Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Treadle closeup

I've arrived in Gulf Shores safe and sound. My mother and I have spent the last 8 hours talking and talking and talking. We've also been going through all of our digital photos and telling stories. ...and boy do we have a lot of stories. I'll get to those in the next few days, but today I want to show you the other pictures of the treadle that I took the other day.

This machine is a Sears and Roebuck, Minnesota New Model A manufactured in the 1920's and 30's. My Grandmother was born in 1905, so I'm thinking that she got this around the time she married my grandfather. This is only a guess. There is a plate below, that says that the patent is pending Aug 1920. So definitely after 1920.


If you needed to buy new needles, you were encouraged to send in a sample needle, laced through a piece of cloth or cardboard. You were also to include the certificate number from the front page of the instruction manual.

The original manual was in the middle drawer on the left hand side, along with three pieces of satin and a whole handful of rubber bands.

The rest of the drawers held a mixture of old 1930 - 50's stuff and some newer items. I for a fact that the purple seam ripper was mine and I found it in the top drawer, right side.

The diamond ring I found the other day, when I was taking these photos, turned out to be a nice piece of glass on a 24carat gold band. I blogged about it, here. I was really hoping it was going to be my grandmother's wedding ring, but nope. That's fine. It was a fun thrill though, thinking I'd found a real diamond ring in a drawer that I hadn't opened in a decade.

This is such a beautiful machine. That face plate is gorgeous. I had forgotten that the whole machine was so ornate. It's been hiding in a corner of our condo for three years.

And the previous 3 years it served as an entryway stand. I kept a pottery dish on the top and it was the catch all place for keys, change and dust. I have always loved the treadle, so I enjoyed having it at our entry, even if it was never used for sewing.

I don't know how to sew, but I have two machines. I have this one from Grandma Corlett and one from my other grandmother. I told my Grandma Henry that I thought it would be nice to learn how to sew and that I had a few projects if I ever decided to take it up. A few years later, long after I'd mentioned the sewing whim, she gave me her 1980's portable sewing machine.

She told me that it needed to be oiled and that she hadn't used it in years, but she was getting a new machine and wouldn't need this one anymore. Because I needed to figure out how to oil the machine, I never used it. I keep thinking I should find a place to sell it, or give it away, but I just hold on to it. So far it's not in my way, so no need to make a decision today. :)

While looking through the booklet for the treadle there are several diagrams on where you are to oil this machine. It needs a lot of oil! I'm sure to get this back to working order, it's going to need an oil bath. Not to mention a new belt. This one is nearly worn through in several spots.


You can click to enlarge this photo. I did nothing to this drawer except open it up. This was the drawer Grandma Corlett must have used the most because it was chock full. If you can see, that tape measure it is well worn. There were several different kinds of thread, bobbins, bias tape in several colors and some fasteners and straps.

As I look at the certificate number I wonder if this sewing machine was the 236th machine in the Minnesota Model A. The Model A was manufactured by three different companies, for Sears, so it might have only been the 236th from that manufacturing company and not of ALL the Model A's made.

The bottom drawer, left hand side, contained the box with all of the accessories. There were so many different feet for this machine. You could hem, hem and add lace at the same time, pleat, and so many other things. The instruction booklet describes how to use all of these attachments, but I bet it would take a lot of trial and error to get the hang of those special features.



I had so much fun photographing the treadle. I didn't realize just how beautiful it was and am so happy to now have so much documentation of it. I've been wanting to sell the machine for quite some time and now that I've photographed it, I think I could sell it without any regrets.

OK, maybe a little bit of regret, but I think there's someone out there that would LOVE to have this treadle and I'll find them. Someday.

Ya know, it occurred to me that I should link this up with Leigh's Thrifty Thursday. It's vintage, it was free to me and it's now Thursday! I hadn't originally planned on this being my TT post, but I think it's perfect for this week. Not to mention, I'm afraid with all the projects/activities my mom and I have planned, I may not make it back here with a different TT post. I hope you've enjoyed the photo essay of my grandmother's treadle. I also hope that you'll stop by the other Thrifty Thursday participants to see what they found!



Have a great day!
Kristin

14 comments:

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

That's incredible. SO beautiful!!! Great photographs. I hope you got my email regarding Gulf Shores! Wish me could meet up, friend!

Jane said...

The sewing machine is beautiful and the fact that it belonged to your grandmother is even better! I'm a sucker for family pieces so I think you are so fortunate to own this machine. My mom told me she learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine from her grandmother. Thanks for sharing your treasure.

Old Time Cindy said...

Love what comes from Grandmothers. Beautiful piece!
Thanks for sharing!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy

Julie said...

Reminds me of MY Grandmother's!
Thanks for sharing the great photos!

Tracey said...

The machine is beautiful and it is great that you have all the original documentation. There are lots of people out there that sew on these machines so I'm sure if you decide to sell it you won't have a problem finding a good home for it.

Liz Autry said...

That is so awesome!:)

Tricia said...

Hi Kristin.
What a beautiful piece. Isn't it amazing how intricate and pretty the frame alone is?!
Such a wonderful heirloom!

Have a wonderful weekend!
XO*Tricia

Joan@anythinsggoeshere said...

I love the machine...but I really love the little tape measure. I am a nut for anything with numbers. i stayed in Gulf Shores when my husband went to Katrina to do insurance work. It was so beautiful and it is the only time I picked my own shells out of the surf. All of my other shells are from house sales.

Ruth Ann said...

I just love your style of photography! I decided today that I'm going to try to capture every awesome detail in my son's toy box! I'll post it sometime this week! Have a great vacation!

j said...

I really love how you are blogging about discovering the sewing machine and the contents of the drawers. I think it would bless your grandmother's heart.

If you get some free time, shoot me an email and maybe I can drive down for a "hello" in person. If you are fully scheduled, I understand.

jendt55@yahoo.com

Be blessed!

Ally's Corner said...

I have my great grandmother sewing machine from Sears and Roebuck. Love it.


Ally

Keetha Broyles said...

Really cool!!!

Someone else posted a treadle machine today (which was really yesterday) too.

JennV said...

My Grandmother had one of these too! It was my favorite thing in her house to play with, and I learned how to do simple sewing with her on that machine. Soo many great memories! Thanks for posting this!

thewaggonerfamily said...

Your machine is a sister to my Minnesota New Model A treadle, right down to the cabinet! Super cool! I hope you keep her. She belongs in the family. Mine is in much worse condition, but I am doing what I can to bring her back. I sent you an email.