I tripped today....

Just yesterday on one of the threads about treadle sewing machines I made the statement I wanted one but hated estate sales and craigslist is just not useful in my rural environment, so I would have to literally trip across a treadle to find one to purchase.

SO.....

I was driving through my small town today when I spotted a sewing machine out on the sidewalk in front of a new vintage shop. I took a second look and realized it was a treadle. I parked, went back, and looked at it. The cabinet was in good shape and the decals of the machine were excellent. It is a Model 66. The slide plate is gone and the belt is shot, so could not tell if it would actually sew. Mechanisms did seem to move freely when I moved the hand wheel. They were asking too much, but I finally haggled it down some. Still wasn't completely happy with the price, came home and did more research. Finally decided that for the condition and the fact I didn't have to waste gas going to hunt one down that it was worth it.

SO..

she will be delivered tomorrow. I learned to sew on a treadle...Mom traded hers for $20.00 when she bought her Touch and Sew 600E in the early 60's. We had a small house and she had no where to store it. Wish I still had it. At least this one has the same cabinet.

Also, my MIL loaned me her treadle when I first got married. Mom finally bought me an electric (which I learned to hate because it was the devil to sew on and caused me to hate sewing for years....). That treadle disappeared after my MIL passed. Guess the aliens don't have electricity and beamed it up for Scotty to sew on.

SO..

I can't believe it. I finally will have a treadle in the house again. This is a pic from my phone as she stood on the sidewalk. Probably name her after my Mom. Today would have been her 95th birthday. Attachment 107151

She is pretty! Have you looked up her serial number yet to see what year she was "born"?

Oh my, she is bee-yoo-ti-ful!!! Very happy for you, and hoping I run across one, one of these days! Just the picture brings back very fond memories for me! Hope she's up and running soon, Congratulations! :D

How exciting for you! It was me musing about treadles, and I'm so glad you tripped over one! I remember reading your post and thinking there had to be some way for you to find one, and here it found you! It looks lovely, I bet you can get it working. As I understand it, there are a great number still in existence, so I think one should eventually be able to find any parts needed.

I'm going to try and move mine to my living room today, it has so much stuff piled on it and it's tucked away. My mother said it always worked, so I'm hoping it needs minimal work to get it sewing.

Pretty pretty pretty!!! I have a Red Eye 66 as well. eBay is a good place to look for parts. I bought some bobbins from eBay because I found the regular Singer bobbins don't work well in the treadle. I couldn't get them to wind at all using the treadle. Singer needles work well though.

I also picked up the puzzle box with everything in it but one screw driver.

Have tons of fun!

Congrats! It looks in good shape. Do you have a manual? You can find them on line, it will help you a lot to spot where you must oil and the reference of the parts that need replacement. A slide plate and a belt are not hard to find. Enjoy your haul!

WOW...what a beautiful machine!

How. cool. is. that?!? Beautiful machine.

Brings back memories. I also learned to sew on a treadle machine. I have a treadle in my bsmt. in the sewing rm. Haven't used it for years. It was in my first husband's family, & when I acquired it, I had to agree to keep it in the family. Not sure if any of the kids or grandkids will ever want it.

She's beautiful...a graceful reminder of the past.

She looks like a beautiful machine,I hope you get it in shape for sewing soon.

Beautiful machine and so easy to maintain. I know over here in the UK older Singer machine parts are very easy to come by and extremely cheap. There are companies now that specialise in making new parts for old Singers.

I have 2 hand crank Singers one from the 60's my small portable 128K and my much older Singer of 113years old which was once a hand crank but in the 30's had the Singer conversion to electric done. Both are so easy to service and sew beautifully.

All the best locating your missing parts and don't forget to give it a good clean, service and oiling.

Enjoy your beauty :)

Very nice. Mine went to the spa yesterday and I'll see her in about 3 months. (She's having a face lift, but no one is supposed to know).

A real beauty and so happy for you!!

It is so cool when things fall into place like that. And naming it after your mother.....heartwarming. I hope you make lots of wonderful new memories. Is there a little girl (or boy) that you can teach to sew on it?

So very happy for you. The treadle my step daughter had was too far gone to repair, but DH was able to salvage the cabinet and retrofitted it for my brother.

I learned to sew on a treadle and still want to use the foot peddle even though it isn't attached to anything.....

Congratulations she looks beautiful :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lightwriter

Just yesterday on one of the threads about treadle sewing machines I made the statement I wanted one but hated estate sales and craigslist is just not useful in my rural environment, so I would have to literally trip across a treadle to find one to purchase.

SO.....

I was driving through my small town today when I spotted a sewing machine out on the sidewalk in front of a new vintage shop. I took a second look and realized it was a treadle. I parked, went back, and looked at it. The cabinet was in good shape and the decals of the machine were excellent. It is a Model 66. The slide plate is gone and the belt is shot, so could not tell if it would actually sew. Mechanisms did seem to move freely when I moved the hand wheel. They were asking too much, but I finally haggled it down some. Still wasn't completely happy with the price, came home and did more research. Finally decided that for the condition and the fact I didn't have to waste gas going to hunt one down that it was worth it.

SO..

she will be delivered tomorrow. I learned to sew on a treadle...Mom traded hers for $20.00 when she bought her Touch and Sew 600E in the early 60's. We had a small house and she had no where to store it. Wish I still had it. At least this one has the same cabinet.

Also, my MIL loaned me her treadle when I first got married. Mom finally bought me an electric (which I learned to hate because it was the devil to sew on and caused me to hate sewing for years....). That treadle disappeared after my MIL passed. Guess the aliens don't have electricity and beamed it up for Scotty to sew on.

SO..

I can't believe it. I finally will have a treadle in the house again. This is a pic from my phone as she stood on the sidewalk. Probably name her after my Mom. Today would have been her 95th birthday. Attachment 107151

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Congratulations!

I'm just kind of thinking your mother led you to this machine. She provided the first treadle you used and since today would be her birthday, I think she was probably right there with you.

Serendipity, You that saying about being in the right place at the right time. Enjoy your new machine, Some things are just meant to be. :)

She is beautiful!

I was thinking the same thing as Bob. I think your mom guided you to see that treadle sitting out there waiting for you to come by.

So excited for you.

Wonderful story! And, she's beUtiful! Have fun withyournew toy...

Lucky You! And how special that you found it on your Mom's birthday....

I want to add one to my collection someday - for those times when the electric may be out for a while. I have never used one, but would like too learn. My friend picked up a Singer 66 electric at Goodwill in a cabinet. She took it to a sewing machine man who promptly advised her to toss it - claimed they were no good. Fortunately she didn't take his advice. I just heard Bonnie Hunter say on quiltcam (or was it on her blog tonight) that the 66's were a great model! I told Susan if she ever decided to part with it - toss it my way ;-)

What a nice fall you took! I think her name could be Destiny also; what a nice gift from your Mom above on her special birthday. Enjoy your new machine.