Katy's old White Treadle Sewing Machine
View of the pretty wood work on the side=panel / drawers.
The machine head (looks very similar to my National from about the same time period.)
1888-1889 White Treadle - shuttle style
Katy's treadle even had "papers."
My friend Katy is moving and starting a new life, complete with a family and children. She won't have room for an old treadle, so she gave it to me because she knew I'd give it a good home. ;-)
We brought it home this week. The wooden case is beautiful! The machine and treadle machanism could use a little tender-loving care. A thorough cleaning and oiling, and it should be good as new! That's the wonderful thing about these old machines--a little oil, a little grease, a little liquid wrench, and the run like new again! I think the only thing it needs is a belt, and I can make another treadle potholder!
Another project!
The drawers full of stuff have always fascinated me, too -- threads, buttons, bobbins, lace, a box full of attachments no one knows how to use. Years and years of history here!
Thank you, Katy! You can visit it anytime.
7 comments:
I found your site while researching refurbishing my White treadle sewing machine. Your machine is beautiful and looks very much like mine. I am missing a few wood appliques on the drawers and one side of the decorative trim on the front is missing. I was hoping you might know where I might find replacements for these???? I know it is a longshot but I thought I would ask.
Thank you!
My husband is finally restoring my White treadle machine but I know it is newer. The last patent date is June 3, 1913. Do you know where to find needles and belts for these machines? I really want to be able to use this cool machine.
Congratulations on your find, and restoration journey! The leather belts are much easier to come by these days ... You can still get (new) leather belts at different sewing machine repair shops and suppliers. You might even try your own local sewing machine repair shop. They come a standard length, but they give you instructions for cutting it and fitting it to your particular treadle machine. The old needles are much harder to come by these days. If you put your questions out on the Treadle On List, or check around their web pages, they'll have lists of suppliers for you. They are also very willing to share info. I know someone there (Damascus Annie?) gave me instructions for using modern needles in the old treadle sewing machines. Because the old needles were a touch longer, I had to drop the needle down in the shank a bit to make up for the lost legth on the new needles. If I snugged a modern needle into the shank all the way, it was too short to catch the thread in the bobbin shuttle underneath (if that makes any sense ...) But there are modern work-arounds if you are determined to work your treadle. Here are some online communities that will be more than willing to help you get treadling ... ISMACS - International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society
They offer a listserv where you can describe what you've got, and the knowledgeable members will offer their best guess as to what it is.
Needlebar - Another group of people interested in researching the history of old-timey sewing machines. The offer many pictures to help you identify what you might have.
Treadle On - Is a wonderfully informative website and society that actually promotes the use of antique treadle sewing machines, as opposed to just collecting them for decoration Look around on these pages. I know they have listings for vendors and suppliers. I can't quite remember who I bought my belt from. I think it was under $10, may $13 with postage.
Do you know the age of it. I bought a cabinet exactly like this one for $10. A steal at any price, but the woodwork on he drawers is in perfect shape. Would like to know how old it is.
I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed one of your photos here, and I gave you credit on my blog post. A local person put the cast-iron supports to 7 White treadle sewing machines into the arch over the entry to his property, and I think it's completely charming. I hope you will too. If you want me to remove the photo and un-link you, I'll be happy to oblige. I just wanted my readers to be able to see the original product intact and in very beautiful condition.
I'm a fiber arts fanatic, too, and your machine is absolutely beautiful.
Cheers!
http://phlegmfatale.blogspot.com/2011/08/waste-not.html
I love your new white too much! Lucky you with papers and all! I long to one day get a beautiful White too! I bet you'll enjoy it, it's beautiful.
I have one just like this I need to sell. Is there a place I should do that?
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