jlt37869

I just inherited my great grandmother's Domestic treadle. I hope to clean it and get it working. I have found the ismacs.net site and few other places with info., but given the age of the machine and the scarcity of them, it's rather slow going.

On the slide plate, the last patent date listed is Apr 14, 1874 and the last reissue date is May 15, 1876 and includes the number 1062749. The base appears to be a No. 4, but the head (which I have not yet cleaned), looks to be solid black (with no ornate gold lettering or decals).

I do not have the original manual, but do have some attachments. From what I was told the machine was purchased new by my great grandmother. The machine was then given to her daughter/my grandmother. Both of these women sewed using the machine. In the early 1970's the machine was then given to my mother, who never used the machine, however (get this) she periodically dusted it and oiled it. So, after sitting quietly in her house for nearly 50 years, she dropped it off at my house last week. The wheel, treadle, needle, etc. all move very smoothly, so I am hopeful I can one day sew on it.

I'm looking for resources as far as how to clean it and operate it and where to find parts for it. I welcome any other information or advice you may have as well. Thanks!

Jennifer

bkay

Congratulations! It looks like a well kept machine. What a prize to have your ggrandmother's machine! (Sorry, I'm no help on treadles.)

bkay

Mickey2

You are very lucky your mother cared for it all those years. When stored for 10 or 20 years and never getting used a lot of stuff get tossed out, or stored in damp lofts or cellars. Luckily this isn't always the case. Was it bought new? I'm thinking out loudly now, but if my great, great grand mother bought a sewing machine when she was in her 20s I think it would have been sometime in the 1880s.

You have to let us know if it shines up any further, it's in pretty good condition as it is. Have you had time to thread it up and done some test sewing?

OurWorkbench

You need to get together with jlamere as you have a very similar machine as hers at http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...c-t287533.html
I think the link to the manual at ISMACS is somewhere in that thread.

Neat that you both have a grandmother's machine.

As far as cleaning, there is a sticky at the beginning of this forum http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html

Nice that you have some attachments. Does that include some extra long bobbins? It looks like part of your bobbing winder is missing. Also I think it takes a different needle. (I can't remember if jlamere' thread has actually listed the needle system that is for your machine)


Have fun getting it back in use.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Macybaby

that is similar to the one I gave to Steve over on the Victorian Sweatshop site. I know he got it up and running. I wanted a later model that I could fit the chain stitch adapter to. And for what ever reason, I've accumulated quite a few extra attachments for Domestic machines. I really like the older slide mount ruffler.

I love that older style bobbin winder. In the directions, they show a picture of using your hand to guide the thread as you wind the bobbin.

I thought I had a manual for this version, but maybe I sent it with the machine. There is a manual for the later "New Domestic" that I uploaded to the VSS site.

OurWorkbench

I found the instructions for the bobbin winder that doesn't have the arm to guide the thread back and forth - http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...0874/index.htm actually the picture of winding bobbin by guiding by hand http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...ges/image8.htm

Both the New Domestic manual and http://ismacs.net/domestic/manuals/d...ine-manual.pdf show it with the notched guide arm that moves the thread back and forth.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

jlt37869

Good point. I will check the dates in our family tree book to see if they "line up".

No, I have not yet threaded the machine to take a test stitch. But I might just go ahead and do that because everything appears to be working!

jlt37869

Yes, I am also following her thread as our machines are so similar! It's interesting how these old machines "pop up". Makes one wonder what other machines might be hiding out in various attics and basements.

I have 2 bobbins and I have quite a few Domestic machine needles (in varying conditions). I will post a photo of the accessories/attachments this week.

As far as the needles, I do see the notch at the top of them. Does anyone still make this type of machine needle? If not, how are folks still sewing on these old treadles. If possible, I would like to buy new needles and a new belt. Otherwise, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be sewing on it beyond testing it.

Thank you for all the info/links - that manual is helpful. I feel like I'm putting together a puzzle!

jlt37869

When you say "this version", do you know which version I have?! I only said it was a No. 4 based on the base, but really not sure if that is correct.

So, did you end up getting a later model Domestic?

I will check out the VSS site! Thank you!!!

OurWorkbench

Yes, I have found similar machines "pop up" about the same time. I'll sometimes see one at a thrift store or on CL about the same time someone here has found or gotten the same machine.

I'm looking forward to seeing the attachments.

For the needles check out http://stores.ebay.com/Jacks-SM-Repair (jlhmnj aka Jon is a member here and is very knowledgeable and helpful with these older needles). He tells of some of the other systems that work for these machines at http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t265625.html

I'm glad the links have helped. I know having a manual does help. Sometimes being able to look at a couple of similar but a little different manual helps. One might have better pictures while another might describe it better.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.