An antique treadle machine was always something I thought I could never afford, so kind of forgot about it. Until I came across one in a "flukey" kind of way that I could buy for $40...are you kidding me?!?
Still I didn't think I should get it, until my friend insisted: "You are buying that machine and I'm taking you today to get it"! Gotta love friends who know exactly what to do to help you reach your dreams...and she's not even a quilter!
So I bought it and here it is in my dining room...isn't it gorgeous?!? 
The sellers were an elderly couple, 84 years old, who couldn't remember anything about when they bought it or where they found it. They tried to figure it out in an adorable discussion, prompting each other's memories and piecing together memory fragments, and concluded that they must have bought it at an antique mall "many" years ago. The husband was a shoemaker and he knew how to run the machine fairly well, except he couldn't remember how the bobbin worked.
I have been researching obsessively on the internet to learn as much as possible about my new/old machine and I think it is a Sphinx Egyptian Singer Model 127. In the Singer literature this machine is called "the woman's faithful friend the world over"...LOL!
According to this website, all "L models" were made in 1901. Doesn't she look great for being 111 years old?!
The outer wood cabinet needs some work (don't we all?!?) but the five drawers are in good shape and just look at the pretty wood work on the side of the drawers.
The decals are in pristine condition and I can't stop studying them! Look at the details around the side of the needle...so pretty. I'm thinking that there haven't been very many quilt blocks sliding across this plate...until it met me!
This is the decal on the bottom of the harp area...a sphinx in great condition.
Unfortunately I think that maybe means that this machine was not used very often, so I sure hope it is still in good enough condition to run smoothly. I look forward to sharing my adventures with getting my new/old machine working and learning this new skill of treadling!
Thanks to Bonnie Hunter for re-sparking my interest in this dormant dream of mine with her quilt cam showing her own treadle machine. And check out the new/old treadle Bonnie was gifted this past weekend....what a beauty!
Sometimes we forget that dreams can come true and I will be eternally grateful for this reminder every time I look at my new/old sewing machine!
I came across my treadle in a fluke too, pd $25 for it, but most of the decals are worn off. You can get your info on treadleon.net, they also have an email group where you can ask all of your questions. If you are on FB there is a group called mad for treadles, which is another great place for info. I'm still practicing on getting the rhythm going on the pedal, but I have not had much time. I have pinned a lot of great sites and videos too.http://pinterest.com/missyshay/treadle-and-vintage-sewing-machines/ I hope this helps! Feel free to ask me any questions you have, I'm still learning too! Your machine is beautiful by the way!
ReplyDeleteOh would love to have that!! My grandmother had one very much like yours, Dad sold it to an antique dealer...grrrrrrrrrrrr. I wish I had known then that i would be sewing and quilting now!!
ReplyDeleteoh you lucky, lucky girl. that is a simply wonderful purchase. i am sure you must smile every time you look at it. i am 61 and can still remember my grandmother's feet on her treadle when i was a small child.
ReplyDeleteMy Gran had one too! Though I don't remember it being so beautifully decorated as your new/old machine. I'm so glad your dream came true... dreams have a way of doing that when you least expect it. Treadle on......enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and Yippie! Congratulations. It does look great. It looks… well it looks exceptionally fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI love old sewing machines. I no longer have any of my treadle machines as we just don't have room for them. I think I had four or five. One particularly decorative one in a beautiful cabinet that I hated to let go.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I watched Bonnie sewing on her treadle during quiltcam time and was amazed at how much patience she had. Your new machine is a real beauty. Enjoy getting to know her.
ReplyDeleteI am so very happy for you!! Congratulations, and enjoy! We found our treadle machine in Telluride, Colorado...love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a deal! I told my husband I wanted a treadle and within three months I had two. Both cabinets need some work...and I'm sure the machines do too. Thankfully there is a local person who works on them...I just haven't gotten them to him yet...maybe this summer.
ReplyDeleteShe's a beaut! A great find... how nice of your non-quilter friend to convince you to give it a new home! Have fun with her!
ReplyDeleteOh what a great find! I got one a few months ago too and was SO excited!!! I haven't been able to play with it much but hopefully things will slow down a little now that summer's over and the quiet of fall is almost here :*) It will be fun seeing your adventures on her! Will you give her a name? Mine told me her name is Miss Sophie.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL sewing machine! Good find!
ReplyDeleteOh she's a beauty, Kathy. I'm so glad you had a dream come true - thank goodness your friend insisted. LOL
ReplyDeleteI have my grandmother's treadle and wish it was in condition to be used. I learned to sew on that machine and had dreams to sew on it again. The rhythm of a treadle is wonderful. I can only dream because I don't believe it'll ever be in working condition again. Sigh!
I sewed my first clothes on a treadle until an aunt gifted me with her electric machine. My niece now has the treadle machine and it still works just fine. Maybe one day, I'll take it home and sew a quilt with it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beauty!
You lucky, lucky girl! I have wanted a treadle for decades, but never seriously pursued it. I'm glad your friend persuaded you--how sad if this opportunity had slipped away!
ReplyDeleteI sewed my first seam on a treadle more than 60 years ago sitting in my Aunt Sissy's lap - sweet memory. I have wanted one all my life. Good for you!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful find. I have a few old machines and I am working at getting them all running. I am to get my grandmother Manuel's machine - at mom' s house. I remember seeing grandmother using her's.
ReplyDeleteOMG how lucky are you you got a steal!
ReplyDeletethat cabinet is worth more then $40.!!!
have fun!
kathie
Not that you would, but I'm guessing you could turn that machine around for a quick profit, what a steal! I'm green with envy. It's lovely and found the perfect home I think!
ReplyDeleteShe's lovely - I just bet you are thrilled. It is wonderful when dreams come true! I have the same model but mine is a bit younger -she was born in 1920. I have the manual and a wooden puzzle box for the attachments. I haven't used mine yet. I also have a 31K15 that apparently can be used for quilting. They both belonged to my MIL and my husband has promised he will get them cleaned up for me at some point.
ReplyDeleteKathy its a beautiful Treadle machine. Its in really good shape. I managed to get one a few years ago. I just love it!! thanks for the link to Bonnies' Her's is wonderful too! Have fun quilting on her!!
ReplyDeleteI love it... so pretty. Now when the lights go out, you can still sew! Talk about green! Reusing rather than tossing it into the landfill. And for only $40, rediculous! And in a cabinet. I have my mom's Singer (401 in a cabinet) from the early 60s, and I love it. Machine repairman said it was a pleasure to work on it... It would outlast all the other (newer) machines in his shop. (My hubby took it in for a professional cleaning, oil and lube job when I first got it from my sister.) I'm really happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHugs
What a beautiful machine!! And a great deal too!!
ReplyDeleteOh my that is amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteLucky you!
Cheers
Linda
LUCKY YOU!!! I saw one of these today on the Shop Hop I went on. AMAZING decals! Now I know two people who have one. Congrats on the great find, that friend is a KEEPER!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing machine! Now you have a back up machine. Sounds like you have very smart friends to make you go get that. Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteLovely old machine. Singers were the best weren't they? She's sue a pretty little thing. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! That is great that you found that machine for $40!! Your cabinet is beautiful too. I just got my first treadle a week or so ago and it is a Singer 27 and a 1906. Your cabinet and decals are is so much better condition than mine and yours is older, but I still love mine. I've really enjoyed playing with it too. I'm hoping that after I finish piecing my current quilt on my Featherweight that I can piece one on my treadle.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and Blessed day
Kristie
Lovely! I have a 1889 Singer 27VSII, but, it has lost lots of it's decals and paint. One of these days I'll mess with the tension and get her sewing. Warning, you can't have just one vintage machine. They need lots of friends around. Are you in the Wicked blog hop? I am, my day is Oct 24th. I've been making all my blocks on my hand crank.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an excellent find. You are one "Lucky Ducky" and for only $40.00. I've been on the hunt for a good treadle at a reasonable price for over a year. Congratulations, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have one very similar. How would I go about finding out how much it is worth? And how can I sell it? It belonged to my grandmother and no one in our family sews.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky girl! Have fun!
ReplyDelete