12 steps to sewing

I suspect my wife and I may be in need of a 12 Step Program. She needs it for an addiction, and I  need it for being codependent.  She already has, at least, 5 sewing machines ..though she would insist some are not all sewing machines. The fact is they look and act like sewing machines to me ( I suppose she might say something similar about my saws).  Anyway, today we are traveling  to the Big City so she can get a treadle type machine.

I volunteer to take the 12 steps it would take to remove the sewing machines AND the saws from your house  

I always need more of both!

:D

This is something that I need to get better at. So sick of throwing away good work clothes because of tears that I could fix myself.

If I did not know how to sew I would buy some needles and thread, learn to make a knot and try sewing on an old rag or something.

Here is an e-book that will help you learn to mend:

https://permies.com/wiki/241811/ebooks/Practical-Mending-Kate-Downham-ebook

Here are some threads about mending:

https://permies.com/t/200/54406/sewing/mending-clothes

https://permies.com/t/176136/Mending-advice-sought

My wife is trying to kill me. That machine weighs a ton! I will post pictures once I figure out how to unload it.

John F Dean wrote:My wife is trying to kill me. That machine weighs a ton! I will post pictures once I figure out how to unload it.

Yup! Those things are cast iron. I have one from 1913 and a dual electric/treadle from '53. I'm not sure I could tell you which is heavier. I can tell you that I don't remember moving them upstairs. Must be like childbirth; you forget the pain, once you have them - because you love them!

As promised.   Not sure of the name Lady Faye, Lady Fayre, Lady Faype?

Anyway, I am not finding the name on the net.

They can often be found on the web, via serial numbers.

John F Dean wrote:As promised.   Not sure of the name Lady Faye, Lady Fayre, Lady Faype?

A thing of beauty, lady fayre would be my reading. Is it functional?

It is supposed to be functional. Right now it sits on my back deck. The last time I checked the temp was 8 F. That was in the morning. I am sure it is warmer now.

She's beautiful. I'm sure it's love at first sight! I do hope she works.

I have never used a treadle machine. My oldest sister has one, but I'm not sure she's tried to use it.

If people went back to sewing and mending their own clothing, I think they would appreciate them more, and take better care of them!

We had a treadle machine when I was a child, I'm not sure my mum still has it. The advantage over a handle manual one is that you have both hands free for managing the fabric.
I don't suppose the information manual is neccessary, but it is nice to know about the history of a vintage machine like that. I'm just fnding lady fayre pottery information on a duck duck search some possibly useful results from Brave, but still nothing specific...

history of the treadle machine suggests internatinal sewing machine collectors society for information but they don't list fayre lady as a manufacturer, it could be a model name perhaps?
This bookon etsy might be useful.....
treadle on has an email list that may be helpful for general vintage sewing machine enquiries (and you never know....)

When we picked it up, we were handed a small bag of parts and missing veneer.  I have the veneer glued  back on.

Oh BEAUTIFUL!!  
For future reference, the way to move a treadle like that is to take the machine off the base, and if the base has drawers, hat whole unit comes off too.
Will save your back!! :D

My sister got two LOVELY old machines for Christmas. I'll try to post pics at some point in the thread about showing off sewing machines :D

Nice, it has the bobbin winder.
Probably the bullet type bobbin right?
Instead of the round one?
I like the round one but have never tried the bullet type.
Which is better?

Hi Craig,

No idea what it has. The machine sits in the sewing room.  … along with the other machines.  I have not looked at the parts that came with it.  My wife is trying to trace its lineage.  She figures 1924… but that is a long way from a firm date.

I did sew on a treadle singer at some point in my childhood.  I thought it was great…  In the 50s people were getting rid of so many classic machines for the modern new things, for the industrialized post war experience….

A treadle on a sewing machine can be used as a power source for any number of other things.

When I read the original post I was fooled.  I thought it was a case of not understanding all the various kinds of sewing done by different machines🤣.  Was tempted to step in and “splain” there are sergers and hemmers, “baby lock, blind stitch and zig zags  and so on.

I wonder if gathering up sewing machines is similar to growing heritage breeds of plants and animals, to bring them through this crazy fit of destruction and deliver them to a future where they may be appreciated once again…. In case just wanting beautiful old things was not justification enough.

Or, like me, after I finished with academia, I have gathered up “old” skills such as cheesemaking, spinning, weaving, dyeing, gardening including propagation and seed saving, culling livestock to develop a landrace perfect for my set up… herbal remedies and preparations.

A rough unprotected childhood of being exploited enhanced my desires to not be dependent on anyone for anything!  And then Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring.  After I read it I was convinced that one dare not rely on experts.  It was then I decided to study biology.  I got a basic explanation of how things work, what all needs to be considered, etc, and I have been questioning just about everything anyone says ever since!😊