I do all my sewing on my vintage and antique sewing machines. From piecing to assembling blocks to quilting and binding to other types of sewing. In fact, the newest sewing machines I have are a 1988 Singer and an early 1990s serger. The serger gets a little use once in a while, but since I don't make many clothes these days, not often.
My Davis Vertical Feed treadle is one of my top favorites. It's like a walking foot but is better termed a needle feed. There are no feed dogs. Instead, each time the needle comes up, it and the presser foot move forward, then move backward on the downstroke, bringing the fabric with it.
It's wonderful for straight line quilting because there is no worry about the fabric creeping along at different rates and ending up with pleats and folds in the backing. So I use it for any straight quilting, like stitching in the ditch, or echo quilting, anything other than free motion. Even if I never used it for quilting, it pulls its weight when it comes to applying bindings. Before I started using this machine my bindings would always try to twist but with the Davis, it's smooth and straight all the way.
Well, this weekend I discovered another use for the Davis, sewing fleece! I'm making some Christmas projects that required hemming fleece, and, remembering how it always stretches, I decided to try the Davis. Perfect! No stretch, no overlap, no uneven edges.
Just another example of how my oldies get the job done.
3 comments:
That's awesome! I came into treadles, handcranks and quilting just this year and I have the fever! LOL! It's interesting to read about people quilting on their treadles. I've tested piecing on my Domestic and would someday soon practice quilting on it! Thanks for the inspiration!
I just found a Davis treadle machine and have been looking for information on it. I know it was made in Ohio and looks like the tension disks sit on top of the machine. Can you direct me on how to find out any information about this machine. I'd love to fix it up and use it! The cabinet is in very good shape too so it's going in my house for sure!
Ellen, visit the Treadle On site, www.treadleon.net and join the email list. Members of the list will be glad to help you find the information you need to get your Davis sewing.
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