Okay, I have been using my grandmother's featherweight for all my quiting for awhile now. And my husband scored another COMPLETE featherweight - including the buttonhole attachment - from the county trash/recycle site. (He scored MAJOR brownie points for that :thumbup: )

But, I have been noticing all of the people that are quilting with a treadle. I have both knees totally replaced 2 years ago. And I have a hip that - due to being hit by a drunk driver in my own living room - comes out of joint every now and then. So I have a couple of questions -

1 - How much physical exertion does the machine take?
2 - How comfortable do you think I could be using a treadle?
3 - Are the treadle machines fairly easy to maintain? I am thinking about the daily/weekly upkeep that I do with my Featherweights.
4 - How hard is it to refurbish one? And what conditions would make a treadle un-refurbish-able (if that is even a word).

Any advise/ideas/comments will be greatly apprciated.

I am going to try and respond.

1. Not much I would say it is the way you treadle. The way I do it more is put on my right leg then my other. But I need to stop that. As I use the treadle for physical therapy and my left foot has a slow response. So I use the treadle to try and work on that.
I have arthritis in my ankles and knees. I noticed it was more of my muscle that were a bit sore when I did a long time on the treadle.

2. I think that if your knees are okay since the replacement then you would be okay. If you have a comfy chair then the hip should not be a problem.

3. I maintain mine buy cleaning the lint out and putting oil in it after every project. I have heard some say oil everyday some say every week. so I go in between

4. I think it has to be really really bad for it to be non refurbish able. But then again I have never refurbished one. I can clean them up but taking everything apart is not my thing


Sorry I cant be of more help.

Maybe till you know you like it buy a cheap one a singer that uses modern feet, needles, and bobbins that way you dont have a headache to get new stuff

Good Luck
I enjoy mine and would trade all my new ones for it!

Abby - your answers are great. Just what I wanted to know. You mentioned using the treadle for PT on your foot. That is kind of what I am thinking re: my knees and hip. A way to get movement/exercise in a productive way. I do all of the walking, stretching and things that the Dr. said, but being able to accomplish it while sewing just seems like the perfect 'marriage'.

Can't help you with your questions... BUT

how lucky to have 2 featherweights :mrgreen:

if your ankles work you can treadle!

Great responses about the treadle machines. I have two but never thought about the fact that they may be giving me a workout too. Treadles are especially great if you are in a area where you might lose power now and then. I've also seen a video of someone quilting on a treadle and was stunned! Wonder if any of you have done that? Looks like maybe you could have more control over your stitches??? Just wondering ....

I just made my dog a quilt on my treadle
Here it is and I have to say even with my disability I found I liked it a lot more then an electric machine

I would say that if anything it would be therapeutic for you. Plus you get to have a good Cardio workout too!!

Up keep would be minimal but as far as a refurbish I have only met one that was too bad for me and it sat under water for a few months and there was no way I could get it unstuck. I usually can get a locked up machine working no problem but that one had my number!

I say go for it!!!

Billy

I see your treadle machine as your avatar. What model is it? A 66,15, or whatever. Mine looks just like yours.

Thanks
Chris

I just received and refurbished my very first treadle. It arrived in rough (not functional) condition. Yes, I took it all apart but took TONS of digital pics from every angle imaginable during the process. It was worth every minute of time spent cleaning too!

My neighbor's physical therapist has prescribed treadle work for her bad ankle. The action is perfect, not too much from an impact perspective, and easily repeatable. Her response? Darn! I have to sew more!!! :-)

Now, I just have to find her a repairable treadle or I think I'll be losing mine! Warning, it's addictive.