Today I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely family who previously owned this beautiful machine! I know you have been looking forward to seeing inside the cabinet so I will get right to it! Brace yourself… it’s in amazing condition!
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I am still pinching myself and can hardly believe how fortunate I am that today I became the very proud owner of this beautiful Singer 66 Treadle sewing machine. While this machine appears to be brand new and is certainly new to me, in reality it is hardly “new”! Based on the Singer website and the serial number of my machine the allotted date for this machine was December 2, 1935. It was 1 of 3000 made at the Kilbowe factory in Clydebank, Scotland. |
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 I am still not sure what the clamp/bracket next to the treadle (shown on the right in the picture above) is suppose to be used for? Oops, I better clarify – the one that is fixed to the cabinet, not the treadle irons. Any Guesses? Maybe it is to tie the belt around when its stored away? |
It was fun getting acquainted with this machine and learning how to thread it. A few false starts with some broken threads and lots of re-threading the needle due to the tension being way too tight, a few adjustments and although I have never treadled before in my life, I was off to a very good start. I managed to sew a 42″ strip continuously up one side and then turned it around and sewed down the other side! I was so proud of myself! |
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 Even Felix inspected and approved the new addition! He definitely found his place and will no doubt be nearby whenever his new friend is out to play! |
Later, my luck soon turned and other attempts were not quite as perfect as my first, somehow when I treadle it is turning backwards just as I try to get started, my timing must be off. Its also very amusing to try and figure out how to stop so far it has been like trying to take a wild horse “whoa” followed by a crash landing. I will need to work out how the brakes work on it! :~) One thing is for sure, I have mastered how to rethread the needle! I will most certainly keep practicing and learn a rhythm and eventually learn how to brake and control the speed. The machine sews amazingly quiet and smooth. I love the soft ticking sound it makes.
This is definitely going to be the start of a very long and wonderful relationship!
p.s. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you and hope you and mom are enjoying your weekend away! I look forward to hearing if you bought that new car you had your eye on and to hear about the rest of your weekend!
Congratulations! What a gorgeous machine, and a parlor cabinet no less, WOW! Enjoy it! A 66 is still on my wish lit. They’re around but not at prices I want to pay.
Well done and what a lovely machine – not to mention that handsome fellow admiring it….vbg.
My Grandmother taught me that when ever you are starting to treadle – if you give the fly wheel (on the machine – not under the table) a spin with your hand just as you start to move your feet – not only will the machine go in the right direction, but it also makes it easier to start treadling. Hope this helps.
The lever is to help you take the belt off the large wheel. When you’re ready to drop the head into the cabinet, activate the lever, treadle a bit until the large wheel’s notch helps you slip the belt out of the groove, and you’re ready to drop the head into the cabinet.
Ours never spent much time put away, only when we had company, and that was rare as we lived 25 miles from town. But I remember being fascinated by Mom’s ability to get that belt on and off in a jiffy.
Good luck, and remember to give the flywheel a good turn to get you started. And use the flywheel to return the take up lever to the highest position at the end of the seam… that should help with the “unthreading.”
Ila
Oh Michelle! It’s lovely! And the kitties approve :c) I have two treadles, neither are in working order, tho I would love to remedy that at some day. I have dreams of treadling away on a day with no power..with a fire in my woodstove…
Happy Treadling!
Bonnie
It’s absolutely gorgeous! What a special blessing to have met the original owners, and get a feel for its history.
I am a 47-year-old American from the Northshore area of Massachusetts, but I learned to sew on a Singer Treadle sewing machine when I was growing up in Australia. There were many days I spent visiting my elderly neighbors to have tea, help with dishes, work in the garden and, best of all, learn to sew on a Singer treadle machine.
When I was 17 I obtained a modern Singer which I worked with for quite a few years. I’m buying a new industrial model for everyday use, but I would like to find at least one fully restored Singer Treadle machine, preferably with a complete set of accessories and attachments. Hopefully I’ll be as fortunate as you!
All it takes is practice, and you’ve got it! When I got my first treadle, I was going backwards like you said – then I quilted a baby quilt for 6 hours on it.
Good luck, an yr and some odd months