Treadle Power!

[lyric]

I'm so excited about our latest find.

- A treadle sewing machine! Prepping to go off grid and move onto our farm we are ISO affordable non-electric items. This was a semi-steal.

http://hiphillbillyfarm.com/treadle-sewing/

Thanks in advance for checking it out.

 

[dmccann]

Beautiful!!

 

[conny63malies]

My grandma had one from Singer she got from her mom.It was maybe from the 20s. I learned on that machine. Did you ever check the Lehmans website? They got tons of non electric things. I would love to have a cooking stove!!!!!

 

[ChickiKat]

That is fabulous!! Good find!

 

[kaom]

neat!!

 

[ChicksterJo]

It looks beautiful! I'm kind of scared to try a treadler sewing machine. I know my grandpa still has one but it's not in as great condition as that. We are also planning to go off grid (I'm mostly collecting stuff for the kitchen though LOL) and we're looking at Eastern Tennessee...

Have fun with it!!

 

[torrelee]

I have one in my garage that my grandma gave me. The veneer on the wood is messed up but the machine seems to be in good shape. Do you have any idea where to get the belt that attaches to the treadle wheel? The one that was on it is busted, and I'm not sure where to begin looking!

 

[justbugged]

I have my grandmothers treadle machine that she bought on time payments. She started paying for it in 1932, and was finally able to get a 1935 Singer Machine. I had it service not long ago, and I hope to quilt the quilt top that she pieced using the machine someday.

 

[dmccann]

U can buy all kinds of parts on the internet,i also need to buy a leather belt for mine.

 

[CarolineNH]

You can still buy leather treadle machine belts. Here's one place:
http://sewingmachineparts.net/leather_treadle_belts.html

Google "treadle sewing machine belt" and you'll find lots more. They only sell one size; you buy the belt, put it on the machine in the path it will need to follow, and mark the length. One end has a metal staple. Line up the non-staple end and mark the overlap that you need to cut off. I take off an extra half-inch or so, because it needs to have some grip and it will stretch some with use. Then you cut off the excess, and drill a tiny hole for the other end of the metal staple.

Run the belt, without connecting the ends, through the path it needs to follow, then connect the ends and tighten down the staple. I find it helpful to connect the ends with the belt off the edge of one end of the path - either the crank wheel or the hand wheel. Then slip it back on and treadle away.