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 It also contains some historical references, all of which are only the best information available at the time of posting or simply what was provided by someone in response to a question.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 that took place in a mythical island land called "Treadleonia". Many list members have beend with us since the beginning, over a dozen years now. Olde Treadleonia is no longer a part of the site, but you will occasionally encounter references to some of the creatures, customs and history of that land and time. They shoudl be taken with a willingness to accept whimsy as reality. Those who find such a concept odd or bizarre are invited to seek for truth and the meaning of life elsewhere.

Captain Dick

Captain Dick Quilting

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. Study the various sections. 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, Patronize the dealers who advertise on our "Flea Market". 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, 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 1800 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 - The links below are to specific sections that are major attractions of this site. Each of these sections is extensive and has its own index.

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 not listed alphabetically, but more or less on the basis of the volume of hits they get or their current importance at a specific time.

Flea Market Page - Treadle On has a Flea Market page, where members may list items for sale or wanted. The Flea Market page also give access to some other pages containing event listings and links to folks who act as regular suppliers of parts and accessories for our machines.

Treadle On Bulletin Board - A place where I post items of temporary interest for general viewing.

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.

Olde Treadleonia - Treadle On began its life as a simple computer game, with an interactive map of the island. Instead of an index, like this one, each page was a location on the island and you clicked on that location on the map. Some clicks took you where you wanted to go, others sent you off on wild adventures. Eventually, our activities grew to be too much to continue in this vein, and I set up the more normal web site you have been using. However, for nostalgia's sake, I kept the original format as historical "Olde Treadleonia", but no longer interactive. Most of the links still work, and you may still find yourself on fascinating or dangerous adventures. There are mysteries abounding in this place, clues to be found, dangers to be survived. It is recommended only for the brave!

Joining Treadle On - The Treadle On is 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 instructions on how to subscribe, how to modify an existing subscription, how to unsubscribe, and how to reach the archives.

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.

The Chat Room - Treadle On's server provides a convenient Chat Page. Subscribers may use it at any time they wish to get together there. To access the Chat Room, go to www.quiltropolis.com A screen will appear that will give various options, one of which is "Chat Room". Follow the instructions. Before going to the Chat Room, you must register and log in. If you are already registered, you just log in. If you are not registered, click on "Register" and follow the instructions.

Dick Wightman

10527 12th Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98177

Email to: rwightman@mindspring.com

Permission for reproduction for personal use only is granted.