A Bernina Treadle!
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 4:14PM I had so much fun today, and I forgot to take my camera! The Sewing Center in Conway (A Bernina dealer) held a private invitation brunch today, which I was lucky enough to be invited to. I met the coolest lady there! I noticed a badge on her tote bag that said “Treadle On”… and well you know where that discussion went… on to vintage machines!
She has an old Bernina she converted to a treadle… I think it might be this model but I won’t swear to it… it was green! I of course was entranced, and she told me about a place out in the boonies, south of Harrison called “White Chapel Fabrics” run by a couple who collect and restore vintage machines.
Road Trip! Maybe next Saturday… or Friday if Jim takes it off.
After that I stopped at Hancock’s, and the cover of a book caught my eye. I bought it, brought it home, googled the author… and I am in love! I’ve never been a doll person, but these are amazing! I must learn to make these!
The book is “Make Cloth Dolls” by Terese Cato, and her website is here. Amazing!
Reader Comments (11)
sounds like you had a fun day. I have not heard of that shop south of Harrison although I have noticed when going north of Harrison there is a quilt shop on the road that leads to Eureka Springs, I had noticed the sign but have never stopped at the shop - I have never heard anyone in this area mention it so I kind of thought it might not be great - but I could be totally wrong on that and need to look at it one day.
Better remember your Dramamine or whatever you use for carsickness if you head that way :)
Karen
I just spotted a Featherweight 222 for sale on the Yahoo group SewItsForSale. Thought you might want to know.
Marsha M.
Oops, sorry my mistake. i read to quickly. Someone is looking for one. I need to read more carefully.
I'm also a member of TreadleOn (http://www.treadleon.net). They encourage all kinds of human powered sewing machines, all brands, both treadle and hand crank. There are a few real Bernina fans on the list, using 400s,500s, and 600s (the old ones, not the new ones!) that have been converted to treadles. After I get better repairing the Singers I've got right now, I'd love to put an old zigzag Bernina into a treadle!
Wish I'd known about the shop a few weeks back. I went through Harrison on my way to Hot Springs. Oh well, one more reason to go back!
you just have to be careful with those treadle machines that your foot doesn't slide off and get your toes under the platform when it comes down. I remember many smashed toes on Gramdma's old machine.
The dolls remind me of Elinor Peace Bailey. I heard her speak at a quilt show a number of years ago, What a hoot! Bears to dolls--not a long trip. I expect to see you making one soon. Diane in CT
Diane is right, they do look like Elinor Peace Baily. EPB is a hoot, she spoke at my guild meeting last year and even though I haven't tried to make one, I can see you doing so.
I wouldn't have been able to pass up that book either. I haven't made any dolls, but they are favorites of mine. I loved looking at the book...wishing I had the talent to do the faces.
That's interesting about the Bernina treadle. I was scanning machines on the Janome website and they sell a treadle machine. I thought that was the neatest thing and told my husband that that was what my treadle cabinet needs.
I do have a singer machine in it right now. How can I tell what model it is or the year it was made in?
CJ, You might like a Vintage Singer 3/4 Sewing Machine, Model 99K . It is heavy duty, smaller than a full size machine but larger and less flimsy than a featherweight.
I have just bought the new Janome treadle. It is the sewing machine only and the model is 712T. You have to provide the cabinet/treadle. We had to make some adjustments to fit into the singer cabinet. My daughter (49 yrs.) who has been an unsuccessful seamstress is learning to sew on the treadle and loves it. She made a cover for the sewing machine, a huge accomplishment for her as I designed it with two darts and some challenging corners for a beginner. She also did some mending. The thread holder will not allow the fold up table on the left to completely close which is why we needed a cover.