a few more classic Singers from the good years.