I've been practicing my free-motion quilting on kid's quilts on a nice old Singer model 15 treadle. It does a lovely job.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Lisa, I do all my piecing on a modern machine but LOVE to machine quilt on my model 15. There really is alot of room under there compared to my modern machine. The feed dogs drop and the needle plate has a tiny straight-stitch hole. LOVE it LOVE it LOVE it!

I just finished sewing up some of the 3-D flying geese that were demonstrated on the latest show to take to my guild meeting next Monday afternoon so I can show the ladies how to do this really neat thing. And I sewed them on a Davis Vertical Feed treadle made in about 1909. Love than machine.

Pat in Rockport, TX

thanks so much for this thread, I just found out that my treadle machine was made in 1913 in Clydebank Scotland - it was bought from the estate of a local bellringer who had it from new, I never knew that you could check out the serial nos. like this. Unfortunately, it is not a patch on my mothers 1930's Singer (which I learnt on) or my modern Bernina - but I still like to look at it and use it occasionally. So heavy!!

Thanks to you both for the great websites! I'll look for the manual and, together with my trusty hubby, will tackle this project sometime this summer. If I can get it up and running, and refinish the cabinet, I'll be thrilled!

Lisa

BTW, if you go here: http://www.ismacs.net/singer/manuals/index.html you can downlaod a manual for you model 15 for free.

Lisa,
I agree with Pat. I purchased a 15-91 (potted motor on back) that had sat in a closet for about 20 years. All I did to it was clean it up with light detergent. I cleaned out the bobbin area. I changed the grease in the motor cups, oiled all the moving parts, changed the needle, adjusted the tension a bit and away it went. There isn't anything complicated about these machines. Did you get a manual? It will tell you all the places it needs to be oiled and other maintenance procedures. There really is no need to take in for service for something you can do yourself.

Ssuan
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

There are several on-line groups that will be helpful to you. I belong to some on Yahoo--the Vintage Singer group and WeFixIt are good ones. If your machine is a treadle, you might want to try http://www.treadleon.net for good info on getting it up and running. Two other excellent groups are http://www.ismacs.net and http://needlebar.org . If you post the serial number of your machine, located at the base of the pillar on the right, on the bed of the machine, I can tell you the approximate date that it was manufactured. With help from these groups, you shouldn't need to take the machine to a dealer to get it sewing for you. The model 15 is one of my favorites for free-motion quilting.

Pat in Rockport, TX

I just found a free Singer model 15, made in 1947, with a cabinet. The person I got it from said they think it works but needs to be cleaned and tuned up. I know very little about vintage machines, and I'm wondering what I can expect in terms of costs to have it restored if it just needs these basic services.

Thanks!

Lisa