My name is Donnita and I have a passion for vintage treadle and hand crank sewing machines. Kind of sounds like I should be in rehab! My husband would not disagree. Thank goodness he has a growing collection of golf clubs. It doesn’t hurt, either, that he sees me using my machines. I can sew in most any room in the house; and do.
Many people have treadle machines that have been handed down to them and are currently sitting in a corner of their sewing room. If you are one of these people, I encourage you to dust off that gem and put her to good use. There is nothing more relaxing than treadling! I buy, sell, and service all brands of people-powered sewing machines. I invite you to follow along as I pick up strays that just need a little love and attention to get them back to working order. I have yet to bring home a machine that could not be saved.
Be sure and check out all the machines in the Museum Pages. You will find that I am partial to machines made by the White Sewing Machine Company. Not only because White is my maiden name, but also because they were so well made and are a joy to operate. You will also find a number of machines under the “Other” tab which have some very unique features. And yes, you will see that I have named each of them. You might want to grab a cup of coffee before heading to the “museum”.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, you spot a machine that needs to be rescued, or would like to have your machine serviced.
Treadle Queen 
Hi. I have a White Sewing Machine VS 1 (I think…it looks like your Mattie that replaced Wilma). I need help in trying to locate a manual for it or at least be told how to thread it and what size needles it takes and which was the needle goes in. Can you please help as your site is the only information I have found on it. Thank you so very much!!!
Hi Rose. The White VS1 takes a 20×1 needle…..set needle with groove to the left and then thread left to right. I will email you a picture of the threading page of the manual. Enjoy your machine!
Rose, if you do not have a 20×1 needle, you can probably get by using a regular 15×1 needle. Push it up as far as it will go, then pull it down a little and tighten. Donnita
I have a white VS 111. And wondering what wood the cabinets were made from and what needles. I have no manual but the machine has original bobbins and shuttle plus extra feet.
Thanks
Leigh.
Hello Leigh. I imagine cabinets were made from different woods, but I think the majority of White cabinets were made of Oak. White had their own “forest”. The VS machines take a 20 x 1 needle. If you do not have a 20×1 needle, you can probably get by using a regular 15×1 needle. Push it up as far as it will go, then pull it down a little and tighten. Enjoy!
Your Majesty,
I thought I wanted a treadle machine, until I realized there is a whole panoply of seeing machines in wonderful cabinets.
I just acquired a White Family Rotary in a 4-drawer cabinet. It came with all sorts of sewing notions, including 6 original bobbins! (My White Rotary electric in a Martha Washington cabinet only has 1.)
I chose my White after passing up 2 Singer treadles at a local estate sales store. I went back to to take a closer look. The sadder looking of the 2 is a fiddle plate on an Eastlake looking cabinet on an older iron base. I paid $35 for the WFM. I could have bought the fiddle plate for $35. Today I saw what I belt is a new price sticker: $15.
I am just learning the proper way to clean/oil/refurbish an antique sewing machine. This Singer Model 12 (I believe) [serial numbers 5403103-272103] may just be beyond my present skillet. Is this something you’d be interested in?
I can send you photos.
*Sorry for the typos! Autocorrect!☺️
Sorry, I am not interested in acquiring any more machines. I am beginning to downsize what I have. ☺️
Donnita
Hello, I just bought a 1906 Florence Rotary and I am looking for a manual and/or information on what needle to use. Any information is greatly appreciated. Linda
It uses a regular 15×1 needle. Flat side goes to the right, groove to the left, and threads left to right.
Hi, about 30 years ago I inherited my grandma’s treadle sewing machine and for all these years had it beautifully displayed in my sunroom surrounded by plants. I recently sold my house and no longer have a place for the machine which is currently sitting in a storage unit; unfortunately, no one in my family is interested in taking it. In trying to research its manufacturer, I came upon your site and learned from your image museum, that I have the 1890s Queen Flora Fiddle base machine with the original “White” cabinet. I am possibly selling the machine to an antique dealer, and would like to know if you could provide me with some information as to its worth? Thank you for any information you can provide. Robyn
Not much of an answer I know, but it is basically worth what someone will play. I think I paid $80 for a pristine machine head and bought the cabinet separately for $125 with a not so nice machine in it. For a fiddle base, I would think you could get $175-$200 if it is in good shape with good decals.