My Singer 66 Treadle Sewing Machine
Here is my new sewing machine. It’s a 1950 vintage Singer 66 treadle sewing machine. I’ve been on the hunt for a Singer 66 treadle. After searching the internet, eBay, Craig’s list and other vintage sewing machine sites, I finally found this beauty just down the road from me at a yard sale. The sweetest part was that is was only $75.
She’s a Singer 66 treadle in a cabinet some call the schoolhouse cabinet. Apparently this cabinet was used in school home ec classrooms because they were a cheaper model sold by Singer and thus the name. I’m told this machine has the Filigree decals.
I was so excited to find this machine in such great condition. This later model even has reverse which is a real bonus. Plus it came with the original owner’s manual and a box of attachments. It just needed a new belt as the old one was dry rotted and broke. So I oiled it all up and installed a new belt, it was time to test it out.
I threaded it all up and after a few starts to get the hang of treadling again, it sewed like a charm. You see I haven’t used a treadle machine in over 40+ years. When I was very young, we had a black Singer 66 treadle in my Dad’s farm shop. He let me “play” on it and this is how I first learned to sew. I made doll clothes and learned to do basic stitching. Anyway this is how I first started sewing and making things by hand. That old sewing machine is long gone but I’ve always had a soft spot for treadles.
In the future I will share some sewing projects and recycled materials ideas that I have made using my treadle. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my acquisition and if you weren’t already familiar with a Singer treadle, maybe you will have a new appreciation for this vintage beauty.
Tags: Singer-66, Singer-Treadle, Treadle, Vintage-Sewing-Machine
Jun 16, 2013
You are SO lucky. The photos bring back memories of home ec classes-I’m sure that we used this model in junior high sewing. Have fun sewing with it – I’m sure that it has many years of sewing left in it.
Jul 01, 2013
I learned to sew on this machine. My mother had one at home and there was one at the Community Center where the 4H Club bet. Eloy Arizona. I have often wished I still had it. My mother had it motorized.
My favorite Singer is the Featherweight and I still have it. I am 73.
Jul 06, 2013
Aww in our country some people still using it.. I remember my mother was using it.
Jul 07, 2013
[…] recycled denim Christmas socks were all sewn on my Singer treadle sewing machine. It was fun to use the treadle to sew the denim sock shells. Once sewn, I just turn the socks so […]
Jul 26, 2013
I know for sure that however old these singers are, they are better than the newest sewing machines. My wife has inherited a baby like this from her grandmother, and he’s extremely happy about it!
Nov 29, 2013
I learned to sew on my grandmothers Singer treadle machine. While her machine was the older model (no reverse) this picture brings back a lot of happy memories. Maybe I should start looking for one of the treadle machines. Happy sewing to you…