index

"Welcome to Treadle On!"

Home Page for the "Treadle On" Email List

Treadle On is dedicated to promoting the use of antique and vintage human powered sewing machines, i.e. treadle sewing machines and hand crank sewing machines. It is the home base for the Treadle On Internet E-Mail List for active users of treadle and hand crank sewing machines. This web site Includes instructions on basic maintenance and restoration of treadle sewing machines and hand crank sewing machines. It also contains some historical references, all of which are only the best information available at the time of posting or simply what was provided by someone in response to a question. For accurate historical data, individuals should do their own research. Treadle On also includes some quilting information as it relates to various user activities we sponsor. Finally, it should be noted that Treadle On was originally formatted as a computer game and much of the material, especially in Olde Treadleonia, is clearly meant to be tongue in cheek. Those who find such a concept odd or bizarre are invited to seek for truth and the meaning of life elsewhere.

Captain Dick

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to heavy volume, I am not in a position to respond to individual inquiries regarding sewing machines, or to requests for valuation. There is a lot of sewing machine information on this site and related linked sites. Study them. Purchase the various resource books (especially "The Field Guide to the Identification of Early Singers". The money from this book supports this web site.) Subscribe to the sewing machine lists and learn there. Patronize the dealers who advertise on our "Flea Market" and/or who are linked to our links page. Remember, the research is supposed to be fun, too. Enjoy the hobby, but please allow me the time to enjoy it also. Thanks.

Dick Wightman, Site Owner

Index

This index divides the domain into main areas or sites, based on the type of information found in them. Inevitably, there is some overlap and duplication. Within the main folders, you will find expanded index pages. Use the "back up" key to return to previous pages.

Rules of Behavior and Code of Conduct for Treadle On - Treadle On exists within the boundaries of this web site, but its interactive communication system is the Treadle On email list... actually a separate function but on the same server. We are approaching 1500 members on that list, and you don't have a list that large and active without some problems. As the title of this link implies, here you will find an extensive list of information on how to behave as a member/citizen of this group. This material should be reviewed periodically by all members.

Sewing Machine Information Pages - These pages are a major attraction of this site, and are quite extensive. They include information on machine types, restoration and maintenance, identification, etc. These pages also have separate indexes.

* The Sewing Machine Shop - This set of pages deals with the maintenance and restoration of machine heads and treadle mechanisms. It also offers advice on selecting a treadle sewing machine for use and instructions on how to treadle.

* The Wood Shop - This set of pages deals with the mainenance and restoration of cabinets, making of display boxes, fitting heads to new table tops and anything related to wood as used with sewing machines.

* White Sewing Machine Information - White made one of the finest sewing machines of the period. They are very popular with our group. Unfortunatley, there is not the volume of ready information about them that there is about Singers. We have started to compile some information on models and a dating line here.

* The Quilt Shop - The avowed mission of the Treadle On List is to encourage not just the collection of people powered sewing machines, i.e. treadles and hand cranks, but to promote their active use. Treadle On sponsors a wide variety of quilt shows, challenges, exchanges, mystery quilts and other special sewing projects. The link at the beginning of this paragraph will take you to The Quilt Shop, which has a separate index of current projects and/or activities.

Special Interest Pages - These pages could actually be placed in some of the categories above, but receive substantial traffic or are pages that need to be especially easy to find. They are note listed alphabetically, but more or less on the basis of the volume of hits they get or their current importance at a specific time.

Treadle On Bulletin Board - A place where items of temporary interest can be posted for general viewing.

2008 Treadle On Birthday Bash TOGA - The 2008 Seattle TOGA, which is being called the "Birthday Bash", because it will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Treadle On, will be held in Seattle, WA on April 30 - May 3. This is a Wednesday to Saturday. There will be several quilt and sewing classes offered as well as the usual TOGA activities. Tonight (Jan. 31) I am posting motel and site info. Tomorrow or Sat. I'll post more info on activities and schedule and more maps.

2008 Treadle On 10th Birthday Block - This set of instructions is actualy in The Quilt Shop, where it has another direct link on the Quilt Shop Index page. However, since there is going to be a lot of interest and activity regarding it, i am putting a direct link here on the main index page as well.

Joining Treadle On - Treadle On is the primary internet list for those interested in using, as opposed to just collecting, people powered sewing machines, i.e. treadles and hand cranks. This link will take you to the Treadleonian Embassy (in Olde Treadleonia) where you will find instructions on how to subscribe, how to modify an existing subscription, how to unsubscribe, and how to reach the archives. The Embassy also provides a Welcome document. If you join Treadle On, you will find that you need to understand the mores and customs of the country. Doing so will tremendously increase you enjoyment and benefit of participation. This link takes you to a rather lengthy document that will tell you most of what you need to know. (Note: The Library at The University, below, will also be very helpful.)

Supporting Treadle On - Treadle On is not a subscription list or a commercial activity. It is run by Captain Dick, who supported it directly for many years, until it just got too big and busy to make that practical. These days, it is supported by the sale of Treadle On Publications (see link above) and by donations. Donations are acceptable at any time, but there is a primary fund raising drive early each year, generally in February. Donations are used by the List Owner to pay various internet costs for the web site and email list, maintain the computers and technology that make his operation of the group and site possible, and, when enough money is available (and his health is up to it) to try to attend various TO gatherings around the country to meet and talk with participants. Donations are often supplemented by funds raised in raffles at these TO gatherings, as well.

* Treadle On Publications - Source for "THE FIELD GUIDE TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF EARLY SINGERS" and "QUILTING FOR BEGINNERS", as well as other Treadle On publications and products, such as dreml patterns, bumper stickers, the complete script of our long running daytime drama "Romance in the Afternoon" - a story of love and adventure among the sewing machines, etc. Sale of these publications and products supports Treadle On's status as a non-charge site.

* The Flea Market - Treadle On has a regular flea market at which members may list sewing machines and related items for sale. Flea Market listings are posted once a week.

* The Chat Room - provides instructions on use of the Treadle On Chat Room

* Olde Treadleonia - Treadle On was originally established in the format of a computer game that took place in the mythical land of Treadleonia. It was great fun and the participants' imaginatiions ran wild. This was manageable When the group was fairly small. However, we eventually grew to a point where such an approach simply couldn't work. At this time we have over 1100 members. Olde Treadleonia is what has been preserved of this original, wildly imagininative site. Many references that are common on Treadle On today date from material and events of this "historic" period, and new members are strongly urged to settle in with a cup of coffee and a danish and spend a day in Olde Treadleonia.

dremls - dremls are creatures who live in Treadleonia. They are dear to the heart of Treadleonians, though they can be a source of great frustration. The University of Treadleonia (see Olde Treadleonia, above) has conducted exhaustive research on the native fauna of the country, and the government eventually established the Department of Resource Management and Environmental Liaison, to protect and promote dremls. This organization is attached to the University and all of its information can be reviewed there. However, because of the popularity of dremls, this direct link is also provided.

* Treadle On Archives - We do get requests for access to the archives of TO messages. Here is a link: http://lyris.quiltropolis.com/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=treadleon When you get there type in the email addy that you get Treadle On at and click ok. It will also ask for a password. Some folks have registered a Quiltropolis password for use of the Chat Room, others haven't. If you don't have a password, it should let you in without one. If you do have one, you will have to enter it.

Dick Wightman

10527 12th Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98177

Email to: rwightman@mindspring.com

Permission for reproduction for personal use only is granted.