Going Green With a Treadle Sewing Machine

Any time anyone asks me what type of sewing machine they should buy in order to get started sewing, I can’t resist giving my speech about how you don’t need a machine to sew. People made clothes long before the sewing machine was invented. Some stitches you can’t even do by machine, and in fact high-end couture pieces are still done by hand in order to achieve the highest quality workmanship. Plus, when it comes to designing and making clothes, there’s more to it than just connecting pieces of fabric using a needle and thread—whether sewing by machine or hand, you still have to figure out what fabric to use, and how to lay, cut out and assemble the pieces before you get to stitching.

Having said all that, a sewing machine is very useful, because it makes the stitching itself go a heck of a lot faster.

I find it difficult, though, to give a straight answer to the question of what sewing machine you should buy because it really depends on your personal preference. Buying a sewing machine is like buying a computer, or a car, or a camera—each one has the same basic functions but different special features, and there can be a large price range depending on how fancy you want to get.

Personally, I like treadle machines the best—the kind that use a foot pedal to run rather than electricity--which is why I use them in my studio.

I didn’t always sew on a treadle. In fact, I learned how to sew on an electric sewing machine, a Singer from the 1970s. But in 2009, I made a New Year’s resolution to make my wardrobe as ecofriendly as possible. So, I decided to invest in a treadle in order to avoid using electricity. I did some searching on the Internet, and finally found a posting on craigslist titled, coincidentally, “Go Green in 2009 with a Treadle Sewing Machine.” So I did.

I was immediately hooked. Aside from the environmental benefits of reducing my electricity use and the ability to sew during a power outage, I just really like the feel of sewing on a treadle machine better than using an electric. I feel more in tune with my machine because I can control every single stitch with my feet. Plus, they are indestructible. The machines I primarily use in my studio have been around since 1923 and 1930 respectively and they have an iron base and sturdy metal parts. Modern plastic-covered machines just aren’t as durable, and they’re a lot harder to fiddle with. Plus, they’re not nearly as pretty. I love the elaborate decoration on my Singer “Red Eyes”, named after the red emblem on their base.

Admittedly, electric machines can do stitches my treadles can’t. The treadle only sews a straight stitch, while electric machines often do zigzag and other fancy stitches, handy for finishing edges and making buttonholes. Today, some electric machines can hook up to computers and follow programs. While these functions could be fun to play with, I’m happy using just the straight stitch on my treadle. In some ways it limits the possibilities of what I can do, but in other ways, it just makes me be more creative. I see it as a fun design challenge to see what I can do with the tools I have rather than trying to apply fancy features.

I love sharing the joys of treadle sewing with everyone who comes in the studio because many people today just don’t realize that treadle machines are still an option. They are often surprised to learn that they can buy a treadle for the same price range as a low- to mid-end electric machine, and they’re actually not too difficult to find. Although the treadles are antiques, so many of them were manufactured at the time they were popular that they are by no means rare. In fact, I often have people walk into my studio who tell me they have one in their attic, their basement, or their grandmother’s house. The main challenge is often not finding one or the cost but rather ensuring that they are in working order.

I’m lucky to have found a source for buying and refurbishing treadle sewing machines that I can to share with my students. I have a couple now for sale, and can also help students locate specific models or get old machines running properly. 

So, I encourage students to explore all their options, including electric ones, and make the choice that best fits their personal preferences. As for me, I’m going green with my treadle machines.