My sewing groups of friends decided to have a Treadle sewing machine challenge in March. Those of us that own a treadle need to get it out and do SOMETHING with it to qualify for the challenge. That means uncovering it, cleaning it and maybe even sewing on it if able. So many of us have lovely treadle machines that work as a table and nothing more.
This Treadle is from 1915 and a Singer Red Eye 66. Once a year I dust it off real well and oil it but its been years since I sewed on it. It was given to me in 2003 I think by my FIL when he moved from his home to my SIL house. This machine was owned by my MIL and before her it was owned by her mother. So it has not been sewn on since I brought it home in 2003 and probably not since the 1980's in my in laws home.
I opened her up last night and took it apart for the first time. Alot of hard dried up gunk! Between my hubby and I we cleaned up the parts, drenched it all in oil and thoroughly cleaned it.
Isn't she pretty? I have decided to name her Dory after my MIL.
I sewed on her a little bit last night to make sure all bits and pieces moved well. Emptied all the bobbins of antique thread and put a new needle in. Not sure on the needle......I found 2 types in the drawer. One looked like a standard singer needle like we use now and the other was about 1/2" longer in old Boye needle cases. The manual stated 15x1 needles. I believe those are the standard ones, one day I will find out what those longer ones fit. Tomorrow I will thread it up and sew on it.
Here is a pic of our other treadle. Its a Singer 24-9. I bought it for my hubby for Christmas so he can sew leather and other heavy stuff.
It has a base, hubby removed the head so he could put it in the shop to work on it. It needs a bit of TLC yet, just waiting for nicer weather so he can degunk it.
Time to sew a bit today. With my new job I have alot less time so have to use what I do have well!
