My parents picked up this machine and her cabinet off the curb in the mid '70s. I've used her as a display piece/table and have never sewn on her. But she's near and dear to my heart. I don't think she was expensive but she's seen some long hours creating someone's masterpieces.

Really nice, I would love to find one of these some day.

It's hard to believe somebody would put that out for the trash pickup!! I'm glad it was rescued! :D

Very nice, you should have it look at and a new belt installed and try her out! She is lovely.

If I were you I would clean it up and use it. I use my treadles all the time for piecing quilts. Very nice machine. Glenn

My folks couldn't believe someone was throwing it out either. I have a desire to get her ready to run again but we're moving into our new addition (and sewing room) this week so my schedule is pretty full. Glad you're enjoying the pictures.

One funny thing is that three of the drawers have locked up so I can't check their contents. I think there are bobbins and more attachments in one of them. They should not be hard to open with the right key.

My mother's treadle that she got when she and my dad married in 1945 is still in working order. We thought it was a goner, until one night in JoAnns I met a lady that teaches at the local Singer store in north Austin. We got to talking about everything sewing related and come to find out the owner of the store works on treadles and his brother restores the cabinets. Now my mother's had been just sitting for years and years, needed a new belt for sure, so my brother and I loaded it up on his truck bed and took it in. Cabinet doesn't need restoring for it was always inside the house. Anyway I put new ticking on this pillow as the very first project after bringing her home. Now I am piecing a quilt on it. I don't see the place to attach a picture or I would add it to this reply.

Gorgeous!!! I would fix her up and use her!!! :D:D

Doesn't it get tiring when you use a treadle? Seems like it would be exercise that we're not used to doing.

Like any other exercise, the more you do the more your muscles get fit.

I agree! I was told once by this lady that quilts that there are some quilters that only piece on treadles and hand cranks.

lovely little beauties , you both have a treasure for sure! even the cabinets are nice

I love my treadle she is so perfect! They are fun and yes they can work your leg muscles but it is worth it!

Beautiful!

Beautiful.. back in 1960 I watched my grandparents take there treadle apart.. i couldn't believe it, I loved playing with it up in the attic... they used it by the front door for a entry table of all things.. My brother still has the frame.. but the parts were all gone when we went through the house after there passing...

Beautiful machines :D :thumbup:

Dear gypsyatheart43,
About 3 years ago I began researching and trying to find out for my mother who manufactured her treadle New England Queen which I pictured above. We would walk into antique stores and would see various names on treadles other than the Singer name and she would ask if they knew and they would look in their books but to no avail. Well the Internet has now been a vital tool in allowing the question be answered. New England Queen was made by the National Sewing Machine Company out of Belvidere, Illinois not far from Chicago. My mothers machine actual had beautiful decals which over the years rubbed off, but there is a picture of her exact same machine head on webshots, with the pretty colorful flowers and New England Queen stenciled across.

As for your Franklin, the first ten years 1910-1920 it was made by Domestic, but then after that made by White, and was sold at Sears. Here is a little history for you and actually if you scroll down far enough you can see a sketch of one as I believe these pictures were taken out of old Sears catalogs and Monky Ward too.
http://www.ismacs.net/sears/sears.html

I know you love your machine and I think you would love it even more if you found someone that knows how to get it going. To put a new belt on mother's, and cleaning, oiling and adjustments brought the cost right under $100. It is so sentimental due to the fact that when I look at my childhood portraits and see the dress mother made, I know it was made on that New England Queen sitting right here in this house. And to think, I am using it now to piece a quilt.

Go for it! It just so happens the Singer store here is owned by an elderly man that has much knowledge and expertise in sewing machines from back in that era. But our Pfaff, Brother and Janome dealer where I frequent has a repairman that also works on treadles. So I think if you searched and asked around you probably would find the right repair person to take it on.

Oh since you mentioned the drawers; we had a discussion about the old days with the man that worked on my mother's treadle and my brother asked him "now why would anyone need a key to lock up sewing machine drawers" and I was quite surprised at the answer! He said that in those days it was a perfect hiding place for your money; that no one would think to look there that intruded into your house. Now don't break those drawers trying to get in there - be gentle! If anything I thought it would have been to keep everyone in the house from using the scissors!

Vernell in Austin

Look what I found; the cover to the owner's manual to your Franklin IF it is the model that was made by the Domestic Company.


The light running domestic

The Sears Roebuck & Co sold many of the Domestic machines under their brand name of the Minnesota, even after White's took over the firm in 1924.

The Minnesota, Franklin and the Domestic VS models are the most common ones to survive from the company.

Sears & Roebuck the World's largest store

The Franklin or Minnesota Sewing Machine by Domestic.

When the Domestic Sewing Machine Co exported to Europe they advertised their machines as the American Domestic Sewing Machine.

Beautiful cabinet and nice machine! I have numerous treadles that I used to piece and quilt with, even FM. At first it seems like work trying to treadle, but after you get the hang of using the treadle it is very soothing and fun. Vintage machines are workhorses and are very easy to service yourself. There are numerous tutorials on the internet, and even some videos on how to wind your bobbin, if you need help there. Clean her up, give her a name if you haven't already, and start using her- she will love you for it. Happy Treadling!

Thanks, everyone, for your encouragement. I was excited when I found this site and all of her quilting information. Now it is even better because of all your help with my precious old treadle. It's especially precious because my parents who rescued this beautiful antique are both gone and she reminds me of them with every glance. I am blessed with a very handy DH who will accept the challenge of restoring her. The cabinet is worn but in pretty good shape. Is it possible to find a manual for all these old beauties? There are so many loose parts that we'll definitely need some directions.

She is so beautiful. The curvy shape of the machine is very nice, don't you think?

She is beautiful. Thanks for giving her a good home.

Great find. She a keeper.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/v...read.php?t=463

At this link there is discussion on how to thread this machine. There are links inside the discussion and they will take you to diagrams from the owner's manual. Most old treadles have the shuttle type bobbin which you will see in the diagrams; how to thread it, etc.

AND, here is a link to a way to the actual manual!!
http://www.thetreadlersvillage.com/S...nVSManual.html

Regarding the locked drawers:
One of my treadles has a simple locking system - the handle turns to the right to unlock the drawer.
Other treadles require a simple key, either a triangular or square. You might even be able to get it open with a screwdriver (carefully, of course, don't want to damage anything).

You may enjoy the conversation at the Vintage Machine Shop found on this QB site. Numerous folks share information and chat about their vintage machines. Some of us sew with our machines too. Here is the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-703.htm

I think this forum has the most helpful readers in the world. Thanks for all your comments. My husband did get the drawers opened. Unfortunately, there were no more bobbins in there but I'm sure there is one in the machine itself.

Yes, she is quite a handsome lady in her simple cabinet. The flywheel (?) turns very easily by hand. Don't know what it will do when the belt is in place. The belt is there but not on the wheel. Once we get moved into our new addition and I am settled in my new sewing room, I'll do some serious investigating.

Thanks so much, vschieve, for the links. I'm especially excited about the manual and instructions.

You are welcome and I look forward to hearing more as you and DH progress in her revitalization and restoration. My biggest hope is to see a picture posted of you treadling on it!

And BTW, in all my searching I learned that the decal name on your Franklin is the Scarab. Check that beetle out up there on the right!

I Just ​ purchased a franklin threadle machine sim to yours i want to post a picture but dont know how yet

picture would appreciate any info missing threadle where do i start looking

I just joined this forum. I have this same cabinet with my hubby' grandmother's Franklin treadle in it. (Pretty sure it's very similar to your machine.) I'm amazed at all the different attachments they had for machines back then. The ruffler/gatherer, the binding maker, etc. I have the instruction booklet, but it's seen better days. Love my heirloom.

what a beautiful machine