Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Vintage Thingies Thursday-Antique Treadle Machine




It's VTT again, I missed last week but I'm back on track for today.
I am fascinated by antique & vintage sewing machines-I have just four of them, so I am not a collector! I learned to sew on my Mum's Singer treadle circa 1940 & always thought that there is something very soothing about treadling. The stitch quality is hard to beat & these old machines sew forever with nothing but a drop or two of oil now & then, no mega dollar technician's tweaking for these babies!
My brother has my Mum's machine in Australia, & I had long wished for one of my own so I was excited when I found a beauty while "junking" during our time in Germany but it did not make the journey back to the USA because DH said it was too heavy to ship-not true but I fell for the line, these days I am much more assertive, lol !
A couple of years ago I saw this treasure on eBay & watched it for many days, no one bid on it so at the last minute I bid the reserve of $99.00 & won! Wow I was excited!
Packing, shipping & insurance cost $145.00 but I figured it was still a good deal it came all the way from Mass.
Imagine my disappointment when the machine was delivered with considerable damage to both the cabinet & the support structure of the machine head the result of completely inadequate packaging. I submitted the insurance request & the machine was "totalled" & I was re-imbursed the full amount of purchase & shipping etc. I was informed by the shipping agent that if the shipping company did not reclaim the damaged machine within two weeks it would be mine to dispose of as I chose!
Obviously, I still have the machine, my handy DH was able to reinforce the damaged areas & when I threaded it, to my delight it sewed perfectly! This was the very first sample of the stitching, I did not even need to adjust the tension dial.

So here it is an early 1900's Light Running New home Parlor Cabinet. In my internet searches I have not seen another quite like it. I love the graceful curved front & the little curved cubbies inside the doors.
Obviously the oak cabinet could use some TLC & I have info. from ISMACS on a solution to use to refurbish the wood this summer.

There is decorative molding on both sides of the cabinet......
and it even came with what looks like the original oil can!

A box full of attachments & the instruction book for each piece.
Tucks, ruffles & binding are just a few of the projects possible with these attachments & look at the beautiful results!


An elegant graduation dress.....
a very decorative negligee.....
a camisole.
I can't help but wonder about the beautiful gowns, children's clothing, undergarments, drapes & other household linens that were were constructed with this machine, I can see that it was well used from the wear marking on the wood & the machine bed.

Can you begin to imagine the time necessary to complete these projects? And before the invention of the home sewing machine it had to be done by hand! Whew! I am tired just thinking about it! Thanks for visiting, now pop on over to Suzanne's blog to see all the others blogging for VTT.
I just had to add this little video-it's still snowing here, a real spring storm today, Button in her snowsuit cavorting in the snow!


22 comments:

Susan said...

It is in great condition for its age. And how fortunate to have the attachments and that oil can. I love old sewing machines. They have such character.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I love the molding on the cabinet and the little oil can. How sweet and how wonderful that you can still use it. I can't even use my new one :)

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I am just breathless looking at this fantastic treasure, and that is what it is, a treasure. How lucky you were able to keep it. What a lose this would have been. Be sure and show us when you get the cabinet redone.

Ulla said...

Your old sewing machine is gorgeous! The cabinet is beautiful, too. I had no idea they had all those attachments back then already. But I have old towels and pillow cases sewn with a very old machine decades ago, and the stiching is like a dream.

bj said...

What a beautiful sewing machine. I've never seen one like it. Thanks for sharing.

Miri said...

What a beautiful machine and the cabinet is just exquisite! This is the first treadle machine I've seen in a cabinet. I love all the attachments! Oooh, you are so lucky!

Jeanne said...

WOW what a Lucky Girl, that is an awesome machine.

ClassyChassy said...

I bet you were devestated when the sewing machine arrived with such damage! So nice that you still have it and can use it now. And - getting reimbursed - that is super! What a gem you have there!

Carolyn said...

I love the old treadle machine. It's sad that it was damaged in shipping, but I'm glad you were able to salvage it. All the accessories and book are a great bonus.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

This is a beauty! I'm in love with your machine! Thanks for sharing such a great piece.

gin said...

very nice. How nice to find all the original complete set.

Coloradolady said...

That is very nice...so aggrivating that the shipper damaged this beauty in shipping, that makes me so mad at lack of concern. I am glad you were able to salvage this wonderful piece. It is a beauty.
~Suzanne

CC said...

I love your machine. I also learned to sew on a Singer treadle..they're so soothing, kinda like a rocking chair.I've never liked my newer Singer nearly so much as I liked the old one.
Happy VTT and have a wonderful weekend.

Barbara Jean said...

Thanks for coming by.
Our waterbed was on the floor, but i built a sort of cubby/shelf unit for underneath it.
It is about 2 feet off the floor, with storage under center, and on shelves around sides.
Lots of room!!! =0)

Your sewing machine is exquisite!
I love the carving, and you have so many extras with it.

Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Bea said...

I have a soft spot for treadle machines. I learned to sew on one as well. Ours was
Singer. Your cabinet is lovely even with the need for TLC.

Amy said...

oooh I LOVE your find! That lovely old sewing machine reminds me of what Laura's mother could have used in the Little House in the big woods series.

mub said...

I love old sewing machines too! I love all the fun attachments that these machines came with too.

Homegrown Family said...

I love your VTT! That machine has some history to it and that is so neat! What fun for you my Aunt has my grandmothers old machines I used to love watching her sew on the oldest one. Which kinda looks like yours but her was electric. But is black and I just loved watching her sew on it.
Erika @ homegrown family

Unknown said...

What a beautiful cabinet the machine was in, too bad it was damaged but now you have one for free!

Unknown said...

Way to work things out and get the prize! That si so great! Neat-o machine-o!

Anonymous said...

i've got a soft spot for old treadle machines too..they're ssoo beautifully detailed and i love the cabinets they're housed in..yours is a little beauty :)

farmlady said...

I love the style of your treadle machine. Very 1940's. I have an old one that was my cousins grandmothers and my cousin didn't want it. Can you believe it. I don't sew much but I love it.

What's with all the snow? I thought you lived in Arizona? Are you in the northern part of the state?