I threaded up my new Vintage Singer (with the help of this tutorial on You Tube) just to see if she would actually sew. She’s still dirty, a bit smelly, and still has the same needle in as when she was last used. Unfortunately I’ve no idea when this was. I did remove the fluff from around the feed dogs, but apart from that she’s as she was when I brought her home.
I used a bobbin that was already wound and also brushed the dust off an old spool of thread. I was stunned to find she sewed beatifully! I wish I’d have chosen some plain fabric so I could show off the stitches, but I didn’t expect this on my first go!
Here’s a close up:
I had googled ‘how to treadle’ and found this which was really funny (well, I thought it was, and if you’ve tried to treadle you might too!):
Treadling is a very advanced and intricate procedure, when done properly…. here is a good, basic set of treadling instructions:
1. Place sewing machine on floor… it is best if back of machine is to the wall and front towards open space.
2. Place chair in front of machine.
3. Sit in chair and place feet on treadle (right one slightly ahead of left one)
4. Start hand wheel by turning with hand
5. Wiggle feet
6. Observe what happens… if it doesn’t look right, wiggle feet differently.
7. Curse, rethread needle where thread broke, start hand wheel in opposite direction and try again
8. Try it with one foot
9. Get a kid to work the pedal while you sew :o)
(click any where on the text to be taken to the site)
Then I looked up popular names in 1938, and in the top 5 was Betty. When I was expecting Harrison (my 12 year old) I was sure I was having a girl and my bump was Betsy all the way through my pregnancy. So as Betty is close enough to this name, I’ve decided to name my 15K 1938 Singer Betsy, as I think it’s the only girl I’ll ever have!
T H I M B E R L I N A 
How great that it worked first time after all those years. Just goes to show that the old uns are the best. Loved the treadling instructions:)
I keep telling my husband that….and he’s only 5 years older than me!
That’s just like my mum’s machine, the one I learnt on. Lucky you! Have fun sewing!
Thanks, You can come and give me treadling lessons! It keeps wanting to go backwards!
she’s a beauty and stitching so perfectly! Your going to have lots of fun stitching with her – Happy Easter!
Thanks! I bet my electricity bill will go down if I start using this more than my Janome!
Yay well done Betsy!! How exciting!!
Thanks Beth!
Congratulation on learning to treadle & giving it a go straight away!
(Those directions are a hoot – thanks for sharing them, too.)
del
I read them very carefully and it took a few seconds for it to dawn on me that they weren’t actually serious! Doh!!
🙂
Fantastic stitches! Love the treadle instructions!
They make me chuckle every time I see them! 😂
Very funny treadle instructions! I will be calling on you if I ever get a vintage sewing machine. In the meantime, Betsy is making me GREEN with envy! 😠💚
I was so lucky to find her, I’m just struggling with time at the minute to get her spruced up.
I’m so jealous! I want one of these babies! And she sews too! Gotta find me one of these!
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you one 👀
I love the if it doesn’t work ‘wiggle feet differently’ bit! Well done for getting it going again 🙂
I started off on my knees wiggling my hand as I didn’t have anything to sit on 😄
Now there’s an image 😉
wow, sounds like you got a real bargin when you bid on Betsy, congratulations!
Thankyou! good luck with your sewing, I’m enjoying your guest posts!
Those instructions had me in stitches! What an amazing find. Akin to winning a small lottery!
I know they’re brilliant, I was chuffed when I bought it, and that was before I found it worked, so now you’re right, it’s a bit like winning the lottery!
Had nearly given up trying to catch up with all the posts I missed over Easter – so glad I didn’t and made here. Very funny instructions. Of course the word wiggle is God given for comedy. Glad to hear she sews so well even without much TLC.
Thanks Bekki for making it this far and glad it was worth it!