I’m sewing all my costumes and everyday clothes on this old mechanical treadle sewing machine which I inherited from my grandmother. She can’t do any fancy stitches; just straight and zigzag stitches. She was produced between 1920 and 1954 and according to the manufacturer she’s very durable like an industrial sewing machine.

She’s worked by a treadle. The treadle is connected with a large wheel, which is connected by a thin leather belt with the actual sewing machine.

At first, I had some problems with her: getting the thread tension right, get her to work properly, sewing different fabrics like jersey etc. But now I prefer her to electric sewing machines. I like that she saves electricity.  I even can sew during thunderstorms. 😉 She sews less noisy than electric sewing machines. I can sew everything from thin, slippery fabric to heavy wool as well as leather with her. I can sew slow or fast regulating her by the treadle. And she makes nice buttonholes. Lately, I’ve sewn thin silk for a dress, heavy wool for a coat,  a harness for my dog, and even leather for a handbag.