When we first started thinking about moving to an off grid lifestyle, one of the top things I was really worried about missing was my electric sewing machine.
Back when we first started trying to cut electronics from our life, I had only recently taken up quilting. It quickly became one of my favorite hobbies, and the idea of being relegated to only hand sewing or working on my projects at someone else’s house just wasn’t gonna work! I needed a sewing machine that would work without electricity.
Finding My Machine
Enter: the treadle sewing machine.
These machines use foot power to rock the treadle, which is connected to the flywheel, which turns the belt, which turns the wheel at the top, which makes the machine work. (I don’t know how the inner workings are put together, that will have to be left to someone much smarter than me lol)
This was how our great-grandmothers used to sew, and it was the solution to my dilemma. So I kept an eye out for treadle sewing machines at thrift stores and antique shops, but I didn’t have much luck. Once I found one on Craigslist, but they wanted $600+ for it, and I couldn’t justify spending that much on a (at the time) back-up sewing machine.
Then one day, we were walking around town and noticed one of our neighbors having a yard sale – actually, she was closing out her antique store, so everything she had for sale was really nice old stuff! And low and behold, what did we find? A beautiful early 20th century treadle sewing machine! It was in excellent condition, and she only wanted $200 for it. Obviously I had to have it.
Only trouble was… I had absolutely no clue how to use a treadle sewing machine, or even where to start learning. No one I knew had one, and my machine turned out to be fairly unique, so it was hard to find resources online.
Being Patient…
Life was busy with the house remodel, and by the end of the year I was very pregnant and violently ill with pregnancy sickness, which never ended until I had the baby – at which point I became very busy with newborn life! Motherhood took over my free time and learning a new crafting skill had to take a back seat.
So my sewing machine sat collecting dust in the spare room, and I tried not to feel guilty every time I piled a stack of clutter on it. When we temporarily moved into my parent’s garage while the yurt was being built, the only place to put it was basically in the middle of the room, where it taunted me daily. But it was too cramped and cluttered in that space to have the lid open often enough to regularly practice with it. It sat for nearly another year in the yurt, and made a great stand for our first Christmas tree.
We had our second baby last February, which threw me into the rigors of newbornhood again, but by early this summer, and after a little furniture rearranging, I finally had the space and the time to really get to work on my first project!
Learning New Skills
It actaully didn’t take long to get into a good rhythm! Once I figured out how to fill the bobbin, thread the needle, and where to put my feet to keep the wheel turning smoothly, things moved along pretty quickly. I practiced on some scrap fabric and learned from a few mistakes there.
Once I felt fairly confident that I could sew straight seams, I made a baby quilt for my sister’s little girl, then another one for my other niece, then some potholders for a friend. With each project my skills improved and I became more familiar with the machine.
Now I’m working on a twin-size quilt for my oldest daughter, and it’s coming along nicely! I’ve also tried my hand at making a couple dresses for her dolls, although I definitely have a ways to go before I’m proficient at following a pattern. But it’s been fun to practice and try new things!
It was a long time coming, but I am excited to say that I am finally sewing without electricity on a regular basis. Since having the treadle sewing machine set up, I’ve been able to sew more consistently than I ever did with my electric machine! Since there’s no plug or pressure foot with cords hanging around, I can leave my projects out without having to worry about the kids pulling the machine down on themselves (or electrocuting themselves… or sewing over their fingers by accident…) So much peace of mind!
And since I can leave it out all the time, whenever I need to do a quick project, I just sit down, whirrrrwhirrrrwhirrrr, and it’s done – no lugging out the sewing machine or plugging it in required!
Having a treadle sewing machine is easily my favorite off grid amenity. I love the way it sounds, and it’s just so fun to use! Even if I was on the grid, I would never want to be without it again.
Have you ever tried using alternative methods for your favorite craft or hobby? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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