flanman

Well with the help from of you all and a little 'nothing to loss' attitude I think I have it working. I took the shuttle out and loosened the spring screw and removed a barrel of thread debris and other nonsense. I realigned the needle which was in sideways. I tinkered with the tensioner and getting the thread into it properly so that it actually applies resistance. Thank you once again. Back to practice stitching for a couple of weeks then if I do not screw anything else up I will see what I can do for projects.

OK so I know I am slow but it takes time to get things where I live. I got new needles two 14s and a 16. I replaced the old needle and now the bobbin thread is creating this huge ball of loops of thread on the underside of the fabric I am practicing on. I have tried adjusting the tension on the upper thread but with little success. This seemed like such an easy idea when I started. Get a treadle machine, get some thread and press the peddle and whalla I will have a new buckskin shirt...boy was I wrong.

Wiz, thank you. Yes the serial number check has confirmed this is more than 100 years old. I had hoped that the quality then would handle thin leather and figured with no mechanical/electrical engine so to speak it would be able to do so. Alas I am slowing accepting that it will not. flanman

Thank you CD.

let me see if i can get my pics posted with a new browser here are the pics. A couple of questions I still have- where can I get good replacement needles? Adjusting the tension has helped but not eliminated my issue with skipped stitches, any other thoughts? Any suggestions on where I can find someone to redo the woodwork on this treadle. Much of the veneer is ready to go or has come off. One drawer was reglued but too much glue was used and now it will not close all of the way. I am still looking to use this to sew a buckskin shirt. I am getting better with sewing fabric and hope to soon have this adjusted well enough for thin leather. Thank you once again for your guidance flanman

how do I post pics. I have tried using the image and links buttons but they only lock up the browser. I have tried cut and paste a photobucket link but that did not paste... sorry

TinkerTailor This is great info, thank you. One follow-up question if I may, how do I adjust the presser foot pressure? Also where can I order new needles and what size should I get for attempting to stitch buckskin? flanman

thank you. So it is not likely to handle leather even thin buckskin, understood. Now why would it be skipping a stitch every now and then? flanman

I hope it is not because I missed it but I did not see anything in the Sticky thread about treadle machines or the issue of skipped stitches. Any other help would be greatly appreciated. thanx again flanman

thank you. Missed that one.

Greetings All Earlier this winter I decided to get a treadle sewing machine thinking that it would allow me to sew a shirt out of buckskin. I originally thought that I had purchased a Singer 47k but now believe it to be a 25K treadle sewing machine from 1902. I had a local gentleman service the sewing machine and began practicing on fabric so as to get up to speed so to speak with using a treadle sewing machine. Once comfortable I gave a try to the leather. Initially it went well. That is after I adjusted the thread tension. Shortly after starting I noticed that it skipped all the stitches after the first two inches of fabric. I raised the foot pulled the leather, cut the threads and tried again. This time it only sewed three or four stitches and then skipped the rest. I went back to fabric and it skips every tenth stitch or so now. From what I can find on the internet it would seem that I have a dull needle. Is this correct and if so where can I get a good replacement? If wrong what do I do to correct this issue? Thank you in advance for your help/guidance. More questions to follow I am sure. flanman