1895 and 1914 Singers
 

My son just brought me these two treadle sewing machines. They aren't in very good condition, but would like to try and bring some life back into them. This is new to me and have found some great info here. The hunt for a treadle sewing machine started when my son began to restore my treadle cabinet. I have had the cabinet since I was about 12 years old. I used as a table for all of my sewing machines since then. It was in bad need of refinishing so it has been in the garage for a very long time. We are expanding my sewing room since all the kids are gone and I brought my cabinet back out to clean her up and give her a place in my new room. I would love to find a treadle sewing machine to fit my cabinet that actually runs. It is not a Singer cabinet and neither of these two sewing machines fit the cut out and the pins do not line up to attach it.

WOW 3 projects!!!

Yes, thankfully my son enjoys restoring old wood items, so he will refinish the cabinet. I have never refurbished a sewing machine before, but I am going to try. I don't know if these can ever run again, but I hope to at least bring some life back to them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

They're not that bad. You'll be amazed how pretty they polish up. Try reading Glenn's thread on shellac finishes, as well as Muv's thread on cleaning. There's loads of info.

~ Cindy

Thank you. I found Glenn's thread - very informative. I haven't been able to find Muv's. Do you know how it is listed?

The wooden part the sewing machine is mounted in bears a strong resemblance to Wheeler & Wilson but the rest of the treadle base doesn't.
Sorry that's all I have.
Rodney

Thank you for the info. I don't know how to figure out what brand the cabinet is. We cannot find any markings on it.

The Muv threads are stickied at the top.

Is that rust coming through the paint on the bed of the Sphinx?

I think your base may be an Eldridge.
I found this picture of a six drawer version but the link to the treadler's village is dead.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/22095854392114012/
Rodney
EDIT: I also found this but no info on the brand:
http://home.centurytel.net/aoelke/images/treadle.jpg

Thank you for info on Muv threads. The paint is peeling off the bed of the Sphinx. It looks like it could be rust, but is more rust looking in the picture than in person. The paint is bubbling up on the bed. Not sure if should leave it alone or peel off the paint to treat the possible rust???

Does look like the treadle on my cabinet. I will research Eldridge. Thank you soooo much!

Still looking. I think this might clinch it.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...p-t238558.html
If it is for a two spool, I wouldn't make any permanent changes to the cabinet.
Rodney

That sure does look like my treadle. We are just cleaning up the cabinet and fixing broken wood parts and staining the wood and just cleaning the treadle - no paint. The top veneer is gone off the cabinet, but we aren't replacing it. Just staining the existing wood. Has worm holes in it - kind of gives it character.

I am new to vintage machines. What is Two Spool?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html = Muv's videos - her signature = links to her blog!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t193635.html = Glenn's shellac

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...r-t235747.html = Glenn's tutorial remix

If you search Glenn's profile you can read other things he has written as well.

Perfect, thank you Miriam! I am excited to try and bring some life back to these girls, but also nervous. Don't want to harm them either.

Good luck, they look like they will be beautiful once they are restored. It is nice that your son restores old wooden items. This helps a lot. Smiles.

Two spool is a type of sewing machine that was unique to Eldridge where a small but regular spool of thread was used instead of a bobbin. If you ran out of thread you simply switched out spools, no bobbin winding. Eldridge was bought by National and they continued the two spool design for a while. The machines are desirable to collectors and I don't think all that many were made though I'm not sure if they qualify as rare. Maybe someone else will chime in with better info. The Eldridge irons I've seen so far have Eldridge cast into them so I think your cabinet is the National version instead. Your cabinet wouldn't be nearly as common as a Singer or White cabinet so to me it's worthwhile to keep it intact.
Rodney

Thanks for the info Rodney. I did notice when I looked online that the Eldridge treadles said Eldridge. So what type of machine would fit into a National cabinet? Did they make a National machine? I need to learn more about all these. It is very interesting. The two spool machine sounds wonderful. Would be nice not to have to wind bobbins. I am going to do some looking for those. Is National connected with Eldridge? I'd love to find a machine that will work in my cabinet. The singers do not fit. But, it looks like you could bring the treadle belt up and make it work or does that throw off the sewing?

Rodney, you say to keep it intact. The veneer is gone off the top. I was thinking of either replacing the veneer or just staining the wood that shows. The wood is not a good wood, just planks of odd wood with worm holes in it now. What would you suggest doing? Thanks so much.