PETER ON VIDEO: Don't Convert Your Treadle into a Plant Stand!

Friends, yesterday we talked about how some people convert old sewing machine and sewing tables into everything from lamps to tractors (no joke).  Some of you were big supporters of this kind of repurposing, while others were against the idea. 

Teach Your Mother to Sew Day!

Friends, do you have parents?  If so, have you ever thought about passing along some useful skills to them that will contribute to their independence and keep them out of your hair?

Feeling cranky (he he)...

Friends, first a rant:  If there's anything I can't stand it's poor communication from online sellers, which I've experienced twice in the last week.  First there was the Etsy seller who sent me the wrong housecoat pattern, then told me she'd send the right one out the Monday before last.  When it hadn't arrived by Friday, I reached out to her and she said:  

Busy, Busy, Busy

Readers, where does the time go?   It's nearly 4 pm and I haven't done half the things I'd intended to do today.  Do you make to-do lists?  If so, do you actually do the things on them?

I just got back from my neighbor Irma's apartment down the hall (that's Irma up top), where I helped her get her old sewing machine up and running again so she could alter her husband John's pants.

BREAKING -- Singer treadle switcheroo!

Friends, I know I lose a great many of you when I talk about vintage sewing machines.  Eyes glaze over, minds wander, thumbs twiddle.  We live in the time of Twitter and attention spans are short.

Why I Bother Sewing With a Treadle

Good morning, Mamie Van Doren fans and others!

Yesterday an anonymous commenter asked a very good question, one that many of you may have but feel embarrassed to ask.  To paraphrase...

Why bother with a treadle at all?  What's the fascination?

Peter treadles a Western shirt

Friends, I have a soft spot for Western shirts.  I don't know why.  It's not like I look so great in them and it's a slippery slope from chic urban cowboy to looking like you should be singing "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" around a Montana campfire.

"Let Them Eat Cake" + Treadle Update

Readers, are we sheeple?  I thought I'd seen everything in SewBloggingLand until I read this.

MPB SHOCKER: the nude treadle centerfold + POLL!

Friends, it's been all about the treadle so far this week.  My technique is improving and I love learning to sew on it.

I want to make another treadle video and perhaps in the near future I will.  But today I thought I'd go for something a little different.

So in the glorious American tradition of shameless self-exploitation I bring you...

Peter Speaks! The Singer 66 Treadle VIDEO!

Guys, my Singer treadle is up and working and it's lovely.  I found a leather treadle belt at a sewing machine supply place near me and I was able to fit it on the machine without too many problems.  Definitely not something you want to have to do by yourself unless you have four arms, but not too difficult.

Pre-Dawn Ramblings of a Treadle-Owning Insomniac

Grant me this: I work fast.

Meet the newest member of the family: my 1920 Singer 66 "red eye" treadle sewing machine! 

Treadle Sewing Machines: Yea or Nay?

Dear Hearts and Gentle Lurkers, I have a new obsession: treadle sewing machines.  I just checked this machine out this morning.  It is ONE BLOCK FROM MY APARTMENT.   I found it on Craigslist.  According to the serial number, it was manufactured on April 28, 1920.  Ninety years old!