I would like to know why the peddle machine has become popular. I
inherited my Grandmothers 1908 Minnesota sewing machine, she and I are
the only ones ever to sew on it. The cost was $14.98, the
attachments .75 and freight .45 a total cost of $16.18 and she paid
for it by making dresses and selling them for $2.00. With all the new
machines in this world why use the peddle machine?

Would love to know the answer to this.

I can't imagine. I am in my mid-60s and learned on a treadle machine (and sewed my index finger) when I was a kid. I have an old treadle in my basement (my husband's grandmother's machine) and I wouldn't think of using it. I love love love my Viking. Perfect stitch and a joy to use. Gerry

Think it's because everyone wants to see how it was to sew on a machine like that........A blast from the past... I have 2 - my grandmothers and one my brother-in-law found at a garage sale... both is working condition. My grandmother's is a Singer in mint condition and the other one is a Climax in very good condition and they are both in their original cabinets. That is the kind of machine l learned to sew on.... well not a have dated myself too. LOL
My granddaughter has asked if she can try sewing on it.... guess it intrigues everyone. There is something tobe said about getting the rythem of the peddle going.
Can post a pic of both if you are interested.

because electrical power is not an absolute guarantee. <wave>

I also have an old singer treddle machine. IMHO it is easier to control the needle speed since you are pumping the treddle. I just started to use mine to do my FMQ. I am learning so I need to stop and start a lot.

You sound like my hubby! ;) :)

It's the nostalgic feeling behind using a machine that our grandmothers and great grandmothers used...wanting to experience a simplier time of our history...

I love using the treadle...

I would love to have one. Just to feel what is was like when my Grandma made her wonderful quilts. When my mom got her last quilt in the mail it was one of the few times I saw her cry.

That right there is a good point!

I think it would be neat to have one. My sewing on it would probably look terrible, but I would have fun!

I have heard rumors it produces buns of steel.

Well here I go on my soapbox again LOL!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

The only machines I use are treadles, in fact my studio is set up with a central treadle that I can use a wide variety of machines on. All I have to do is change the wooden plates in the bench and I can use which ever machine I want. Then I have all of my treadles that are in my home with machines in them.

The reason I like them so much is because the quilts that are made on them you can see and feel the love in them. It is like time stopped and I am back in the late 1800's to early 1900's creating a piece of living history. And the looks you get when you give a quilt that was sewn on a machine that is over 100years old is priceless. Its like they are in possession of something extremely valuable and precious.

Another reason I use nothing but treadles is that the machines are better made than anything that is out there today and if I want all of the fancy stitches or features I have accessories for that. For me its a way of life hence my screen name, I was born a few generations past where I should have been.

Another reason they are catching on again is the fact that there is no carbon footprint and its Eco friendly.


Billy

WOOHOO! I could LIVE with that! LOL

Billy! <wave>
I think your point about them being better made than anything on the markets nowadays is just about one of the best reasons to own one! With machine cleaning/repair costing upwards of $60 per machine .... doesn't it make good sense to own a machine you can repair easily, with less hassle?
I totally reject the computer machines (barely trust a digital display <g>), but when the electricity goes out, where will those machines be?
Don't misunderstand - - I consider modern technology a gift and for those that make such good use of them, I bow to your superior manipulation of machines <g> .... but, I would really like to keep sewing when/if my electrical machines become less than reliable <wave>

For me and my girl friends it started in1999, with the millinium coming and Now I have 4 and she has 2 TREADLES and to begin with we had to search our brains on what granny's sewing machine was called that didn't run on electric. And I fully agree that the electric is not that reliable. So at least we have our Treadle Power!!! :thumbup:

{{{{APPLAUSE}}}}

No power during the day = sewing on a treadle.
No power at nite (nuh uh, don't go there) means sewing by the light of candle or your generator. My machine is not a necessity that would need to be hooked to the generator(so says DH) but with light powered by the generator, voila!
Takes me back to watching Grams sew on hers and what a beauty it was. She let me sew once on it.
Treadle power means leg power means blood circulating and not collecting in your ankles.
Agree with lostn51. I also was born a few generations too late.
Because a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
How many more ya want? :lol:
and I don't even own one, yet. Have my eye on getting one this year. Would love one made in 55 to celebrate my 55th b-day this year. Also would like one from much earlier. We'll see what happens and how good a girl I can be. :roll: :oops:

No that's a thought. I could sew and exercise at the same time.

What I like about the set up I have in my studio is that if I want to slip an industrial in my treadle I can. Its set up to where I can use a Singer 29 or 31 if I want and the translates to LONG ARM!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

And Omak my house I have out in the middle of nowhere in middle TN is going full solar power with a water recovery system for the non potable water (toilets, shower, washer, dishwasher, sprinkler system) other than that well water will be for the drinking water.

Right now the utility bill is breaking the bank and I dont live there full time.

As far as the carbon footprint of my home it should not even exist, and the only bills I will have will be taxes (Yay) and my Satalite/DSL/Phone and thats it.

But you heard about that guy Murphy haven't you........ I just hope his law will not apply to this house! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Billy

Enjoyed everyone's response on peddle machines. Loved the idea of exercising while sewing. As for the buns of steel, I doubt it can do much for my 68 year old back side. :) Thanks for taking time to reply to my question.
Pat41

have you tried to use your current machine to sew canvas? Leather? tough blue jean material? The old machines are TOUGH! That is a very good reason..

Other than that, nope will not trade for everday!
Ell

Same here.

I cast my vote here!!! And I add nostalgia.

:lol:

Anyone know where to find a treadle machine for sale?

You have all convinced me!

Quiltmom.....check your local Craigslist.....that is where I found mine at a reasonable price. Just chek it out really good though.

I have my ex's grandmother's treadle. I deemed it a necessity when I decided to homestead. I have oil lamps and camping lanterns, so when - not if - my power goes off, I can still sew, quilt, or knit. I am making it a point to heat and cook with propane. Later I will have battery backup charged by solar and wind power. Lack of power never slowed my grandmother, she frequently hooked rugs by lamp light and I am cut from the same cloth. Looking forward to living simply :thumbup:

Last summer I got to go to Malawi and spent several days sewing with a group of wonderful widows. They sew clothing on treadles and in two days they each sewed an outfit for themselvs. There were treadles everywhere, as electricity is scarce and unreliable in most places. none were antiques, they were Chinese or Indian made knockoffs!

My boyfriend loves old cars and attends car shows on a regular basis during the summer. I'll go with him to keep him company but it's not my thing. Laughing one day, I said that I widh I could quilt while he looked around the show. That led to my buying a hand-crank sewing machine late last summer that is very much like my grandmother's (which my mother threw away years ago!!!!). Can't wait to go to a show with machine, portable table, and chair! Should be quite the conversation piece!

I was given my grandmother's treadle machine. I learned to sew on that machine when I was a child. The cabinet is big, it's very heavy and I don't like dark furniture. I gave it to my daughter who likes antique furnishings. Unless I'm projected back to the time before electricity I have no use for a treadle.

My love affair with treadles began when I inherited my MIL's. It is just a plain hard working Singer born in 1935 with a plain mahogany cabinet. I imagine her excitement and thrill with a brand new machine! She made all the kids clothes on it and DH has fond memories of watching her sew (and getting his finger stuck in the treadle). Then I found a Red Eye in an oak cabinet which I am refinishing. I absolutely love sitting and sewing on my MIL's. I feel as if I am sharing something with so many women who have gone before have experienced. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when treadling on a flannel quilt in the dead of winter.
Heidi

I have my grandmother's that works great still (it's from the 1930's--a Singer). I've been looking at it lately and thinking about piecing some blocks on it, as she did. The next time a hurricane blows our power out, I hope I remember to open up the treadle machine.

One thing I do remember, do not stop the treadle by putting your foot underneath the peddle! LOL
Having lived for over a year with no electricity I can tell you it's not at all cozy and quiet living the simple life. The nostalgia wears mighty thin in a few weeks. When we did get power, it was solar. Solar power is not that reliable or great. Even the water heater was solar. I hated it. Sold the 'homestead' and moved to the city!

for years I would tell quilters of the wonderful machine I inherited from my great grandmother. I went on the web site to get the year of this Singer Treadle- 1880-1885. I was so excited I went to my Dad and told him the year, he was looking at me strangly and said "what are you talking about?; My grandmother didn't sew, it was my GRANDFATHER - he was a shoemaker in Brooklyn NY, he used the machine to sew the free motion fancy swirls on the leather shoes worn by wealthy men on 5th ave in New York City" - I was totally shocked! He made 12 pairs of shoes a year and raised 10 children on what he made. Teresa

Plus they are so cool looking..They weren't just a sewing machine but a piece of furniture. Like the antique radios and televisions.

No that is a bad thing to do! I treadle barefoot so I know how it feels to get your foot under the peddle by accident. :oops:

The solar panels I bought came off of an office building that was torn down in Chicago and just one should be enough to run a house but I have 5 of them and only paid a grand a pop for them. The contractor that I picked them up from said they listed for over 15 to 20K each brand new. I even have all of the battery racks and the inverters that came out of the same building. The panels are around 8'x25' each, so they aren't the residential type by far. But I am going to power my home (a little over 4200sqft) and a shop I am going to build.

I should not have any issues with the power (I will even have 240v3 phase) but like I said earlier there is that guy Murphy that his laws will bite you if he ever gets the chance! :lol: :lol:

Billy

I sewed doll clothes for my 8" Muffie doll on my grandmothers treadle machine (I think it was a White). I wish I had it now.

is there a guarantee for foot power? :lol:

and callouses. you should have seen my grandma's feet. and she didn't have buns of steel. that's just a rumour. :lol:

I owuld love to have a treddle machine. I love antiques, not that I have any but I do so love them. Unfortuately it looks like I may never have one.

Kyia

As long as I own the whips and chains (and padlocks) you BETCHYA! LOL <wave>

Funny thing is I am selling off all of my vintage emachines so all I will have is treadle operated machines. I have only one left and I am really torn about if a want to sell it or not. The 1963 Pearl Iris Kenmore that is 1 of less than 4000.

I might by another electric machine but it will only be so I can flip it and buy another treadle. Right now I have a house full of them along with my studio.

Billy

That's it...I am definitely stepping up my search!! Saw three in an antique emporium last week....not working...pretty rough condition and over a thousand Aus. dollars each. They are hard to get at a good price here on the west coast. I have wanted one for years, so am looking for the "right" one at a reasonable price.

Just love the idea of using treadle power to produce quilts...somehow they just seem to belong together. They also look so fantastic....and just think the stories they could tell....