The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Vintage Machines => Topic started by: WildAtlanticWay on May 05, 2022, 09:51:23 AM
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I recently bought this from a local charity shop for €80. It’s in pretty decent condition, and seems to be working ok and it came with a few bits.
It needs a clean so I’m thinking I’ll take it apart to get all the old grease and gunk out and and DH is going to refurb the treadle base for me.
It had a manual inside one of the drawers for a 201, so I wonder what happened to that one?
I’ve taken off the rubber mat on the treadle foot and removed the leather belt so that’s why it looks loose in the photos.
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My Nana had one that looked just like that. Why would you have one now? ( genuine question, not a criticism )
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That's a beauty @WildAtlanticWay
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My Nana had one that looked just like that. Why would you have one now? ( genuine question, not a criticism )
@Lowena Lots of us have vintage machine like this because they sew a straight stitch superbly well, they are really sturdy workhorses - I've sewn through 12 layers of denim on my 201 - and being mechanical they don't have any fancy electronic gizmos to go wrong and they aren't fussy about which thread you choose to use.
Of course these machines were designed and made for sewing traditional woven fabrics, and nowadays something more is required for all the stretchy fabrics around. You definitely need a zig-zag and the other stretch stitches, not to mention the overlocker, for those fabrics. But if you only do P@Q you use a straight stitch for joining the pieces and maybe free motion for the quilting then a vintage machine is all you need.
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Thank you @BrendaP for the very clear explanation. I understand now :)
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@Lowena Also, it is very soothing treadling away on a long seam.
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I can imagine that @toileandtrouble although as Brenda said, I only do p and q so apart from binding I actually do very few "long runs" :D
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@Lowena And don't forget, come the end of the world, those of us with manual machines like this will make a killing as the only people left capable of making new clothes for people :thumb:
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:laughing: :dance: :laughing:
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Great in a power cut! And in these times of huge electric bills it’s a bit of a bonus even if it doesn’t save too much. Every little helps as Tesco says. :laughing:
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Yes, the rhythmic motion when ‘treadling’ is really quite hypnotic and soothing.
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That looks to be in pretty good shape @WildAtlanticWay
When my parents bought an older house back in the late 60s there was one of those machines w/cabinet in the foyer. Unfortunately, they got rid of it for some reason. I always regretted that I didn’t ask them to let me keep it. I remember it as being in good shape though I could be wrong.
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@WildAtlanticWay always nice to see another oldie :vintage: All I use (excluding overlocker) is the older machines :thumb:
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Looks lovely. We have t'OH's mum's old Mundlos treadle - I wish I had room to have it where I could use it.
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Thank you for all your lovely comments.
I wasn’t really expecting anyone to be particularly interested in my acquisition so I’m chuffed that several of you have commented on my thread and given me further guidance and made me feel that buying it wasn’t a silly decision.
I’ve also received an incredibly thoughtful email from one TSP-er with lots of valuable tips and advice and I’m especially humbled given how otherwise occupied they are with stuff at the moment. :hug:
I’ll keep you all posted on my progress. :thumb:
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I love your treadle and 99 @WildAtlanticWay, I have 2 treadles, a Singer 66 and a Vesta. Good luck, I am sure you will have lots of fun with it.
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I have two treadles, one at the pub and one here. Sadly both need new belts but one day....... (pre apocalypse hopefully!! :laughing:)
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What a beautiful machine, it looks so like the one I started sewing on. Is that the original belt still on it?
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Forgot to add that I learned to use sewing machines with a model 99-13 when I was 10 yr old. Looks like you have the 99-31 which I have one waiting to be put back into action. I also have a first model 99K with hand crank from 1922.
Look forward to seeing any updates and any work produced :thumb:
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Lovely machine @WildAtlanticWay ! I love the sound of a 99k, such a lovely relaxing sound. I have one which I keep at work (amongst many others), but maybe I should think about bringing it home to give it a run...
I bought mine about 10/15 years ago - two machines for £25! they hadn't got the key to open the lid so I had no idea what I was buying...
Jessie
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@Surest1tch
It might well be the original belt but there’s no known history… although, there was a business card inside the instruction booklet for a nearby B&B that’s less than 2 miles from where I live. According to my local friend, they’ve been there years so it might have belonged to them. I might give them a call and ask.
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Just for a laugh. Guess how much they’re asking for this machine.. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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I couldn't even guess @WildAtlanticWay ! :laughing:
The other machine I got with my BOGOF offer was a Black Cast Iron 201k!
Jessie
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That is a 201g, highly sought after so higher in price than a 99k. Original electrics though but I have seen them for more than £100
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@Bumblebuncher
@b15erk
Yes, they are highly prized but have you seen them advertised for €550?
Yep, that’s what she’s got it up for. :laughing:
As I said, they sometimes ask for silly money over here. :rolleyes:
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I have two treadles, one at the pub and one here. Sadly both need new belts but one day....... (pre apocalypse hopefully!! :laughing:)
I bought a pack of 2 leather belts via Amazon.
Sadly, I can’t buy direct from U.K. shops as few will post to Ireland now and they don’t want the faff of completing customs paperwork. :(
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@WildAtlanticWay Well you got me there! Bad guesstimate :laughing:
Laughable price.
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I have two treadles, one at the pub and one here. Sadly both need new belts but one day....... (pre apocalypse hopefully!! :laughing:)
OMG… do you really have a machine at the pub? Do you sew there? I’m so jealous!
There is a YouTube video by Fiddlybits… she is quilting on a handcrank in the cab of her combine while plowing… or planting. I was so jealous of this, until thinking about sewing, treadling, company AND a pint!
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OMG… do you really have a machine at the pub? Do you sew there? I’m so jealous
We had several machines in the pub however we retired in August and no longer have the pub so the machines went to a charity that refurbish them and send them to Africa. I still have one treadle at home though :)
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Noice!
3/4 treadles are hard to come by in the States (I've only seen a few in my life, and I hang out with people powered aficionados) and it looks to be in wonderful shape. Nice thing about these, they can usually be refurbished to working.
@Lowena I would have an industrial treadle at my alteration shop if I could find one. As it is, I'm stuck with the Juki 5500 one. I have one at my cabin (and a handcrank) because I am off grid, but I work with them AND charge a lot of money to do so.
My 66 makes bespoke shirts. It is the only one I own with a 20spi (known as a tailor stitch according to my grandma and the tailor I apprenticed with). Because of the nature of those shirts, the slower speed is helpful (although I can get that puppy going let me tell you)
My Davis even feed is a pre-walking foot machine. Fussy, baby hems and crap that won't sew well will sew on this. I sew about a quarter of the bridal alts on that...and it is from 1888.
My Singer 15 parlor is in my office. I work on it to do lace work, veils, power mesh (install and alterations) and anything needing super concentrated detail work. The stitch is finer and the slower speed doesn't damage very fine and fragile fabrics.
All of these machines are in use in a modern day business and all of them do something a modern machine cannot do in some way. Granted, I do this from a garment maker's perspective, but there is very valid reasons these machines are still in use a hundred years or so on.
Also: I use sad irons, Victorian fluting irons and a steam box I got the plans for from 1850 for pleats so my opinion may be a leeeeeeetle skewed.