What to Consider When Buying a Treadle Sewing Machine - Singer 66

I'm sharing a video about my Singer 66 treadle sewing machine. If you're not familiar with a treadle sewing machine, they are the old vintage ones that don't have a motor and are foot powered.

I often hear people say that a treadle machine doesn't work, when often there is only one small, but significant, part that would enable the machine to run: the belt. Most of the belts on these machines were made of leather, which, over time, would wear, become brittle and eventually break, rendering the machine "unuseable". This is a simple and inexpensive fix as new treadle belts can be purchased in either leather or rubber, for just a few dollars. Put on the new belt and you're ready to start stitching.

To learn about my Singer 66, its treadle mechanism and what to look for when buying this type of machine, watch the video below. 

 If you are thinking of buying a vintage sewing machine you may be interested in my eBooks for buyers (click here). If you are thinking of selling your machine you may be interested in my How To Sell a Vintage Sewing Machine eBook.

Do you have a treadle sewing machine in your studio? Let me know all about it in the comments below,

Creatively,

Singer 66 Back Clamping Attachments

I'm going back in time to the early 1900's, which is when my Singer 66 Red Eye was created. I'm loving working with my treadle and appreciate how soothing it is when I'm treadling (is there such a word?). 

While I never really notice much difference in the attachments on my vintage Singer sewing machines, there is a definite and obvious difference in those on my Singer 66. To find out what I'm talking about, watch the video below. 

If you are thinking of buying a vintage sewing machine you may be interested in my eBooks for buyers (click here). If you are thinking of selling your machine you may be interested in my How To Sell a Vintage Sewing Machine eBook.

Creatively,

Piecing with the Singer 66 Red Eye Sewing Machine

I pulled out one of my "to do" projects and thought that I had better get it done! I had set these fabrics aside about two years ago to create a project from Turning Twenty - Simply Sashed and that was about as far as I got with this pattern. What got me finally started on making this quilt? My Singer 66 Red Eye treadle sewing machine. Watch my Youtube video on how I acquired this machine.

A start on the blocks

When I bought this machine, I didn't know how to treadle and it does take a bit of practise. What could be a better way to learn how to operate it than to do lots of piecing?

Just a bit more piecing to be done - ie. lots more piecing to be done!

I'm making the lap size of Sew Easy! in the book and I'm enjoying the process so far.

Using the Singer 66 means making a few adjustments. This machine doesn't have a light on it, which isn't too much of a problem as I have it set up in front of my livingroom window. I do have to use a light to stitch in the evening. 

The Singer 66 doesn't have a marked needle plate, so sewing with a 1/4" seam allowance could be a bit of a guesstimate - never a good idea when piecing. I just measured from the needle over and used a strip of painter's tape as a guide. Some vintage machines come with a seam guide, but as I don't have one for this machine, I am making do.

Making sure I get that 1/4" seam allowance right on

While I find treadling quite relaxing and definitely quieter than using a machine with an electric motor, I have to remember to start turning the hand wheel towards me first before getting my feet in on the action. This is a bit of an adjustment as I'm used to using my foot to get the machine going. Of course if I forget and just start treadling, invariably the hand wheel starts to go backwards, rather than forwards, and this snaps the upper thread. I really don't like rethreading the needle so I'm quickly learning to think before I start stitching.

I love treadling!

I've been making good process on this project and enjoying my treadling.

I really like these fabrics and they're coming together well.

Now to do a bit of pressing before the next step.

Of course I always have help when I'm at the machine - whether it's foot power or electric power. Sometimes the help can be more of a hindrance, but it's always nice to have company.

Better move that tail, Charlie, or it might be part of the quilt!

That's a better spot for you, Charlie...

but stay out of the drawers!

I even had the opportunity to wind a bobbin on the machine which is something I hadn't yet attempted. I used a reproduction bobbin and it worked fine. I think the bobbin winders on these vintage machines may work even better than a modern one.

Glad that my Singer 66 Red Eye is performing as well as I'd hoped it would.

I still have some more work to do to finish the top, but my treading skills have definitely improved. I'm looking forward to more stitching and piecing on my Singer 66 Red Eye sewing machine.

If you are thinking of buying a vintage sewing machine you may be interested in my eBooks for buyers (click here). If you are thinking of selling your machine you may be interested in my How To Sell a Vintage Sewing Machine eBook.

Creatively,

P.S. I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small compensation if you purchase an item by clicking through the link in this blogpost. Thanks, this allows me to keep creating blogposts and video tutorials for you.

Off the Power Grid and into "Me" Power

My most recent vintage sewing machine acquisition was a bit of a departure for me. I opted for a non-electric vintage sewing machine. If you know vintage machines, you know this means either a hand crank or a treadle sewing machine. Guess which one I got? Yes, I purchased a treadle sewing machine. 

The cabinet for my Singer 66 red eye sewing machine - before clean up (white spots are no longer there!)

I have been looking for a nice treadle cabinet and a Singer 66 Red Eye (or Red Head) sewing machine for some time and lucky for me, I found them both in one package! Even better, I didn't have to travel hours (as I've been know to do) to get this machine and its cabinet as they were right here in Calgary.

Slightly worn decals on the sewing machine

When I went to check out the machine and cabinet, I was more interested in the cabinet than the machine as I'd read that it can be harder to get a nice treadle cabinet. Machines can be switched in and out of cabinets, but these older cabinets can be very hard to find in my part of the country.

Drawer detail

When I got to the seller's house, I dealt with her husband as she wasn't at home. I managed to talk him down as to the price and hopefully didn't get him in too much trouble with his wife for doing so! He kindly helped us to remove the machine from the cabinet and helped load it into the Zoocrew (that would be our Honda Odyssey van). 

If you check the serial number, you'll see that this machine is at least 100 years old!

If you don't know about this model, let me tell you a bit about it.

According to the Singer website:

"The Singer 66 or 66K was a heavy duty domestic sewing machines that set the standard for several decades, and indeed the Class 66 bobbin and the 66 style rotary hook arrangement are still in use on many ‘new’ sewing machines today. Because the 66K’s were full size machines weighing around 30lbs, they were usually sold in treadle tables or cabinets, although some hand cranked models, and later on some electric models, were also sold. The 66K first introduced the horizontally mounted rotary hook arrangement with drop in bobbins. A system which still survives in so many sewing machines from all makers today."

Getting ready to clean the machine.

The earlier models had back clamping attachments, which is what mine has (it was made around 1915). These can be changed so they can handle vintage side clamping attachments, but I haven't done anything about that yet. 

Back clamping attachments (feet) on this model of the Singer 66

The advantage of the 66 model is the large harp space - which makes it great for quilting. The drawback is that there is no reverse and the feed dogs don't drop, although these can be covered with a plate for free motion quilting or darning (but who wants to darn clothing anyway?!).

The 66 Red Eye model of the Singer 66 sewing machine was produced in America and is quite colourful.

The decals on my particular machine are not in as good a shape as some that I've seen, as you can tell from the photos. Even with lots of cleaning, you can see that the decals just aren't there anymore. Sometimes they may be hiding under a layer of grime, but this wasn't the case with my machine.

The decals on my machine are worn, but everything else on the machine seems great.

On the plus side, the chrome parts are in very good shape with no rust. 

Face plate is beautifully ornate - but needs cleaning!

You can see the difference between one of the chrome plates that is only partially cleaned. Initially it was very dark, but with lots of elbow grease and metal cleaner, the silver began to show through. It's always amazing to me how these machines clean up with simple cleaners, time and some scrubbing. 

See how dirty the chrome pieces were on this machine when I got it? Definitely need some elbow grease on these parts!

One of the chrome pieces partially cleaner - note the unclean, dark areas.

Still needs a bit more cleaning. I had to use a toothpick to get all the black grime out.

The cabinet had a few water marks on the top, but I easily removed these with Howard Products' Restor-A-Finish and steel wool. I then protected the cabinet with their Feed-N-Wax product. 

If you'd like to see a bit more about my particular Singer 66 sewing machine, please watch the video below or view it on my Youtube channel.

Subscribe to my course, The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines (at a 20% discount) to see how I clean up and repair my vintage machines. I'll walk you through all the steps of evaluating, acquiring and rejuvenating vintage sewing machines.

Now that I've got my first treadle sewing machine, I guess I'll be able to treadle any time, even if the electricity is off - after I learn how to treadle, that is!

Do you have a treadle sewing machine or other vintage machine? Send me your photos of them and remember to check out The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines on Curious.

Creatively,