Hello Hello!
 

Hi! I'm Kate and I'm joining the forum as an absolute novice. I'm in Minneapolis, but I'm from Southern California, so I've had to learn a lot of new hobbies since moving to the midwest.

I primarily weave and spin fiber, and I'm looking for more uses for my woven fabric (other than scarves and runners), so I'd like to develop some sewing skills. I haven't sewn more than a few small bags in my entire life - mostly because my mother's sewing machine was FORBODEN, but also due to more than a few horrible experiences with cheap tiny plastic sewing machines. (Tears, hot face yelling, and I may have chucked a $10 thrift store mini-sewing machine as a wall once... or twice...)

I've been doing a little bit of research, and learned that treadle machines are great for sewing woven fabric and leather. I recently purchased a White Family Rotary treadle machine off craigslist for $50, in a lovely parlor cabinet. It was serviced when the seller originally bought it for her daughter, but she never used it and couldn't remember how long since it's been used. There's almost no lint or dust on it and it's in such amazing condition! However, the belt (and spare belt) were both super soft and broke over and over while I was testing the machine. I managed to thread the top spool and bobbin, and confirmed the machine works! But, then the treadle slipped backwards and the bobbin thread jammed up, and... the belt snapped... So... that's how it's going so far!

Nice to meet everyone!

Welcome to the Board, and wanted to say, what an absolutely gorgeous machine you have. I think the belts are under $20.00, the pliers are probably more than the belt. LOL

Hi & Thanks! I'm totally smitten. I've been hunting for a while and stumbled upon her on craigslist; I was half sure the seller would raise the price when I got there, or it would be totally jammed. I feel incredibly lucky :)

I found some replacement belts online, I think I want to try the Amish Rubber Belt I saw... Thankfully I have some pliers and leather awls, if I do get a leather belt as well.

Welcome from South Louisiana. You sure know how to make an entrance. Most of us would love to have that beautiful sewing machine. Good luck with her. I'd name her Granny.

Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! It sounds like you have a handle on the new treadle even with the belts breaking on you. It takes time to keep the pedal going in the right direction. You will do it of that I am confident.
It sounds like you do a lot of fiber arts. Adding sewing to the list will make a world of exciting differences to your fiber art projects.
I look forward to seeing a lot of you on the board. Again welcome aboard!

Thank you!
Yes I definitely feel lucky, I really wasn’t sure if I wanted a “heavy duty” electric machine, because the reviews can be mixed and the price for a decent machine is not in my budget. I feel like I stumbled on a gem - Granny is a good name :) I was also thinking Lydia, for my husbands great great aunt who was a seamstress. Maybe Granny Lydia hahaha..
And yes, no fiber art career is complete without sewing. I’ll have a lot of questions! And I already love the treadle, it feels a little like my spinning wheel.

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Waving hello from Maryland and that's a nice machine you got there!

Welcome from Illinois. Your machine is awesome and she is absolutely beautiful. I have two Featherweights (Ruby and Aunt Gertie). My treadle is Franc ( that was my grandmother's name). I also have a Bernina, Janome and a Viking and all are adored! Love to see what you are making..I am in awe of fiber art. I have two jackets I bought in NYC from a weaver several years ago. Every time I wear one I get compliments from someone. They are indestructible.

I would absolutely LOVE to make jackets with some of my woven fabric. I know just what you mean - the woven textiles just seem to get tougher and softer at the same time as they’re worn in. That and leather bottom bags are my goal this year. I know I need to learn how to use interfacing, so that’s where I’m hoping learning quilting will really help.

HI kate, welcome from central Ohio. I learned to sew on my mother's treadle sewing machine and have an old treadle machine in my basement. It's been down there at least thirty years and I have no idea which auction it came from. I'll never use it since I have two vintage Sears machines and a Janome which I use all the time. The treadle also needs refinishing badly and my refinishing days are far behind me.
I can remember my mother doing some kind of maintenance on the belt on her machine but what it was I have no idea now.
My only pet peeve with her treadle machine was the bobbin winder was either broken or missing. Winding all those bobbins was a real pain but the machine had a beautiful stitch and just purred along without any problems on all my 4-H projects through the years. I'm sure you'll love it when you get it going. I haven't been in this group very long but it seems that everyone is nice and willing to help in anyway they can.

You're very competent to be able to upload photos. I have no idea how to go about it.

Welcome to the board from NE Ohio.

Hi Seneth! I love how many people I know have been telling me they learned to sew on a treadle machine. My husband's grandma lit up when I sent her some photos today, and my sister in law just realized she's had one as a TV stand in her house for years. We're going to try to find someone to service it soon :)

It looks like this one has the bobbin winder intact and I'm incredibly happy for that! If not, I do have a very cheap (basically toy) sewing machine that I could wind bobbins with. I don't use it to sew, as the last time I did it just wouldn't stop making little spider nests... but I use it to spool my weaving bobbins! This makes me wonder if I can make an adapter for winding my weaving bobbins on the treadle lady.