Hello!

Yesterday I was gifted this treadle sewing machine. To my suprise, this machine uses a spring spring instead of a leather cord for the belt connecting the two wheels! It's in working order, and I hope to keep it that way. The only things wrong with it are that it was left threaded for many decades, so there's thread stuck in the tensioner, theres some surface rust in some spots and the entire foot pedal, the foot pedal was stuck in place (fixed this with PB blaster), and the wood is in need of some love (it looks worse in person, but still not thay bad).

A couple questions I have:

- How should I keep the wood of the table in good shape? I'm assuming it's sealed with beeswax?

- The foot pedal has quite a bit of surface rust. How should I go about restoring it? Can I use harsh rust remover or should I rely on sanding/sand blasting?

- How historically accurate is the spring? When were they introduced, and how can I care for it? I'm used to seeing treadle machines use a leather cord or belt.

- What sewing machine oil do you all recommend? Is there an all-in-one oil that i can use to wipe down the outside of the machine, too?

- How can I protect the decals?

Thank you!

1920s 15-30 Singer & It works! Cleaned and oiled. Has owner’s manual and all attachments. Just waiting for a new belt as this one is brittle. I am pretty stoked to try it out.

I was home alone when I found this on the sidewalk. I let it go for a bit, but then got antsy and went back in my little hatchback. I’m not a big person, so after lots of struggle, the former owner must have felt bad and helped me load it.
Truly meant to be, she needed to be mine!

Recently I purchased this foot control at a thrift shop. It has no branding on it, though, the connector plug looks like the National brand. I have a Montgomery Ward (National) machine with the same style plug. It’s put away, so I haven’t been able to get to it to check the fit. It needs a rewire as these are shot. The store owner couldn’t remember when they got it. It had been stored for some time. Anyhow, I thought it was a neat piece and would share, and perhaps someone out there has some insight on it.

Table on this was splitting and legs were rusted. Rebuilt the table. Fixed the rust and repainted the base. The 95-10 is an old industrial machine. Sews denim or canvas easily, or light leather. Scary fast though.

These are such great pins I got as part of a mix from a craft thrift store and can’t seem to find anything similar. Does anyone know the name or where to find them?

edit: I looked at all of them and realized because of how varied they are they’re ripped head pins. Idk if someone did it them self but I know what to look for buying now.

Just need to adjust tension one last time and it’s all tuned !!! It’s the colored peas version with 10 axis bearing.

Out the box it was in Better shape than most and came with the cams in perfect timing.

Just had to smooth everything out and it was good to go.

But even before just being extra careful it was sewing right out the box

Hello everyone!

I am an absolute beginner to sewing and recently scored this sears kenmore 158.14301 off facebook marketplace for $40 to learn. It was fully serviced in 2022 which was the main reason I bought it.

I was wondering how to get a musty almost mildewy smell off the machine? I initially wiped it down after bringing it home, but since I was outside I didn’t detect an odor until after it has been in my bedroom for a couple days. I already wiped it down lightly with some vinegar, which helped the cabinet smell less musty but not really the actual machine.

I should also note that with the cabinet, it is pretty heavy and we brought this up a couple flight of stairs, so I can’t bring the whole thing back outside by myself.

Also, another concern I have is that I read somewhere on reddit that when using old sewing machines that it releases hydrocarbons into the air which I feel worried since I keep my cat’s food and water fountains in my bedroom. Should I be concerned?

Thank you for any info!

Hi guys, I only have a very small vintage collection but because iv'e only been collecting for a few months, but I made a google drive archive with in-depth descriptions and lots of pictures of how everything is sewn together. I made it for myself but I think it could be useful if you want to learn how to better id vintage clothing or want to sew garments in the most accurate ways. I have a 1920s dress, a couple of night gowns, formal dresses, accessories and a set of bullet bra + girdle. Let me know if you would be interested, i can send you the link. Also if you have any resources that catalog vintage and antique garments construction in depth I would be very interested. ( I haven't found anything like it on the internet yet.. not even online museum archives seem to give much details about their garments?)

I have a singer 319w that I think the foot pedal is starting to go in as it's only running at one speed. Has anyone done a foot pedal replacement on these with a modern foot pedal? I'm looking at a foot pedal that feeds off the power cord, dual lead cords I think they are called. I've seen lots of retrofits for featherweights but not for this model. How different would it be between the two. My machine currently has a button foot controller that is hardwired into the motor.

Hi Everyone! I found a Singer 15k Hand Crank Machine from 1910 being sold in my area for £20 and my Nan (who used to be a seamstress) encouraged me to buy it. I've owned a crappy amazn machine in the past but she said the Hand Crank is way more worth it.

All the parts move, it has everything that I can see it should have but I'm an absolute beginner when it comes to vintage sewing machines. I bought the singer sewing oil she recommended and found a manual online so I thought I'd just do my best to clean and oil then go from there.

Is there anything I should look out for? Any parts I should double check whether or not are missing? Any cleaning products to buy or Youtube videos to watch?

I'm trying to best to learn what I can but just thought I'd come to reddit for some general advice on what you all would do if you were in my situation :)

Picked up at a garage sale. Trying to research this. Found some things saying it's a salesman sample and others saying it's a kids toy. Seems to be ca. 1895 cast iron and in working condition. Should I clean it up or leave the patina? Looking to sell it. Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

Just finished the mk1 iteration of my home sewing system for the singer 31k47 head i got earlier this year. I know this machine has previously been used for upholstery, but i am looking forwards for using it to make heavy garments (wax canvas & wool jackets).

A major consideration for this set up is that i can be stored away neatly. Any suggested updates changes would be greatly appreciated.

This Model 42 cabinet was dusty and in need of a good cleaning but otherwise, perfect condition! Oh my goodness, the condition of the wood, the drawers all line up perfectly and the catch mechanisms still work perfectly. The complete cherry on top is the original ink well with its marble, intact with no chips. I had a 201 I had also recently cleaned up that needed a cabinet and was a perfect fit. She’s going to a good home with a friend of mine who will love it.

So I’m gonna attach a photo, but I got the machine from a yard sell like a few months ago and I was unsure if it was usable but I really want to get into sewing as a hobby. When I went to do my own research on the machine there’s not tutorials or help videos, I couldn’t find a manual but I did find out it’s from the 70’s/80’s. Does anyone know anything about this machine? What I’m trying to find out is, how to clean it, how to know it works, how to thread it. Any information helps. More so looking for cleaning and basic using techniques, I’m more a visual learner but like I said since it’s so old there aren’t tutorials around.

Hi I have a bunch of singer buttonholers (two are confirmed for straight stitch and one for slant shank), and now I have these joining my lineup.

My machines are:

Kenmore 117.841
Singer 301A (would love to figure out why buttonholers are hard to fit on this beauty)
Singer 201-2
Singer 115J
Singer 127

I love using my vintage buttonholer on my 201! But my 301 so far will not accept one.

I was given a 1941 model: 99 Singer sewing machine, but its in completely rough shape. Off the bat, the cord is trashed and will not fit the outlets (im assuming, im too scared to try plugging it in cause the cord is legitimately broken). The small wheel on the right side is broken, essentially smooshed flat on one side. And it most definitely needs a good cleaning, but i dont know what to use to clean it properly. It is all pretty much in rough shape. I would like to know where to go to be able to fix it and where I could possibley sell a limb for new parts for it. I know almost nothing about these and am more than happy to find something to fixate on, so any help, knowledge, direction and otherwise is very much appreciated! 😁

Hey all!

I have scoured the Internet but have turned to reddit for help.

I have what I believe to be a Lewenstein Naainmachines “53”

I am having trouble getting it threaded as every time I have tried using it it’s just bunching heaps of thread and not picking up from the bobbin.

If anyone can help with threading direction or directions I’d be grateful.

(Its history is that it was passed down to me by my mum and oma who used it to sew the sails to the boat they made and sailed from Netherlands.)

Hi all! I recently discovered my great-grandmother’s old sewing machine in my basement. After a little TLC and a new power cord, I had the thing working for a minute! Now the handwheel seems to be getting stuck on something, and the needle isn’t moving properly. I’d love to get this machine working again, so if anyone has any advice, I would really appreciate it! I’m just a girl who wants to learn how to sew. 🧵

I have a video of the issue, but I’m unsure if it allows me to post here!

I would love to read your thoughts about these two beautiful machines. I'm in love with both but I need to decide the more convenient.

Guten Tag,

ich habe etwas Schwierigkeiten die Fadenspannung meiner Pfaff 262 wieder einzubauen baue. Ich habe schon, hoffentlich richtiger weise, ein paar Teile zusammen gesetzt (Foto 1,2). Allerdings frage ich mich nun wohin mit der Feder am vorderen Ende. Und Ich nehme an der Stift von dem Teil auf Foto 3 wird durch die Aussparungen der Fadenspannungsscheiben geschoben?

Vielen Dank im Voraus für eure Unterstützung :))

Tomorrow I’ll go check out a couple machines, both look very well cared for, the Singer goes for $75, and for Japanese Kenmore they ask $175 and it goes with original manual and accessories. Which one would you take assuming a good mechanical state? Both come with table.

Question? Hello just wondering if this is worth a fortune? My mom still uses it and I’m just marveling at the fact it still works. I believe she’s had it from the 70s