My Free No. 5 treadle had been sitting in my grandmother's house
tucked back in the attic dormer area for who knows how many
years. We brought it home about 33 years ago when we were
first married and furnishing our apartment. It's probably around
100 years old and in very good shape.
While my husband is awaiting the next construction job to begin
I asked him if he would get it ready for sewing for me. It's right
up his alley, if he can't tinker with the tractor, he may as well play around
with the treadle. He downloaded the instruction manual and started to work.
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He started vacuuming and dusting.
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There were old needles in the belly of the machine
that had to be cleaned out.
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He oiled all the areas that need oil.
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He has it running pretty smoothly so now I need
to read the manual and start to practice. My
blogger friend, Missy, uses treadles for her quilting
in addition to all sorts of other machines. I know
I'll be asking her a question or two from time to time.
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We have all the original parts for this, except spare needles
which I will need to find. So between studying for my
ham radio technician's license, work, gardening and this, I will
have plenty to keep me busy!
11 comments:
I love it!
Very cool and beautiful. I have one that I just use as a display piece that is well over a hundred years old. They fascinate me.
I came over from Hibiscus House blog. Dolly is a friend of mine.
We have an ancient Singer sewing machine in a big wooden case. You make it work by pumping a foot pedal. My wife used to be really big at sewing, but when the kids grew up, and her mom got too old to do quilts, she stopped.I guess we have it if we ever need it though.
I always love to see old things brought back to life!
Harry, this one works the same, you use your feet to pump it.
Gorges- me too, we have lots of my grandmother's things that we use every day.
Dolly, Thanks
Kim, thank you for coming over to read! I hope to practice this week plus find out what type of needles and where to buy them.
Good job hubby. Kathy, you'll love it. Those old machines have such nice stitches, you'll whine if you have to use 'the new machine' or wait, that might just be me:)
It's so pretty and to be useful also....bonus!! Great post!
When I was in elementary school my best friend's family had an off the grid cabin in the desert. That was way before it became trendy. Her mom had a treadle sewing machine that she would use to make Linda's clothes and hers while we were at the cabin on weekends and holidays. She also cooked on a wood burning stove. I sure wish I could have one of those, but the weight would be too much for our float cabin. - Margy
I love it. My mother had a free no. 5 and guarded it with her life. I came home from high school one day and told her I'm sorry but I have to use your machine this weekend to finish my dress. She stood over me every stitch. Showed me the oil well to put cotton in and oil so it would run smoothly. You had to push it's wheel backward to get it going right. I loved it. When she died dad remarried and she sold it. How many memories were tied up and sewn with love in that precious machine.
I always wanted one but have seen where old houses used to sit and they usually had a big old rock or a square of cement underneath to brace up the flooring. That's all I know about them.
I am sorry he didn't pass it on to you!
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