I was gifted this old coffin top Standard rotary treadle sewing machine by a fellow quilt guild member. She has a pretty early 6 digit serial number so I'm guessing she is from the 1890's - 1900ish. It was in an uncleaned and somewhat neglected, but fair condition. I knew nothing about vintage treadle sewing machines and was very excited to get my hands dirty and learn all about it. I started to clean her up right away. I first removed the machine from the cabinet. It was evident right away that the decal was long gone so all there was to do was to clean off the years and years of oil and crud that covered the whole thing. It took a lot of elbow grease and there is still more that can be done. What I'm most excited about is how much better the cabinet looks after a cleaning with Murphy's Oil soap, touch up with some Old English and an application of Howard's Restor-A-Finish. We figured out how to cut and fit the belt with a little help from YouTube. I was able to figure out how to thread it and within minutes I was sewing. She works like a dream.
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| Before she came home to me. |
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| Catalog Image |
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| Coffin top before |
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| Machine before |
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| Dirty bobbin case with a little Liquid Wrench |
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| Distressed top before |
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| After |
Here she is in action with her ruffler foot attachment.
Your Standard machine is beautiful. I am going to look at one for myself this coming weekend. I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina, you will love it!
ReplyDeleteI have acquired a machine very similar to yours. I am having figuring out the tension assembly. The set spring on mine seems to be broken off at some point. The set spring is attached to a screw behind the faceplate of the machine and it seems it should protrude out of a space between the body of the machine and the face plate. I found photos online, but none are close up so I am still looking for help. Is it possible you could post a closeup photo of the tension assembly or could we converse by email? Thank youRenee
ReplyDeleteHi Renee,
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to send you some pics, please let me know where to send them. Thanks
I'm so glad I found you! I just got this same model machine, and I'm looking for help with the upper tension assembly as well! Could you pretty please share photos of it with me too? Mine has felt discs and there's no take up spring! Something's very wrong here.
ReplyDeleteitreadle@yahoo.com
I purchased my Standard in 2000 from the granddaughter of the original owner, had been in the family for a long time. I have only used it as decoration until now. The belt has deterioated and can't be used, can you tell me the length, shape and width of the belt. I am planning on reworking her. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteKaren I would have to take it off and I hate to do that. All I did was buy a synthetic replacement belt and followed the directions I found online. You can cut the belt to the correct length for your machine. It is a pretty simple process and there are several You Tube videos that can walk you through it.
ReplyDeletei just bought my first treadle it is a standard style 3 it is in beautiful shape cabinet and all. the serial number is 344338 my question is do I need a special type needle because I can seem to pick up the bobber thread. And what year mine was made according to the serial number
ReplyDeleteI bought my first treadle, it is a Standard style 3 in beautiful shape cabinet and all serial number 344338 for 60 dollars. my question is do I need a special needle because I can't pick up the bobber thread. thankyou
ReplyDeleteYou can use general needles, nothing special needed. Your problem may be the direction of the needle. Make sure your needle goes in with the flat side to the right. Hope this helps :)
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI live in New Zealand and I have been given one of these beautiful machines. Thank you for your info on the PDF manual. I have cleaned it up ( its still a bit grotty) sadly we dont have the cleaning products you used. I am having difficulty getting it to sew.. they thread seems to snap off ( top thread) and the bottom bobbin thread does not catch up . Also I have replaced the needle with a new needle and the bobbin with a new universal bobbin. Any help you can give will be most appreciated. I would love to get this going and use in my doll making and my art work. Thank you and hello ( Kia'Ora ) from cold New Zealand
Hi Sue,
DeleteI am no expert on these machines. I was super lucky, I threaded my machine and she performed beautiful. Make sure needle is in with the flat side facing to the right. Try joining the yahoo group Standard Sewing Company and asking for help there. There are many well educated people there that can better help you. Good Luck!
Thanks for posting this. I have my great-great-Aunt Ida's Standard treadle machine. Still with her threads & buttons, etc in the drawers. It is same as yours, except double drawers on each side. I have never done the overhaul or tried to get it running, but yours is an inspiration to do so.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear Sue! Sounds like a real treasure. The overhaul was fun and very educational. If you look online you will find some you tube videos that are helpful even if they are about Singers or other brands of machines. This reminds me that I should probably clean and oil mine again for good measure. Thanks for posting.
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ReplyDeleteI have recently bought a Handcranked Standard with a coffin top case and she is beautiful. I am also needing to reassemble the tension and am doing so by looking at pictures of Standard machines and with some good advice. I'll let you know if I get it right then perhaps we can help some of your followers here. Thankyou for the video clip. You've done a g
ReplyDeletereat restoration job