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Treadle Sewing Machines Information

Antique sewing machine
The manual treadle sewing machine harks back to a time when in-home electricity was not common place. It is still used in areas worldwide that lack electricity. Some crafters and seamstresses enjoy the excellent stitching quality and the gentle clickety-clack of the foot powered mechanism. This page contains treadle sewing machine information.
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10 Questions

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April 11, 2021

Where can I find information on a Cottage treadle sewing machine. I have looked everywhere. The only number I can find is 60044. It is not a new Cottage. Please help.An old Cottage sewing machine.

 

The base of an old Cottage sewing machine.
 

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
April 12, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

Your machine is a very obscure name but most likely made by another company that made machines for stores and placed any name the store put in the contract.

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Sears is probably the best known company that bought brand name machines but used their own names - Kenmore is well known name - but Kenmore (or Sears) did not make these machines and the brand name company could change yearly.
Company history:
"Most Davis made machines were 'stenciled' models manufactured and labeled for retail outlets, catalog houses, and mail order companies. The Davis company supplied most Minnesota brand sewing machines sold by Sears Roebuck & Co. from 1900 through 1912."

I have not been able to positively find the original brand/company that made your Cottage machine but many people are leaning toward it being made by the Davis Sewing machine Company but I have not been able to find the name 'Cottage' on any site that has information about the Davis Company.

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I did find a site that has a list of all machine names that Davis made and Cottage is not on that list.Scroll to the bottom.
www.fiddlebase.com/.../

You do not show pictures of your full machine and a lot of information can be gained from the style/type of treadle so this makes identifying even more difficult.
This site shows a lot of Davis machines and one machine looks very similar to yours: Page 2 - middle of page - named: Davis Hummingbird.
This is a very, very slow loading page/site.
line.17qq.com/.../nwnwwppny_p2.html

You may be able to ask questions about your machine on one of these sites:
ismacs.net/digest.html
www.quiltingboard.com/.../
www.fiddlebase.com/.../

Hopefully, another member will be able to provide more information.

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Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 440 Answers
April 30, 20211 found this helpful
Best Answer

Sorry, but I just found time for your question. It is strange that some people consider your sewing machine to be made by The Davis Sewing Machine Company. Sewing machines from this company even look different.

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Your sewing machine is manufactured by the NATIONAL Sewing Machine Company.

The National Sewing Machine Company was one of the few early sewing machine companies to have a factory outside of New England. The company was based in Belvidere, Illinois, where it produced sewing machines, bicycles, washing machines and other items and employed hundreds of skilled workers.
This company was formed in 1890 by the merger of the Eldredge Sewing Machine Company (est. 1869) and the June Manufacturing Company (est. 1881).
The National Sewing Machine Company appears to have specialized in producing badged machines for retailers. In 1953 it merged with Free Sewing Machine Co. but was unable to compete with imported models and the National Sewing Machine Company closed in 1957.

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"Barnabas Eldredge was an industrialist connected with the Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a firearms manufacturer that also produced sewing machines with Eldredge. Ames sold off its sewing machine dies and equipment to Eldredge, who went to Chicago. There he joined forces with the existing June Manufacturing Company, founded in 1879 by F. T. June.
Eldredge took over the company in 1890 on the death of June, renaming it National Sewing Machine.
Eldredge led the company until his death in 1911. He was succeeded by David Patton.
National Sewing Machine Company and Farm Mechanics magazine partnered up, with the magazine offering Vindex toys as incentives to children to sell magazine subscriptions.
In 1953 National merged with the Free Sewing Machine Company but was unable to compete with the imported Japanese sewing machine models and the National Sewing Machine Company closed in 1957" en.wikipedia.org/.../National_Sewing_Machine_Company

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This company produced dozens of different National sewing machine models over the years, some with the National name (Model A, Rotary B, Rotary 110, Rotary 1120, Eldredge and other) and some for other brands (Velox, Harris, Detroit, Texas Advocate, New Home, Montgomery Ward, General Electric).
Here you can see names used on Sewing Machines of The National Sewing Machine Company: needlebar.org/.../index.html There ia and the name Cottage too.
Here is the same sewing machine as yours (see attached screenshot): www.bonanza.com/.../National-Cottage-Vibrating-Shuttle...

Most National brand sewing machines sell for about $100-500. The price depends on condition (if all its parts of the machine in working condition, if exist paint loss, damage), rarity (certain models are more desirable because there are fewer of them on the market for examples the oldest models made by Eldredge) and if the sewing machine has its original cabinet.

 
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May 11, 2010

I have a Singer treadle machine model, #w20841. I cannot thread it. Any ideas how I can find out?

By joyce from Shawnee, OK

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 213 Posts
May 15, 20102 found this helpful
Best Answer

I've owned 3 treadles, a White & 2 Singers. They all thread in basically the same way.
These older machines are quite simple to thread & your best bet would be to find a video on U-Tube of someone demonstrating it, but if you're like me & have only dial-up internet & can't get videos, I will try to attempt describing how to do it:
============================================================
HERE'S THE BASICS:

* Look at the machine diagram below & if you see in anything in "quotes" that means the item in quotes is shown in the drawing below:

FIRST: You need to know that the take-up lever needs to ALWAYS be ALL the way up before you start to you thread!

SECOND: Any time you move the "Machine Pulley" wheel (the wheel to the right that moves the needle up & down) you ALWAYS need to turn it towards you which would be Counter-clockwise & NEVER turn it clock-wise!

THIRD: To know WHICH DIRECTION to thread the machines needle from (in ANY machine) you look where the last thread guide is & if it is in the front, you'd thread the needle from the front, if the last thread guide is on the left side, you would thread the needle from the left

BASIC THREADING DIRECTIONS:
1) Put the thread on the "Spool Pin" (facing either way)
2) Then pull strand of thread over to your left & slide it in the first thread guide you come to (not shown on drawing)
3) You will see the round "Tension" dial (with numbers on it). Put the thread inside the dial from the right to the left under then BETWEEN the 2 round circle/disc plates
4) Now bring the thread up & into the "Take-Up Lever" & thread it from right to left
5) Then bring thread down through the next 2 or 3 thread guides
6) Thread the needle.
* Remember to thread the needle (as stated above) looking where the last thread guide is on your machine.

---> Almost all machines thread like this: First through a thread guide, then down & through the upper tension, then up through the take-up lever, then down through the thread guides & into the needle.

BOBBIN THREADING: (there are 2 types)
1) If you have a "drop-in" bobbin & put the bobbin in so if you pull on the thread, the bobbin would spin counter-clockwise. Slide back the metal plate that covers the bobbin, drop the bobbin into the machine, then slide the thread in to a slot which is the Bottom Tension & slide the plate back in.
2) If your bobbin casing is the kind that comes out & you remove from the machine, have the thread bobbin thread face the same way, then pull the thread into the little slot, (near a tiny screw, this screw is the bobbin tension). Next, hold the little lever out (this prevents the bobbin from falling out) & use it as a handle to put the Bobbin casing back into the machine.

LASTLY:
You need to get your bobbin thread up. To do this, simply hold on to the top thread with your left hand while you spin the "Machine Pulley Wheel" towards you (counter-clockwise) with your right hand & the bobbin thread will come out & be on the top. Each time you sew, it helps if you hold the 2 threads in you fingers while you sew the first couple of stitches so the bobbin thread doesn't get sucked back down into the machine.

---> This sounds very difficult, but it's super-easy if someone showed you how... It's just hard to write it all out!

MORE THREADING DIRECTIONS FOR OLD TREADLES:
www.backwoodshome.com/.../showthread.php?t=463

FIND THE AGE OF YOUR SINGER BY SERIAL NUMBER:
www.singerco.com/.../serial_numbers.html

PARTS & MANUALS FOR SINGER TREADLES:
www.singersewingmachine.com/manufacture.htm

*** IMPORTANT!
Your antique machine will need to be oiled before you use it! Find directions on how to oil on the Singer site or on the web. It's super-easy! Don't pay someone to do it for you! ...If you care for this machine, it will last another 2 or 3-hundred years! It would also help if you take some canned-air & a little paintbrush to clean & blow away any dust & lint that's accumulated inside the bobbin, underneath & in the upper machine.

* ALSO: Some old machines are timed differently & need to be re-timed so our modern needles work with them. So if your machine is having problems, maybe it hasn't been timed to modern specifications. I don't know much about this, I just know that they needed to do this to one of my treadles. Here's some more info:

HOW TO ADJUST ROTARY HOOK TIMING:
www.fixsewingmachines.com/How-to-Adjust-Rotary-Hook-Timing...
MAINTAINCE OF ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINES:
www.fixsewingmachines.com/Antique-Sewing-Machine-Repair.html

 
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September 14, 2020

I would like information about this machine. Is it worth spending money to get it sewing?

A Coronado treadle sewing machine
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
September 15, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

I have found a collector of older sewing machines and she is a world book of information on these machines. Here is a bit of information I found from her.

This machine was made by the National Sewing Machine Company of Belvidere, IL (hence the NCMCO on the plate). The company went out of business in 1954, when it was absorbed by New Home. I am not sure what year your machine was made because you are not showing us the model number. I am guessing by the looks that your machine was made around 1950 to 1954. This machine was sold by Gambles, who used the name "Coronado" on their machines for many, many years.

On her site she has a reputable dealer and her name is Cindy Peters. She has given us her email address and told anyone that if they do contact her for a manual - this is not free it has to be paid for - tell her that Damascus Annie has sent you. The email address is stitchesintime@earthlink.net.

Send this person an email and talk to them about restoring this machine. I know from what Annie has said that the needles for this machine are really hard to find right now and that the standard needle of today is a b it too short and she has to use something called a scooch method to get the needed to work correctly on this machine. National still sell the needles but not the exact one for this machine.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 15, 20200 found this helpful
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If you're interested in using a vintage plain stitching treadle sewing machine then I would say it's probably worth paying the cost of repairs.

I cannot find anything negative about this machine although it is not a well known brand.
Poehere has given you the history of this machine so no need to repeat.
This is what is referred to as a 'clone' machine although it was made in USA it is a clone of the Singer 15-91 and the name Coronado was the name used exclusively by the Gambles Department Store (St Cloud, MN I believe).

This posting is from 12 years ago but it may still be possible to contact someone for information.
www.houzz.com/.../coronado-vintage-sewing-machine-information

This site has a lot of information and also links to contact people about repairs and maybe a manual.

sewingiscool.com/.../

This site usually will help you with any questions about any machine. They will need pictures.

www.quiltingboard.com/.../coronado-treadle-sewing-machine-vintage...

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November 7, 2018

I have a Eldredge treadle. It was gifted to me in '09 after my bf's grandmother passed. It has sat around all these years and I've finally overcome my fear and decided to restore the treadle.Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine

 

My question is this. I can't seem to find any information on when she was made or where for that matter. It does have a serial number 1311592, but nothing else. It has a decal on the front of the arm that says, "The Eldredge" and on the back of the arm it says, "Improved Eldredge B". I've researched a lot and every image I seem to pull up doesn't match my treadle. I've found manuals a plenty of another Improved Eldredge, it's similar, but not at all exact.

I would just like to get a date because I want to set up a memory book with his late grandmother and great grandmother and any information I can find about this particular model. So that when it's not in use (I do plan to use it) this memory book and pics of the grandmothers can rest on top.

So any info on a possible date would be so greatly appreciated.

Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Dating an Eldredge Treadle Sewing Machine
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
November 7, 20180 found this helpful

In June of 1890, Eldridge was consolidated with the National Sewing Machine Company. Your machine is at least that old. ismacs.net/.../from_eldredge_to_national_to_janome...

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
November 8, 20180 found this helpful

There is a lot of information about the Eldredge and National Sewing Machines but not a lot of actual information that makes it possible for just "anyone" to date one of these machines.

  • Your machine had to have been produced after 1890 since it has a National Sewing Machine "badge" on the front (nameplate).
  • I cannot find any statement showing that the name Eldredge was completely dropped in favor of using the National Machine name so it is possible the Eldredge name stayed on their machines until they closed the factory.
  • There is evidence that National Sewing Machine company sold machines to several companies placing whatever name that company wanted to use (clones) (just like the Japanese companies did with the "Singer" model).
  • Here is an ad from 1879 showing a similar machine but it cannot be yours because this was 11 years before National was started.
  • ismacs.net/.../eldredge_sewing_machine_advertisement...
  • Even Wikipedia does not say when (or if) the sewing machines were renamed to National. I cannot even find a date when treadle machines were dropped from production.
  • en.wikipedia.org/.../National_Sewing_Machine_Company
  • Here is a link to Eldredge manuals but some of them are no longer available and your machine may be one of the missing ones. You can look at the pictures and writing to see if your machine is mentioned.
  • pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/.../1.html?bc=1
  • It is possible that you could contact this company to see if they can tell you which machine is yours and if they have a manual. I certainly think a manual would be worth the few dollars they are priced. It may take a few days to get an answer.
  • pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/.../question_form.html
  • Here is a link that you can purchase (usually) replacement parts and needles/bobbins for antique/vintage machines.
  • www.sewingshop.com/singerindustrialmachineneedles-20x1...
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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
November 9, 20180 found this helpful

I think for your purposes you can safely put 1890's and it will be great. You can also put in a note re the manufacturer and how important the sewing machine was to the development of society in ways that we completely overlook nowadays

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February 7, 2019

I have a White Family rotary sewing machine FR 253588 and I would like to know the value?

Value of a White Family Sewing Machine - treadle sewing machine
 
Value of a White Family Sewing Machine
 
Value of a White Family Sewing Machine
 
Value of a White Family Sewing Machine
 

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January 24, 2019

I also have an Eldridge treadle with same markings, but mine does not have the National Sewing Machine Company badge and I don't see national anywhere. I am dying to know the age. My number on machine is 2031395 (the number 1 is not really clear, but that's my take on it).

I just got it today and saw your blog about another treadle. Mine says "the Eldridge" on the front and the back says improved elder edge "B", but no badge on front where the one you are talking about has one. Mine is just more beautiful scroll painting there.

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October 29, 2019

How can I find out when this machine was made? It is in a cabinet. The numbers are 1112692.


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January 2, 2019

l've been looking at buying a treadle sewing machine and have seen one, but I haven't heard of the brand before. Can anyone help me with any information about a U.S.A machine?

Thanks.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
January 3, 20190 found this helpful

It is made by the White company, and is a very good brand.

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Anonymous
January 3, 20190 found this helpful

Thanks for the info Judy.

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September 4, 2019

I would like to know who made my vintage New Cottage treadle sewing machine with serial number 1875956.

Maker of a New Cottage Treadle Sewing Machine - closeup of the machine
 
Maker of a New Cottage Treadle Sewing Machine
 
Maker of a New Cottage Treadle Sewing Machine
 

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