As this thread started I began to count up my machines and realized that I was in the throws of General sewing machine addiction too. I have a Kaiser treadle machine, bought in Germany in the 1970's from an antique dealer. It sits in a table with wrought iron work picked out in gold leaf. The table includes the treadle portion and the big wheel for the pulley. On the other hand you can unhook the pulley, put the inlaid wood cover over the machine (rectangular in this case) and lift it out to take with you. Then it works as a hand crank. The machine itself is inlaid with mother of pearl and lovely gold paint work. It worked when I bought it and even had the needles and several feet for it (I suspect Singer feet would also work) as well as the pulley. Now I use that stand for my 1970's era Pfaff workhorse (dual voltage) also bought in Germany.
So there is the Kaiser treadle; the 1970's Pfaff; a 2002 Pfaff I bought when my workhorse 1970's suffered a seizure (over 20 years without a tune up and it finally quit until I took it in - now it works fine again). This one is presently "stored" at a friend's house because it requires a professional tune up every year. Her deal is she gets it and she takes care of it. A 1928 Singer (made in Elizabethtown, NJ on 28 Feb 1928) that is electrified and will work with either a presser foot or a knee lever. A Morse 1950's Japanese knock off that is great for tents or fine silk just got back from being timed and tuned. A 1970's Touch and Sew that called to me from the Good Will store because it had a nifty cabinet with the fold out side table. Then they surprised me with all the feet, the instruction books, and five bags of nifty "Stuff" for $50. Finally (until the next machine calls to me) a 1950's Singer that was my mother's and is now on loan to my foster son for garbing purposes (needs a professional tune up) My mother always credited the Singer Treadle we had (sold before I got interested in sewing - sob!) with the ease of birth of her three children. She would make baby and toddler clothing on it. The action of making the treadle work strengthened her "birthing" muscles said her doctor. Regina Romsey "All I want is a warm bed, a kind word and unlimited power" > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
