You're right Quiltnnan there have been threads about this and it seems those who put a lot of time and effort into restoring old machines don't agree with repurposing but I guess to each their own. Just like it wouldn't be a problem to use your quilts to catch the oil drips under my old car as many objects can have multiple uses and it would be much better than taking them to the dump.

I meant to say old quilts. I use mine for dog beds. Maybe we should start a thread about repurposing quilts.

Finding a machine to go in a treadle is much easier than finding a nice treadle.

I think if I had such a beautiful cabinet with no machine, I would try to find someone who has a nice machine and needs a better cabinet. Although the setup is beautiful, I couldn't enjoy it, knowing that a wooden top like that probably wouldn't last, and someone else is dying to have it for their sewing machine.

Sadly, around here treadles aren’t of value. I’m fine with this repurpose and now it gets used everyday. I’m betting the top is not original. This house is small & my dear Grams treadle is in basement now so I’m just storing it. In fact i’m in favor of repurposed anything.

That was a very good condition, fully functioning treadle cabinet used in a manner I do not agree with at all. It sure seems like a shame to abuse a cabinet in this way. I was sorry to see this conversion. I certainly am a vintage & antique machine enthusiast.

I also disagree with taking an antique quilt in very good condition to use for a moving blanket or to catch oil drops.

It looks to me as if the top and front are most likely new wood.....if you notice, they are much lighter than the drawers.
So yes, I would say it has been repurposed....nothing wrong with that...
Most of the treadle's I see at estate sales are in pretty sad shape with the exception of the iron.....the wood is usually pretty rough looking; broken drawers, split veneer, etc...

Agreed, I think everyone definitely sees the new wood on top and front center drawer. Often the irons have broken/missing pieces also, but this one seems intact. I guess I would need to see the original front tilt drawer and top/s to evaluate their condition but the remaining original side drawers and hardware seem to be in great condition.

The top would have to be new, as none are shaped like that, but I have noticed many where the drawers appear different. One I know it was just an age thing as it was the treadle my sister learned to sew on. She really enjoys sewing with it. The treadle I have one of my 27 heads in has had some new wood work done to it (not by me) as some of the previous pieces were still in the drawers. I would have not known they weren't original if the pieces weren't with it. The parlor cabinet for one of my 15s isn't in the best of shape, but still is functional. Both are very fun to sew on. (I didn't think I would ever say that, based on my first experience with a treadle.)

I think it is foolishness to put an antique wood treadle in a bathroom or put polyurethane on an antique piece of furniture. There are better ways to preserve the surfaces.


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I have one in great shape, sadly the 66 it contained was not in the same condition. I wanted a 66 to convert to a hand crank. While I found one in near perfect condition on eBay; it did not have the necessary hole on the side to attach the hand crank. So I swapped the 66 in the treadle cabinet with the 66 I bought. Now I have a beautiful treadle and a usable hand crank.