Hi K3n - I hope this works!
This one of my machines, a 1947 Bebarfald Bluebird, produced in Australia where I live, the machine itself is a Vickers. These were sold as a writing and sewing desk and were considered very topline furniture pieces of their time here. Note the Bluebird of Happiness on the machine. The advertising blurb was a blast, it went something like this, the wife would be happy sewing at home and the husband would be happy because his wife was kept busy and hence the bluebirds to signify that they were both happy. "Queenie" is one of forty machines I have but she is my best piecer for quilting outdoing the modern machines in my collection. Pic is when I first brough her home, she is much prettier now :)

Beautiful machine and cabinet. Where do you keep them all?

I have a 1904 Singer treadle. I hadn't even thought about using it for quilting. I'll have to try it!!!

Beautiful cabinet on your machine. Thx for sharing.

Hi Pzazz and Gayle - glad you liked her. I keep them in hallways, under beds, in cupboards, in lounge etc. Make sure you oil that 1904 - they love it. Check out NEELDLEBAR on Google, lots of help there. These old ladies never break down. I have seven treadles plus hand cranks and all sorts. Addicted. They do quilt too and can free motion quilt as well.

sorry - spelt wrong - it is NEEDLEBAR on Google.

What a cool machine!!

That machine is beautiful. Will have to tell DH your number of machines. I'm running out of room, and I have 8 plus 2 sergers. Love
them all.
Mary Ellen

She beautiful! You really have a collection :)

I love treadles. My mother had one years ago and gave it away AARRGH! My husband has been saying I need a new machine (I have a 20yr old Singer and a Pinnock (made in SA)). He's been looking at the mid range embroidery machines and can't understand why I want a treadle...thanks for sharing the pics and the cute story...you are one fortunate quilter!

I have a treadle, a feather weight, an elna, a singer, a (brother with a new joy quilting table that i would love to sell), a (melco embroidery machine would love to sell) a serger and a HQ16 (long arm). Also have 2 handi-quilters that I would love to sell.
WOW, are we spoiled or what.

Hi Earthwalker - look on EBay - that is where I got Queenie and most of my machines, she cost me the grand sum of $160 Aus and came with a motor and light which I pulled off and re converted her to a treadle when I restored her. Oh the belt to replace the motor - all of $10 Aus at any good sewing machine shop. Hope that helps :)

I had my husband read this post. I have 2 elnas, 2 old Singers, 2 Kenmores, 1 Montgomery Wards, and 1 Husqvuarna. He says, NO MORE, he forbids any more machines. LOL

So you're the one who has all the machines I was looking for! :lol: :lol:

Do what I do an hide them under the bed , pocoellie -or - as I tell my husband, they will be a hobby for him in retirement..... :)

Thank you for sharing this
wonderful sewing machine
with all of us. It is really
pretty. So you have 40 of
them collected? Good for you.
:D :D :D :D

Thanks Wings I'll check it out and probably Gumtree as well. Now all I have to do is de-clutter and find some space!

The 201K from the forties and fifties was the best treadle Singer made - smooth as silk - fairly readily available in Aus - not as pretty as the old ones. Singer 15K is another beauty - made around the twenties. Pretty machines if in good condition.

That a beautiful machine.

Hey Tuesy,
I don't know why you are looking for me but i did not do it!!!!!!
Now if you want to buy a machine, that's another story all together.

Have a good evening.

Hi Wings - you did it! Yeayyy!

Queenie is a beauty and I love the quote re the Bluebirds but I'm happy that attitudes to women have changed a little bit since the '40s! :shock: :lol:

OK, now where are the other 39 machines? :wink: :D

Love the beautiful brushstroke on the machine! That's quite the sewing machine!

Hi K3n - I think I would bore everyone silly going through all 39 of the others. I do have one treadle here that actually does a zig zag stitch. Made that way as an original. You can in fact convert to treadle lots of fifties machines that originally had engines so theoretically you could treadle some of the ones with embroidery discs if you wanted to be real fancy. I probably equate treadling to being like hand quilting, you drop the pace back and relax.

What a wonderful machine!!!! :D

Queenis is a real beauty! My MIL had a treadle, converted it but darn it...wouldn't ya' know...her granddaughter (who doesn't have a clue about sewing) has it now. I'm really :mrgreen: of her...can you tell?

I'm in awe of your 40 machine collection!

Well it wouldn't bore me and anyway, I'm already silly! :lol:

Maybe some edited highlights? I know I'm not the only one on here who loves these old machines. :D

cool. very nice

Hi K3n - I will take a pic of Lily at the weekend then and put her up next week, she is a rather stunning Frister and Rossman hand crank from 1910. Just for you :)

Aww thanks Wings - and that's doubly special because my daughter's name is Lily! :D

Unbelievable that your daughter is Lily! Wow! I have taken pic and post for you now K3n...

What a beauty!! And what did you do to make her "prettier." I have a late 1800s treadle Singer and don't know where to start. It's not in great condiion (decals are partially worn off). Thanks for sharing your beauty with us. Congratulations on a great collection. One of these days you may have a studio (or somewhere) that you can display all of them.

There are a couple of great sites where you can learn how to pretty them up - Treadle On , Needlebar. Lots of info there on restoring them and their cabinets. It does not matter that your decals are worn, that is part of the patina of age. Just never put methylated spirits, or kerosine, or WD40 on the decals as it removes them. They love sewing machine oil so you oil them inside and you can clean their silver parts with Autosol, a car bumper bar polish. To see what can be done sewing wise look up Damascus Jane on Google, she runs a whole business treadle quilting with treadle machines, amazing lady. Hope all that helps

Thank you, Wings. I'm glad you told me about the kerosine and WD40. I don't know what methylated spirits are, but I surely will try to find out.

In Aus it is known as Metho or Methylated spirits, it is used for cleaning - and is a liquid in a bottle, flammable, and is too harsh for cleaning the gold decals. Just a very soft rag and a bit of dishwashing liquid and warm water will clean them. You can polish the machine with a car polish but I have to check for the name with husband. ISMACS is another good net site, is the sewing machine collectors site. Hope all that helps GailG. I have a 1884 hand crank, Singer, she still works. Hard to get the needles for her though as they are very long ones. I have found I can use Organ brand needles with the round top that fits into the needlebar and drop them down a bit before tightening the screw, in some of my old machines that do not take modern needles.

Hi again Gailg - the wax to use on you sewing machine body is CARNAUBA WAX - and should be in your country too. Available at auto supply shops.

Thank you , Wings.

Hi GailG - if you have any probs you are welcome to email me and I will try to help re the restoration:)