Cats and Treadles

Have you ever noticed how much cats love sewing machines?  I try so hard to keep them off my machines but they want to be right next to me at all times.
I got two new industrial treadles, but I am only keeping one of them because my friend, Chrystal, really wants one also, so I'll sell one of them to her.  The only thing is trying to decide which one to keep!  LOL  The main reason I wanted one was to do my free motion quilting on, so I'll need to test them out on my niece's quilt, it really needs to get quilted - the top has been done since like February or March!  LOL

This one is a Singer 31-15.  Cupcake wanted to be the first to show it to you!  You should have seen her trying to catch the wheel as it turned!  I had to stop because I was worried she would catch it and hurt her paw!
Here is a better picture of the 5-31, it has a serial number of G4064667,the serial number range is listed on the ISMACS site as a 31 class, being issued May 15 1915  in an allotment of 5000 machines
A 31-15 is commonly called  the "Tailors Machine",  It sure does sew great for being 100 years old!

The threading is different on it too.  I believe I did it right by threading through all three holes.

 I could not figure out what that knee pedal was for at first, it is to lift the presser foot!  That is pretty neat to be able to keep both hands on your project and then lift the presser foot with your knee!  BUT I have a tendency to knock my knee on it when I first sit down.

I want you to see the size difference on the treadles.  The one on the left is my Franklin.  The throat size on it is four inches by eight inches, the throat size on the 31-15 is 4 1/2 inches by ten inches.  Not to mention how much bigger the whole head is.  A lot of times people trying to sell a regular treadle will say "industrial" strength.  That is like calling my Mazda 5 a semi truck!  My car is pretty small in comparison (it is a micro mini van) and can not come near to the same horsepower as a semi.  It is the same with these machines.  Industrial machines were made for factory work.  The wheels are also bigger which makes them go faster.  With that said, my Franklin could out sew any modern day plastic machine out there.  I sewed my nephew's denim quilt with four layers of denim in some places on my Franklin Treadle and my Singer Redeye 66 hand crank.

 The other machine I got has a fiddle base on it, it is a Singer 16 with a patent of 1890.  The serial number is 10377480.  Serial numbers without a letter prefix are from before 1900.

I oiled the machines real good before sewing with them, and now I have oil coming out, so I sewed a paper towel to soak up the oil.  Right now I'm liking this one better, I sewed on it yesterday and just love the way it sews and my darning foot fits it, I'm going to test out my walking foot on it too.

Here it is by my Redhead 66.

 Don't you love my line of machines?  LOL This is line of machines is my sewing room!
 I forgot to take a picture of it, but both of the industrials have tables in the back that will flip up to give you more room to sew.

The throat space on the 16 is 4 1/2 inches by ten inches.  My Redhead is 4 1/2 inches by eight inches and my New Home hand crank is the smallest at four inches by seven inches.

If anyone has anymore information on these machines please share!
I bought the industrials from Pat, whose quilts I have been sharing with ya'll.  She also sent home a cabinet for a Singer 12, now I either need to get the head to go with it or sell the cabinet.  LOL  It is tiny!

Pat showed me a great way to figure out my 1/4 inch seam.  She puts the needle down on top of the 1/4 mark on the ruler, makes a more accurate mark that way.

This seam guide came with my machine, but when I tried to tighten the screw, it did not hold firmly.  I'm wondering if it is because the plate is not laying flat?
I decided to use my painter's tape instead.

Remember to share any information you might have on these machines!

Missy