not to my way of thinking. my necchi, may it rest in piece, had an optional hand-crank, being european. the one time i tried to use it during a power outage, it drove me nuts for exactly that reason.

I do not own any hand cranks yet but I have wondered the same thing.

But the folks that have them love and swear by them.

Billy

Check on Craigslist. This past weekend I found a Singer model 66--(Redeye :D--wooohoooo) treadle in a parlor cabinet on Craigslist this week for only $100. I have wanted a Red eye since the first time I saw one. The woman selling the treadle machine also had a Singer 404 for sale that I went back and bought yesterday! This is a sickness, I tell ya!!!
:thumbup:

The only thing wrong with this is that you do not have a Parlor cabinet. Although you do have a nice machine and it looks like it was cared for very well.

What you do have is a Drawing Room Cabinet which is the most sought after cabinet there is (and the most expensive)!! :thumbup:

I can not believe you got it for that price!

Billy

Cathy, that machine and cab are GORGEOUS!! I'm so jealous! ;)

You will love the 404. I have one (since '62). It does a gorgeous stitch. It has been with my DD#2 for many years. I will soon be reclaiming it (as soon as I can find a spot for it in this house). The red eye is in such fantastic condition.

I would love to have one to use. I had one, and had to leave it when I moved. Now I wish I still had it.

Such a beautiful sewing machine! I'm going to show my ignorance here, but have to ask - what is a 'red eye'? Does that just refer to the paint? Is it that few were made? Hmmm?

Quilt Mom, the "Red Eye" refers to the decals on the machine... :)

Thanks, Charlee! I learn a little each day.