My sewing machine family that is.   While wandering around an antique store on our trip to Connecticut we came across this sweet little girl.

Now I have come across treadle tables like this before so when my dear hubby called me over to where he was to show me I figured it was just another table but in pretty good condition.  What I was looking for was one that actually still had the machine in it.   Well, I was quite surprised ….. and happy….. when he told me that he checked and the machine was in there.   Oh, be still my heart!  So, we carefully opened it up and got the machine out into the light of day.   Judging from the newspapers stuffed into the cabinet that were dated 1978, the machine was untouched for a number of decades and was a little bit dusty and one of the pins that held it to the cabinet was undone but not missing so that was easily remedied.  The bobbin was there, the pedal easily moved,  the belt was in the cabinet but, of course, it would be unusable.   I took a picture of the serial number on the machine and over the next couple of days of our trip I did some research as to what year it was manufactured, model and availability of parts and information on being able to get this beauty back into working order.   I found out it was manufactured in 1910 and it is a Model 66 — and a redeye which I actually knew as soon as we raised her out of her cozy cabinet.    Parts are available and there are many You Tube videos, blogs and vintage sewing machine groups out there sharing information and support.   So, I decided that, yes, we would stop on our way home and bring her home with us.

The cabinet and machine  have gotten a bit of a preliminary cleaning and I will be working on getting the machine oiled up and gently getting the gears to move smoothly.   The cabinet needs a bit of work but overall, it is in good condition.  All four drawers are there and slide in and out nicely.  The only thing missing is the knob on the tilt out drawer.  And there is no rusting on the metal works.

I am so happy to have finally found what I have been looking for.  She does not have a name as yet.  I am sure the perfect one will come to me as I work on her.   So I now have machines spanning from a non-electric 1910 to a modern embroidery machine named Minnie that uses  a flashdrive to stitch out intricate designs with just the push of a button.

The rest of the members of my sewing machine family:

Emma – a 1949 Featherweight

Emma- 1949 Featherweight,    Bertha –  White – date unknown,   Anna – 1950’s Singer          as well as a few more machines that aren’t pictured …… Beau, a 1990’s Brother machine,  a Dressmaker Model 201,  and Phoebe my Pfaff and  main sewing machine…..  are happy to welcome the new addition to the family.

I am looking forward to learning about the workings of a treadle and learning how to sew with it.  I am hearing that they have a wonderful, straight stitch.

So wish me luck on my treadle adventure.  If anyone has one and you have any words of wisdom,  I would welcome any advise.

Be well.  See you soon.

Ginny