Quilting & Sewing with a Treadle Machine
With our modern computerized sewing machines, some so automated they’ll sew without you touching them, many quilters may not realize that there once existed “people-powered” or non-electric sewing machines. I learned to sew on a treadle machine, so called because there was a flat plate, about 12x 9-inches square under this machine on legs that turned the needle and enabled us to stitch items.
When these sewing machines were invented in the mid-1800s, they were the height of modernization. Seamstresses were delighted they no longer needed to stitch clothing and quilts and do mending by hand.
Finally my 4-H teacher bought a portable electric sewing machine that sat on a table. She taught us to use this but warned us to “be careful of your fingers. That needle goes awfully fast.”
We still have a treadle sewing machine that my daughter has claimed. It’s considered an antique. One of these days, we’ll have to haul it from storage in the garage and see if it really works. In the meantime, she uses her computerized machine for quilting and fabric art.
Anne Kusilek . at Antique Quilt Dating, has written several articles about the non-electric, people powered, or treadle sewing machines…the history of them and her experiences. As I read these articles, I was taken back in time to a childhood when Mother, Sister and I used treadle sewing machine in my parents’ bedroom to make many items of clothing and sew patches for quilts.
These old-time sewing machines have become collectibles. Some are used for display and decorative effect. Others are used for sewing, as Anne Kusilek does.
A number of books, as well as Anne’s articles, have been published about the history of the sewing machine.
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POSTED IN: Books and Magazines, General Quilting/Patchwork, Memories, Online Resources
1 opinion for Quilting & Sewing with a Treadle Machine
carole Holt
Mar 11, 2008 at 6:13 am
i was getting reading to write on my blog this morning http://017924b.netsolhost.com/ccblog/ when i need some info on treadle sewing macines. thank you for the information. You reminded me of a childhood memory, my mother using her treadle machine. i havent’ thought about that since i was a child. thank you for that.
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