"The Library"

Archive of Treadleonian Trivia

Knowledge of which can make your stay in Treadleonia much easier.

In it's earliest incarnation, this site became known as "Treadleonia". It was a very loose place, and in addition to sewing and machine related information, functioned as a "fantasy island" with an adventure game. Over time, it developed a very elaborate and gloriously silly culture of it's own, including language, economics, history, and legends. This worked reasonably well and was lots of fun, with a small list. The list kept growing, and the site expanding, until it became unworkable in terms of maintenance. Finally, a point was reached in which it became nearly impossible to make it work. The site was cleaned out and restructured for ease of operation. However, some aspects of Treadleonian culture and lore lived on and The University became the repository for this information.

Over the years, Treadleonia's population grew, and there was an increased interest in our history. With increased computer capability and knowledge, the means became available to restore Olde Treadleonia, and the University became critically important for new Treadleonians wishing to learn of their heritage.

Enjoy the facilities of the University. We are pleased to provide them.

The Captain

 

Archive of Treadleonian Trivia

Admission to library is two sewing machines.

Geography: Treadleonia is an island. It is located where the Sea of Imagination joins the Ocean of Opportunity. This is somewhat to the west of Inspiration and a bit north of Reality. Its citizens consist of both humans and sewing machines (and, by national plebiscite, Teddy Bears), all of whom interact freely in various formats. Time in Treadleonia is magically flexible. Treadle and hand crank machines ranging from 125 years old to brand new co-exist comfortably with users as young as 9 and as old as 90. The sewing projects, stories and social history that are shared come from current, living members, as well as from the memories and writings of those who, other than in spirit, are for the time being gone from us.

History: The founding of Treadleonia was a period of some confusion, and for a time, the early records were lost An effort was made to establish the actual founding day, and April 16 was arrived at. However, later research in long forgotten lore turned up the actual birth announcement, which it turned out was issued on April 14, which was then declared the official Treadleonian Independence Day. Here is a copy of that revered document:

Date: April 14, 1998

From: "Captain Dick"

Subject: Birth Announcement

This afternoon, the new list I have been trying to create became a reality... a small one, but a reality. It is set up, and working. Three people have successfully subscribed and messages have been exchanged. The list is named "Treadle On". It is set up at present to serve two purposes. The first is, hopefully, long term, and that is to provided a forum for the exchange of information on the use of treadles and hand cranks. The second is to provide an easy forum for chatting for the

entrants in the 1998 Antique and Vintage Quilt Challenge, it being understood that numerous of them are using classic straight stitch electric machines, as the rules for that challenge permit. Next year, assuming we survive, this list will sponsor a challenge specifically for treadles and cranks.

(The remainder of the message dealt with the technicalities of subscription)

Captain Dick

Email: captdick@nwlink.com

Web Site: http://www.nwlink.com/~captdick

Phone: 206-784-0883

Home Address: 2631 NW 95th St., Seattle, WA 98117

Tagline: Sometimes you're the statue... sometimes you're the pidgeon.

Captain Dick

Email: captdick@nwlink.com

Web Site: http://www.nwlink.com/~captdick

Phone: 206-784-0883

Home Address: 2631 NW 95th St., Seattle, WA 98117

Tagline: Sometimes you're the statue... sometimes you're the pigeon.

 

As a side note, all those who signed on in April of 1998 are considered "Pioneers and Original Settlers" a revered group indeed.

Treadleonia's flag: The flag is a field of medium blue (oddly enough, the same shade as this page), bordered in dark blue, with the silhouette of the island in black, over the letters "TOF", for "Treadle On Forever", in dark blue.

Treadleonia's Mottoes: First, the official Latin motto of the University of Treadleonia is: "Recto suentes semper superant" "Straight stitchers always win!"

Second, the official Latin motto of Treadleonia itself is: "Inveni, restituti, suenti" "I found, I fixed, I sewed." (this was actually the motto of the very first "Captain" who found Treadleonia and established a country there, many generations ago.... I understand he will be covered in an upcoming Treadleonian history book) This motto may appear on the Treadleonian SM currency...

Treadleonia's Anthem: As a country, with a flag, a motto and currency, we also need an anthem... Walks give one a lot of time to think... here is a Treadleonian National Anthem... to the tune of Tom Lehrer's "Boy Scout Marching Song:

Treadle On!

Chorus:

Treadle On!

On machines that are not new.

Treadle On!

You know that's what we all must do

We find them at the garbage dump,

Estates and yard sales too!

We bring them home and fix them up,

To see what they can do

Treadle On!

On machines that are not new.

Treadle On!

You know that's what we all must do

If you come upon a Singer,

A White, and others too,

You know you'll purchase all of them,

And never just a few!

Treadle On!

On machines that are not new.

Treadle On!

You know that's what we all must do.

You know that when you take them home,

Your family may pout.

Yes, there's a possibility,

That they may all move out, but

Treadle On!

On machines that are not new.

Treadle On!

You know that's what we all must do.

And if the family really moves,

Don't let it bother you,

Just think of all the space you'll gain,

And take a longer view,

(Slower, With building feeling...)

So don't be worried,

Don't be flustered,

If they're gone

Just Treadle On!

 

Polictical Structure: Treadleonia is the personally owned email list and web domain of Captain Dick, who serves as the official Mad but Benevolent (or sometimes Evil) Despot in Charge.

Economics (Captain Dick's): Immigration to Treadleonia (subscription) is free, and is handled through the Treadleonian Embassy (see Main Index page). Operation of a email list and web site of this size is neither easy nor inexpensive. The site is not established to make money, and actually loses it at a rather horrendous rate. Some support comes from the sale of self-published books and it is possible some additional may come if there is overage after the expense of the summer TOGA Party. (This information is offered so that folks will understand our situation while the domain is a ".com", it is not a commercial site.)

Economics (Treadleonia's): Treadleonia's primary employment outlets are the Sewing Machine Shop and The Quilt Shop, which generate the main manufacturing exports restored sewing machines and quilts. There are occasional employment opportunities at other sites, such as the Woodshop, or even waiting on tables at Stirback's Espresso Café. Treadleonia also exports onions. Working in the onion fields is miserable work, and does not pay notably well (see Agriculture below.)

The currency of Treadleonia is a very large, heavy iron coin called a "sewing machine". No one can carry more than 25 of these coins. All Treadleonians are honor bound by their Treadleonian Oath to keep track of their accounts! While the "sewing machine" is the official unit of currency, it is representative. Each coin is supposed to be backed up by a real sewing machine in the Royal Mint. There is talk that the Evil Despot Captain Dick actually hoards some machines in the basement of the Royal Castle, and has introduced inflation to Treadleonia by issuing more coins that there are machines in the mint. No one has been able to prove this, however. Once a citizen was heard to mention the possibility of a Special Counsel to investigate the other citizens rose in arms and fed him to the dragon.

Agriculture: The Treadleonian diet is heavily oriented to onions, which are their main crop. The onions are grown in the very fertile reclaimed land behind Graham Fors' Dike. Because of the importance of onions to their economy, Treadleonians are sometimes called "TreadleOnions". However, this rather like shortening the origin of Scandinavians by calling them Swedes or Norskis you want to be sure you "smile when you say that,pardner."

 Language: Treadleonians speak English, but are given to adopting acronyms at the drop of an initial. Here are some you should be aware of:

Treadle On Dictionary and Lexicon

Over time, any email list develops it's own internal shorthand to speed up communication. As Treadle On grew, so did it's language. This link will access a more complete dictionary of commonly used abbreviations, phrases and colloquialisms that appear on the list:

Treadle On Dictionary and Lexicon

Treadle On Lexicon (updated 01 July 2001)

(being a list of frequently used, Onion-tested terms and abbreviations)

 

(Note: Over time, any e-mail communication group develops shorthand to speed things up.  In 2001 Treadle On experienced a growth surge that put us over 1000 members, and there were frequent requests for a dictionary of terms, abbreviations and colloquialisms common to the group. Valerie in Germany volunteered to collect the most common of these and worked up the following collection. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to her for doing this job. As a result of problems on my end (computer crash, a health problem that limited the use of my hands for typing, and then problems in setting up a new computer), it took me nearly four months to edit and post her product. Her graciousness and patience in the face of this delay was most appreciated.

Captain Dick)

 

 

Axehead

Not the nightmarish nemesis of cabinets past, but The Captain,s latest quilt and template offering to lucky Onions. The template/instruction packets may be all sold, but you can see the quilt in The Quilt Shop. (When all the pictures are working!)

*BAD PEOPLE*
Wicked ones who convert treadle machine stands into plant stands, tables, etc..
(see also Cannibals, *CENSORED*, Good Lil, Cannibals, Historical AssAssins, Treadle Trashers, Treadle Thrashers)

Badge, also Badged Machine

A Badged Machine was made by one or more manufacturers to be marketed under another name, usually a locality or department store. For example, Harris was a company that badged machines made by a variety of manufacturers, including New Home.

(see also Medallion)

Bird,s Nest

Thread loops you would really not prefer to see behind or under your needle. (see also Gopher Guts, Thread Barf)

BO

Before Onion.  The condition of an OSM before it fell into an Onion,s loving hands.

May also refer to the smell of the OSM,s cabinet or case before an Onion,s attentions.

BEC

"By Edict of the Captain"  Every now and again, there is some disagreement in Treadleonia.  Usually it is worked out in a day or two, with an appropriate solution evidenced by the preponderance of opinion in the posts.  Occasionally, this is not so, and it becomes apparent that a decision must be made before the situation falls into actual controversy.  In such cases, The Captain fulfills his role as Benevolent Despot and simply issues and edict as to the resolution.

Belt-Driven Motor

Until recently, most electric machines (otherwise known as "e-machines") were driven by an exposed belt, running from an exposed motor.   Such machines are often candidates for removal of the belt and motor and mounting in a treadle for people powered operation.

Belt-less

A modern machine that does not have an exposed belt, or in the case of some older e-machines, that is driven by a small rubber wheel, rather than a belt.  This is known as "friction drive".  It is generally very smooth, but is not readily converted to treadle operation, as the hand wheel usually lacks a groove for the treadle belt.

Boat Anchor

An exceptionally pitiful OSM, unloved, abused, uncared for, and now only good for

(see also Schrott)

Boat Shuttle

This term is used in reference to very old shuttles used in some of the transverse shuttle machines.  The top of the bobbin is open, rather than enclosed, and the long spindle bobbin is visible.  The effect looks very much like an open rowboat carrying the spindle bobbin.

Breadbox

A curved wooden cover (for a machine head) that looks like a breadbox or RFD mailbox.

Bullet Shuttle

This is a later shuttle type, in which the spindle bobbin is fully enclosed. The bobbin is fully enclosed and the unit is pointed on one end, resembling a bullet.  It also resembles a space ship, and in modern times that term is cropping up as well i.e. "space shuttle"

Cannibals

People who turn treadle sewing machines into plant stands, usually throwing away the head.  They often also sell off the drawers separately.  This is an entirely different operation than using an old machine that can't be restored as a parts source.   (see also Bad People, Cannibals, *CENSORED*,  Good Lil, Cannibals, Historical AssAssins, Treadle Trashers)

Captain, The

Treadleonia,s Fearless Leader, ListMaster, and originator of the Treadleonian World & website we enjoy!   (Editorial Comment:    "Oh, brother!")

Centennial Medallion

A badge or medallion on some Singer machines indicating the machine was intended for sale during the company,s 100th anniversary celebration.  ( 1951)  It does NOT mean the machine is over 100 years old!

Chain Stitch

A continuous loop stitch, using only one thread and no bobbin.  This is the stitch on the top of feed bags.  Can be easily unraveled, even if you weren't planning on it happening, but is also very fast and smooth.  Commonly used today in the fashion show world, where exhibited garments may have to be modified quickly to fit specific models.

Chases Cars

It,s a dog!  Not a very desirable machine.
 
Coffin Top

A rectangular wooden cover for a machine head that looks a lot like a coffin.

Clutch Wheel

This is the small wheel inside the hand wheel, and usually provides the means of taking the machine out of drive so that bobbins can be wound without needle movement.

Cranky Treadle

The native folk dance of Treadleonia.  Nominally a line dance, it is performed by couples in the traditional Treadleonian marriage ceremony.  It has become the official Treadleonian national dance.  You have to see this one demonstrated at a TOGA or mini-TOGA.  No written explanation would make sense.

Deja Gone

That sinking feeling when everyone tells you about the GORGEOUS whatever, i.e. treadle/handcrank/cabinet/puzzle box you just missed at the estate sale/auction/flea market.  Also, depression when the object of your desires appears before you with a "SOLD sign you arrived at the estate sale at zero-dark-thirty to be number 11 in line and ten people were allowed in the home for starters.

Direct Drive

Direct drive is a means of providing direct mechanical power from the motor to the mechanism.  Sometimes referred to as "gear drive".  The Singer 201 is the outstanding example of this system, though the 101 and 15-91 also employed it.

Doily Disease

Usually evidenced by circular water stains on the treadle top, indicating that plants were placed there, directly on a doily, i.e. no dish under them.   In extreme cases, where plant watering overran the container, the treadle may have lifting veneer from water damage. (see also PlantPee)

Donor Machine

A non-functional machine parted out so that other machine heads may thrive and sew.

dremls

dremels (more correctly spelled "dremls") are tiny, very mischievous creatures native to Treadleonia.  They are usually prone to minor mischief such as tangling thread, hiding scissors, etc.   In modern times, drmls have become very fond of occupying computers and wreaking their havoc there.  If really po'ed, they can cause major damage to sewing machines, totally fouling up projects etc., to may completely crash computers. You DO NOT want to take drmls lightly!   The word "dreml" or "dremel" is never capitalized.  They regularly exchange messages among themselves by computer  (in earlier times by Underwood typewriters) but are not heavy enough or large enough to operate shift keys simultaneously with a letter.  Because they are unable to do this, the resent it when others do, especially as regards their species name, or individual names.  Additional material on drmls can be found in The University Library.

 E-Machine

Eeeeeeee! A machine requiring electricity to function.

Faceplate

Why do they call it a faceplate when it,s the chrome or nickel access cover on the left side of the machine and it doesn,t face you?  Someday, research must be done on this, but suffice to say, this is the name for the plate that covers the foot lifter and needle shafts.

Feed Dogs

Those little ridges under the sewing machine foot that move the fabric evenly (we hope) along.

Feltpack

Forty-five years of compressed lint packed under the feed dogs of an old, or neglected, sewing machine.

Fiddle Base

The unique and elegant base on some very OSMs, shaped like a fiddle or violin.

Flywheel

More commonly referred to as the drive wheel, i.e. the large wheel in a treadle that provides the drive for the machine.  Note that this does not refer to the hand wheel, but only to the wheel in the treadle.   A point of some confusion is that modern industrial machines using very large motors, may well have a true mechanical flywheel, a heavy wheel designed to continue running after the application of power is ended.  Should you meet one of these critters, be careful.  They'll sew your hand even after you have turned them off!

Free Sewing Machine

A brand name, made by the Free Sewing Machine Co., not necessarily one found on the curb.  The company CEO's name really was "Free".   An electrified Free was a Free Westinghouse, as the two companies cooperated in putting them out.  Free Westinghouse should not be abbreviated FW.  An FW is a Singer Featherweight.

FW

Singer Featherweight (Models 221, 222) a petite Singer electric machine highly prized by quilters for its wonderful straight stitch, light weight and portability. Not to be confused with < head machines such as the Singer 66.   Unfortunately, they are electric and offer little practical possibility for conversion to people power.

Godzilla

A flat crinkly finish found on some machines, as opposed to "shiny black. Gold decals on such machines are small and plain.  This finish is black on Singers, may be other colors on other brands.  It's purpose was two-fold.  It was non-glare, and was also cheaper to put on.

GoJo

Brand name for a non-pumice hand cleaner favored by some Onions to clean old machines.

Good Lil, Cannibals

People who turn treadles into plant stands, BUT save all the heads, parts, manuals, etc. for TO scroungers to pick up.
(see also Bad People, Cannibals, *CENSORED*,  Good Lil, Cannibals, Historical AssAssins, Treadle Trashers)              

Gopher Guts

The wad of tangled up old threads jamming up the bobbin in a sewing machine you bought that someone said wouldn't work.  It may work beautifully when you take out the Gopher Guts.

(see also Bird,s Nest, Thread Barf)

Green Onion

A new member of Treadle On.

Grunion

Slang for a Grun (i.e. Green) Onion in Germany.  (Formal term: Grun Zwiebel)

HC

(see Hand Crank)

Hand Crank

A machine powered by hand turning a special handle mechanism attached to a spoked handwheel.

Hand Wheel

The part you grab & turn at the flea market when you want to see if the sewing machine will still work.  The large wheel on the right side of the machine.

Happy Dance

What Onions do when they find a treasure of a coveted machine (or a donor machine) at a bargain price, or complete a difficult project, or get good news, or whatever.  May often involve the steps of the Cranky Treadle.

Head / Machine Head

The OSM itself sans base, stand or cabinet.

Historical AssAssins

Double Ass = Cannibalizer of treadles to make plant stands and/or end tables. (see also Bad People, Cannibals, *CENSORED*,  Good Lil, Cannibals, Treadle Trashers)

Japanning

Japanning is a process that involves baking the finish in an  oven. It is much akin to ceramic glaze.

Kildare

Hand crank that was made for the Irish trade by Jones of  England.  It looks just like the Jones, but it says Kildare. 

Links

Computer term referring to addresses of other, related web sites.   The links page on the Treadle On site is sponsored by the Treadleonian Professional Golfing Association.

Lockstitch

The two-thread balanced stitch (top thread and bobbin thread) found on most sewing machines.

Lotus

A type of decorative decal trim on Singer machines featuring stylized Egyptian Lotus blossoms. Also, a particular metal design in metal on the faceplate, etc.

Medallion

The logo or nameplate mounted on the pillar of the machine, especially Singers. The standard Singer medallion is a shuttle. There is also the later "S" medallion and a special Centennial medallion used for machines sold in1951. I've also heard of other types of "celebration" medallions, such as the Chicago World's Fair, San Francisco Exposition, Canadian National Exhibition, Texas Centennial.  There may be others. Medallions are also called "badges".

Memphis

A type of decorative decal trim on some Singer machines featuring a Memphis, Egypt theme, with a large sphinx on the base surface. Egyptian motif decals were also used on other brands of machines.

Mini-Toga

A small or impromptu gathering of Onions. Usually of a day or less duration. As with most things Treadleonian, the definition is not precise. A one day gathering could be a big deal (a TOGA) with lots of advance hype and folks coming from great distances. A Mini-Toga could be just a smaller gathering or even just a couple of Onions getting together because one was passing through town, or it could be one Onion visiting another and staying for a few days. (See also: TOGA.)

Motor Boss

The raised area around the screw hole on the left side of the pillar of Singer machines, to which the motor is mounted.   Hand cranks are available that will fit this same mounting, so a Singer machine that has a motor boss can be converted to hand crank.

Navel Reserve

The big lump of lint that thrives in center mass under the feed dogs on (Before Onion)OSMs.

NAYY

Stands for "No Affiliation Yada Yada", a disclaimer of relationship when recommending a source.

Needle Clamp

The little nit-noid separate metal thingy that falls off when you unloosen the needle screw on OSMs, and the needle won,t stay put without it. No clamp, no sew, oh woe.

Onion, or Treadle Onion, or Green Onion

Early on, someone tying "Treadleonian" slipped and typed "Treadleonion". This was siezed upon and it was declared that henceforth, all Treadleonians were Onions, and also that onions were one of the main staples of the Treadleonian diet. This designation has, over time, been refined as follows:

New subscribers are Green Onions. A Green Onion is an interested fellow traveler... essentially a wannabe.

Requirements for graduation from Green Onion to Onion are:
acquisition of a working treadle or hand crank and completion of a TOBE exchange or a major sewing project on same, i.e. a significant item of clothing, a quilt, or similar

Progression to Seasoned Onion:
ownership of at least two treadles or hand cranks
Completion of multiple TOBE's
Entry of a completed work in the Treadle On Challenge
Attendance at a TOGA, or, if in remote circumstances, a significant effort to meet up with at least some other Onion

Progression to Wild Onion:
Has lost track of number of treadles and hand cranks, and/or SO has threatened to move out because of lack of room
Children are embarrassed when friends come over
Neighbors refer to "The Crazy Sewing Machine Lady"
Has attended multiple TOGA's
Has an unspecified and essentially uncountable number of TOBE blocks and/or UFO's in the closet

Progression to Super Onion:
All of the above, plus..
Has run a TOBE exchange or sponsored a TOGA

Has made outstanding effort to contact and/or help a Green Onion
Upon being informed of daughter's engagement, says, "Fine, you're getting married... here are the dates that won't work," and hands out a TOGA schedule.
Upon being informed that family is leaving, due to lack of space, replies, "Would you pick up a new can of Liquid Wrech before you go?"

 

Petting

Stroking, patting, slobbering over and coveting someone else,s delightful machine.

Plant Pee

Circles you find on a treadle cabinet lid when the doily under the plant wasn,t big enough.(see also Doily Disease)

Pony Express

A method of getting the perfect OSM delivered cross-country via the loving hands (and wheels) of another Treadle Onion.

OSM

Old Sewing Machine

OSM/BO

An OSM Before Onion, i.e. before it received TLC and/or restoration to sewworthy condition.

OSMG

Old Sewing Machine Guy or Gal or Guru.  An expert in repairing OSMs.


PP Machine

People Powered machine (usually hand crank or treadle operated)

Piedmont

A sewing machine "Made for Hudson's Bay Company" with Singer parts. (see badged machine)
 
Pin Rash

The damage done to decals on the arm of the machine, caused by a piece of cloth sewn around it for use as a pincushion sometime in its past history.

Pitman Rod

The wooden or metal rod connecting the treadle pedal to the drive wheel.

Pitty-Pat Factor

A quality possessed by some machine finds, i.e. they just make you heart go pitty-pat and you are compelled to take them home.  This could be because is it so ugly and in such sad shape that you feel sorry for it, or because it is so beautiful it simply stuns you and you must have it.

Potted Motor

A built-in motor, not an inebriated one. These are found on direct drive Singers, Models 101, some Model 201's and 15-91.   Because of the direct drive, it is not practical to convert these models to treadle or hand crank.  There were a goodly number of 201's made with external motors mounted on a standard motor boss and driven by regular belt drive.  These are considered highly desirable as they can be easily converted to treadle or hand crank power.

Puzzle Box

An amazing little wooden box full of vintage Singer attachments.  The box is so constructed that its sides unfold and lie flat, allowing access to all the attachments.

RedEye

Nothing to do with too many shots of tequila, but a type of colorful decorative decal trim featured on some Singers.


RTLL

(Righty Tighty Lefty Loosie) Mantra for remembering which way to turn screws.  Often very important with a frozen up machine.

RITA

"Romance in The Afternoon", a.k.a. "Lust Amongst the Rust" and "Lust in the Rust" - A serialized novella from TO's early days, formerly available on the website.  The Captain sent us a monthly installment for 18 months months. From time to time, reprints of the entire script are made availabble .  The plot (?) concerned the adventures of various sewing machines and bears in Treadleonia.

Schrott a.k.a. Scrap Metal

An unloved, abused and battered OSM in Germany, now only good as a testing platform for cleaning products and Grunions on the learning curve.

(see also Boat Anchor).

@#$! Screw

Usually a term of endearment meant to encourage the infinitely tiny bobbin case screw to come to Momma or Poppa.  Rarely heard when the bobbin case is dropped in a plastic baggie before the screw is loosened.   Often closely related to the proximity of drmls.

SMR

(Sewing Machine Repairperson)  One who only repairs blindly.

SMS

(Sewing Machine Salesperson)  One who only wants to sell you a sewing machine.


SMG/YSMG/OSMG

(Sewing Machine Guy/Young Sewing Machine Guy/Old Sewing Machine Guy)  One who appreciates and can do or does the above. You can put GAL or GURU in the place of GUY if it pleases you.

Sew worthy

It works! It sews! It,s why there's a TreadleOnia! Singer Shuttle BadgeA badge design on Singer machines featuring an upright boat shuttle in the center design.

Singer "S Badge

A badge design on Singer machines featuring a stylized "S in the shape of a sewing table, as opposed to other badges which featured a shuttle or special badgescommemorating events.

Standard Sewing Machine

A brand name.  One should probably avoid referring to 15 X 1 needles, for instance, as standard needles, but rather identify them as "Regular 15 X 1" needles.  Or was there such a thing as a Regular Sewing Machine?

Transverse Shuttle

Refers to machines with shuttles that go from right to left in a straight line, rather than front to back in an arc. Generally older machines, often handcranks, and often fiddle based.

Thread Barf Thread puke, Thread Sspaghetti

Too much thread in the bobbin case and nowhere to unwind.

(see also Bird,s Nest and Gopher Guts)

Treadle

A OSM motivated by a person rhythmically pushing a pedal that is attached to a Pitman Rod that attaches to the treadle ddrive wheel that runs a belt that turns the handwheel that drives the gear shaft that turns inside the machine head so all the moving parts move in unison so we can SEW.

Treadle Butcher, Treadle AssAssins (emphasis mine)

Those people who turn treadle sewing machines into plant stands and end tables.
(see also Bad People, Cannibals, *CENSORED*, Good Lil, Cannibals, Historical AssAssins, Treadle Trashers)

Treadle-Butchery

The act of butchering a treadle, as in "The whole cabinet had been shrunk both in height and length and reassembled for some other kind of use.

TT

(Treadle Trasher or Treadle Thrasher)

(see also Bad People, Cannibals, *CENSORED*, Good Lil, Cannibals, Historical AssAssins)

TLF

(Treadleonian Liberation Front) All of us rescuing old machines.  Covert communication
method is by writing "TLF" in the dust of the machines we must leave behind.

TO

The TreadleOn e-list or group, or a member Onion thereof.

Treadle Onion

Punny reference to a member of TreadleOn, deriving from an early typo of "Treadleonian".

TOBE

"Treadle On Block Exchange".  Quilt block exchange using a preset block design, and using People Powered machines. At the time of this writing, there have been nine such exchanges, all featuring 6 1/2" blocks. See "Treadle On Block Exchange" in The Quilt Shop at the web site. Actually, these blocks make an excellent training program for new quilters, and all the instructions are posted.

TOGA

"Treadle On Gathering and Academy".  A bunch of Onions converging from a wide geographical area to swap parts, knowledge, food and stories. Over the years, TOGA's have gotten to be more frequent and generally speaking, larger events... sometimes four or five days, sometimes only one, but involving 30 to 50 people. (See also: "Mini-Toga".)

Treadleonian Professional Golfing Association 

The organization that sponsore the Links Page on the Treadle On web site.

Vibrating Shuttle

The sewing mechanism using the "bullet" shuttle, or long bobbin. This mechanism, called VS for short, was the most common, and most copied, sewing system in the world, and is the one that initially put sewing machines in most homes. It can be instantly recognized by virtue of the shuttle traveling in an arc from front to back of the machine.

Walking Foot Machine

"Walking Foot" refers to an alternate fabric feeding system, in which there is the equivalent of a set of feed dogs on the sewing machine foot. These may work alone, as in the Davis Vertical Feed machines, or in conjunction with regular feed dogs, a common system on modern machines, especially Pfaff and Juki.

Walking Foot, or Even Feed, Attachment

There is a common modern attachment to provide a feed system for the top of the fabric. In reality, it is not a true walking foot in it's mechanical action, and therefor the term "even feed foot" is often used for it. These attachments are available for most machines and are a tremendous aide in quilting, as they tend to prevent fabric foldovers.

Vidalia Onion

A very SWEET TreadleOnion

With many thanks to the following kind individuals who shared

JoAnn Keenan

Nancy

Karen

Judy Z

Lynn in Washington

Tonie in Vegas

CrankyMae in PA
Cindy P in Minnesota

Marilyn Mattfeld

Louise -- in mid-Missouri
Belle Hancey in Atascadero, CA

The Captain (of course!)
Nicholas R. Hubbell
Carolyn in L.A.
Lin in FL
JanR in so.Dakota

 

Rose in Lynnwood, WA

Sewfun in Oregon 

Donna Kohler

Vicki in Raleigh, NC

and profound apologies to anyone I accidentally left out! I hope you have enjoyed reading the Lexicon. Please continue to send me your suggestions of terms to include and terms that perplex, so we may all TreadleOn together.

Best,

Valerie the Grunion (Grun Onion) In S. Germany

 

 

 

Social Customs and Law: Social custom in Treadleonia is much the same as on any list, but perhaps more successful. For legal details, see the welcome letter you get when you subscribe. Treadle On is much looser than most lists, and players rarely get called for being off topic unless it really gets out of hand or goes on for too long, in which case the Benevolent Despot steps in. In terms of social custom, some of the primary responsibilities of citizenship are to support fellow Treadleonians, offering encouragement to their sewing, restoration and learning efforts, and comfort when it is called for; to support the projects of Treadle On as much as you can, since these are the media through which the learning experiences are translated into reality; and to remember that our primary goal is to promote the regular use of people powered machines as primary sewing tools, as opposed to merely collecting or having them.

Time in Treadleonia: Time in Treadleonia is extremely relative. However, no one has yet figured out exactly what it is relative to. It has been observed that time was invented in the first place only so that everything wouldn't happen at once. The inhabitants of this world (or any other) could not handle that. In Treadleonia there really isn't any time, as you know it. Everything happens when it happens, or can happen, unless it doesn't happen, in which case it will happen, or perhaps has already happened, so there is no sense in worryiing about what is happening... or hasn't happened, because it probably did happen, or you just weren't aware that it had happened.

Population: At the time of this posting, the population of Treadleonia was nearing 800, of which 80% are on the full response list and 20% on digest.

Historical Note: Treadle On and Treadleonia were originally the creation of Captain Dick. Much of the development has been through the efforts of the Treadleonians who have actively participated in things.  

Rainbear Skydive Corps: Treadleonia is basically pacifist. The only thing close to a disciplined force they have is the Rainbear Skydive Corps, an enlisted force of highly trained parachuting teddy bears, available for search and rescue and other emergency operations. These bears jump from powerful, giant kites. They are highly trained, having gone through six weeks of ground school before making their qualifying jump. Members of the Corps can usually be found in the Bear's Den or training and hanging around the Kite Field.

dremls (also spelled "dremel" though that is incorrect): dremls are a race of small, vaguely human-like beings who inhabit the mountains and caves of Treadleonia. It is sometimes thought that they have mild magic powers. Whether this is true or not, it is undeniable that they are noted mischief makers. dremls are not much talked about, perhaps for fear of attracting their attention. However, on one noted occasion, there was a general discussion of the little creatures, which was captured for posterity and has been placed here for the benefit of serious researchers. Further information about dremls can be found by visiting the department of resource and environmental management library.

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 National Dance: The national dance of Treadleonia is the Cranky Treadle. This dance, based on the actions involved in the use of our beloved machines, and the use of their accessory attachments, is performed and/or taught at TO Gatherings.

Further Treadleonian Trivia will be posted here as it occurs to us