isn’t she a beauty?

Proudly presenting: my “new” old sewing machine! When my gran said I could have hers as my yellow 70s machine is broken right now I thought she meant an electric model from the 50s (which would have been awesome as well). But no, she meant this beauty:

She herself got it from her gran. I think it may date back to the 1930s or 40s but I really have no idea (EDIT: after hours of internet research I found out it dates back to 1929!!).
I’m so in love with it, I can’t stop looking at it! Sadly it comes without a manual or extra needles/bobbin/feet, but with the help of some lovely people on a german sewing board and some youtube videos I was able to figure out how to oil it, thread it and adjust tension and stitch length and…it works like a dream! I just really have to practise using the treadle.

It is in pristine condition and was obviously well cared for all its life. I know my gran probably hasn’t used it in 20 years but it was dusted and polished every week nevertheless 😉
Excuse me now, while I go drool over it some more.

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7 thoughts on “isn’t she a beauty?

    1. tidytipsy

      Thank you 🙂 I know, I still can’t believe my luck and I love that it’s been in the family forever! I’m busy practising with it. I LOVE treadling, once you get into the rhythm it’s soo much fun! I haven’t yet managed a straight seam though 😉

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  1. Raven

    wow, saw your picture on flickr
    seriously awesome machine! I love the base A LOT!

    I’m hoping my dad gets me a treadle for my birthday in a few weeks
    Had you sewn with it before??
    So so so cool!

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    1. tidytipsy

      Thank you Raven! I love the base too, I’m really into all-wood furniture especially in that colour 🙂 I don’t think that was the original finish though, it’s probably been sanded and refinished some time ago.
      I hadn’t sewn on a treadle before but I am seriously suprised by how easy it is! I hardly needed practise to get into it.
      I have way more trouble getting tension right etc. But then I don’t have much experience with sewing machines in general, up to last year I only sewed by hand. My boyfriend also redid the whole stitch length adjustion part (don’t ask me how he did it but he had lots of fun figuring out the mechanism and screwing parts on and off).
      Fingers crossed your dad gets you a treadle for your birthday!! They are really cool and besides being vintage and pretty they are the best way to save on electricity :)) (Weirdly, I get a kick out of that too :D)

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  2. Pingback: dressmaking – my first dress « tidytipsy.photography

  3. Pingback: how to sew on a vintage treadle – part 1: oiling « tidytipsy.photography

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