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TGIF


About 7 months ago I started a quilted cover for my Singer 66-4 Treadle #2. I got the machine in November of last year and finally got it retro fitted back to a treadle in February. I had no idea what I was doing so I took a piece of one my wife’s green cutting boards that fell from a shelf and broke into pieces and cut a 3 ½” wide by about 10” long template and put a 45º angle on one end.

Then I began to cut out strips from any and all scraps my wife had from previous projects. Most of those were cat prints. I threw in a few pieces of camo material and one large panel from a piece she had.

Eventually I started piecing the strips together to make lengths, then I pieced the lengths into a rectangle. I did all this on the treadle machine.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rt2treadle.jpg

After the top was finished I took it downstairs to the cutting table and we cut out the batting. Screwed it up so I had to piece it too. Since it was handy I used the 413 for that.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps03407f22.jpg

Then we cut out the fleece for the bottom and pinned it. About 8 gazillion pins. If any of you ask I’ll be very polite and tell you I despise pins. I think you’ll understand why.

Once back at the treadle I quilted the thing.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps54518508.jpg
It didn’t take near as long to quilt it as I had though it would, but I will tell you, I had a major leg cramp when I was finished. Here is a pic of me holding the semi finished quilt with the machine and my supervisor in there too.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc1a9c9b3.jpg

After quilting it we found we had misjudged where the corners were to be and had to add four strips and the corners to make it fit. I was so frustrated my wife turned around, fired up the 201-2 and had them in about 15 minutes later. I would have got around to it, but she just did it. You can see the additions in the finished quilt pics below.

It sat for several weeks while I did this and that, fixed a bunch of things, cases, treadle cabinets, machines and other things. Finally I got to finishing it Monday night.

At that point all I had to do was even up the bottom edges then put the bias tape on it.
I did that on the treadle using the walking foot.

Here is some last pics of my Singer 66 Treadle #2 and its quilted cover. I’ve learned a bit while doing this, but the one thing I really learned is to be patient with …. myself. I’m my own worst enemy when I’m doing something I’m just learning to do.

Close up of 66 #2
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...psbae5e895.jpg

Close up of the walking foot.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps196cf75c.jpg
It’s a generic walking foot I found in my wifes Bernina 930 accessories box. She told me she got it from Clotilde some years back. All I know is it works on the straight stitch machines as well as low shank ZZ machines.

Machine open:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps3dd4ec91.jpg

Machine closed:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...psda9c7617.jpg

And the quilt cover, inside:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4651fc1d.jpg

Outside:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps83a2e3b8.jpg

Close up of the front panel:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...psdb8b6809.jpg


This was a lot of work. The cats like it too. Just after taking this pic the fuzzy kitty in the third picture was curled up sound asleep right in the middle of it. Camera wasn't handy then.

Joe

It's wonderful! Way to stick with it!!!

Nice job! I just saw a machine like this on my local Craig's List...at least I THINK it's like yours...here's the link:

http://fresno.craigslist.org/for/3282088395.html

They are asking $400 for it. What year are these machines?

Diannia

Diannia,

Well, that is pretty much exactly like my machine. Same decals, same cabinet. It's an early 66-1, notice the back clamp feet, and the cabinet is really nice too. But I wouldn't go over $200.00 for even if it has every attachment and accessory and a full set of feet with it.
The red eyes were made from before 1910 to around the late 20s. But I don't know the exact dates.

I have 5 functional treadles and if you add all them up, even the repairs and parts, I don't have $400.00 in them.

Just my opinion, for what's it's worth.

Joe

I'm impressed! Good job.

Love the cats. The cover's awfully nice, too :) Your pictures are making me even more anxious to get Colette (my red eye) up and running!

Great job, Joe. Though, I hate to tell you that walking foot doesn't fit your machine. If you look closely, the feed dogs on it don't fit your machine. That walking foot is probably a 5mm? Although it attaches and it may help a little, it doesn't do what it's engineered to do:< This is the same issue with all walking feet on the market and slant 301's. However, there is a low shank walking foot out(specifically made for these feed dogs and for the FW) . You will find that it will improve your quilting and stitching.

Walking feet really need to be bought to fit the size of the feed dogs as well as the shank. Look at it as another reason to buy a neat attachment!

Candace,

This is quite true, but it's what I had and it did help quite a bit. We will eventually get one made for the straight stitch machines. I think you're right about the 5 mm wide needle slot too.

Do you have any links to one of the walking feet for the straight stitchers?

Joe

Here is one, I think they can be had for a few dollars less if you hunt. It may be an Alphasew foot, http://www.april1930s.com/html/walki...herweight.html

I got mine from Sew Classic...http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shan...tch-P60400.htm It works great! Same foot...MUCH better price!

Candace, Pat,

Thanks for the links. It will be in our next order.

Joe

Thanks, Candace, I ordered it right away so that I can use it on all my older machines. I do have about 5 of them, but none fit these machines like they should. Again, Thanks, Amy Also see what I spotted on my way home tonight from work. Not letting me upload a picture of a huge bull moose. will have to try again later. maybe resize it.

Joe, my 66 treadle has back clamp feet. It appears that your walking foot is not a back clamp foot. Did you modify something or is your 66 not a back clamp feet model

Blackberry,

The 66-1 was the only Redeye that used the back clamp feet. After that Singer changed over to the side clamp or what is now called the low shank feet. The machine in the pics is a 66-4 and is a side clamp version made in the 20s.

Joe

Love the story, love the machine and cover, and love the cats.......look like mine that love to tear up batting!

Carloine,

Our kitties actually prefer the denim covers we've made. But anything soft and comfy suites them.

Joe

love the cover (and the cats). I am making an order for Sew-classic right now, so I'll just add the walking foot. All of my treadles need new belts, and a couple of my others, too, so I'll add the walking foot to my order. I love this board!!!

great job on the cover - and love your helpers! they add a very special touch!

my grandma's treadle is nearly identical to yours, but it's got the rear-attachment foot, so i guess it's a 66-1 and the shape of the drawers is slightly different. your decals are in great shape and it's a beautiful machine!