I use a New Home treadle handed down from my great grandmother almost every day for quilting and have made bags, feed bag totes, and last week a scrubs top. It works great, especially at retreats when the electricity has issues. TreadleOn is a group that fixes and uses treadle machines and both TreadleOn and ISMACS are great resources for information on old sewing machines.

I have a "Red Eye" treadle and mine too needs a belt. I bought it for when our electricity runs low and because I have an "old sewing machine fetish." I find all of the attachments fascinating. I don't sew on it, but I do use it as my bedside table. It looks great with our old Victorian iron bed and piles of quilts on it.

My Granny had a number of sewing machines and she used them for different purposes. She said the treadle machine made the prettiest ruffles and she also used it for heavier jobs like jeans or upholstery.

Your Granny sounds like someone I would like! I do the same with my machines. The old Singers are my favorites for piecing, the Juki is for quilting the sandwich, the old Bernina is for bags and heavy stuff and the new Bernina is for garments!