Franklin Treadle Machine - Review and Test

Follow along as I demo and test out our new 1911 Franklin treadle sewing machine!
Check out our other channels as well:
EndWrench Rookie:
/ @endwrenchrookie
RichSoul Creative:
/ @richsoulcreative
Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
5:18 Machine Setup
22:45 Test Project
32:26 Outro
#sewingmachine #quilting #vintage

[@jessiemc1816]

"And that's how this sickness grows." 😊

[@NeverTooMany2023]

LOL. Facts! Thanks for watching!

[@Rose-hr2bb]

I have a 1915 Franklin for 27 years i have lived off the grid.. this machine has been a work horse for me , i have made everything from clothes to quilts to sell , i will never sell it ❤excellent machine

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!

[@lynnmahar6915]

My first husband and I bought one from a Salvation Army in 1969. I think it was $10. or less. We were told they were harder to find because they were being sent to Africa. I sewed my wedding dress that year on a treadle. I now have this model machine. It's gorgeous! I moved into this house last year and have a room dedicated to sewing. I have a 1930's small sewing machine, electric, looking pretty in there.(I haven't sewed on a machine in decades)LOL! Time to move my Franklin in there and clean her up! And start playing! I heard a story years ago about women in the sewing factories before the Industrial Revolution sewing with their treadles and what they found out. It's slightly a bawdy story but very amusing and funny. I'll only repeat it if you ask. LOL!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is great! How neat to have such history with these machines :) It is super nice to have a dedicated sewing space right? I am sure that you will have so much fun with your Franklin and that you will pick up right where you left off. We always like a good story...If it is not for all ears, feel free to email us at [e-mail]. Thanks for sharing your story and thank you for watching!

[@elizabethbare4208]

I wish my husband was involved in my sewing and sewing machine hobby haha. What a cool machine.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Lol. Thanks. We are very lucky to share the same passions and hobbies. Thanks for watching!

[@Cabbage_Town]

I just bought one today for 25$. The booklet is half missing. Looks like a mouse was chewing the bottom, but the machine came with a bunch of accessories and I have no idea how to use them. I started a quilt using my mothers 1960s sears and roebuck sewing machine years ago after my brother passed. I wasn’t in the headspace to finish, but I might just using this new machine. Great video. New sub

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you for your feedback and also for the sub :) Wow, great find for 25 dollars! I just love using the treadle machines. I am sure you will get great use out of yours. Glad to hear you are getting back into quilting. Best of luck and many stitches to your future!

[@RonThompson]

I have that exact machine too. Except my base isnt the same. I love the Scarbs too. It reminds me of Band Journey Album covers (Dating myself lol). Love the video

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is so cool. You are right...it does look like the Journey album covers. It is funny, I didn't realize that their album artwork was beetles until recently. Very cool though. Thanks for watching!

[@nmd1211]

Your excitement is fun to watch! I have a Free No. 5 machines, essentially the same machine, a Singer clone. You might be able to find a manual for this machine at ISMACS, which is a great resource for vintage machines; also, you should be able to loosen the clutch on the right side of the fly wheel so the needle does not go up and down when winding a bobbin. I often do not loosen it when I have just oiled the machine and need to wind a bobbin - get two tasks done at once! Also, I treadle with two feet, one on the rear part of the pedal, the other on the front.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Lol...ya, forgot to loosen the clutch :) It is remarkable how hard it is to remember everything that needs done once the lights and camera turn on, especially at my age :) I am getting a lot of advice about using two feet to treadle as you suggest. I am going to have to give that a try. Thanks for the advice. Thanks for watching and following along!

[@josequantro57]

Absolutely love your channel. You have a great selection of vintage machines. I just recently got the bug myself am the proud owner of three and itching to add to my collection. They are harder to come by here in Ireland and cost more. Keep it going I'm checking in for new videos everyday. Love the take your dog to work short.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Welcome all the way to Ireland! What are your 3 machines? What machines are you itching to acquire? It is a slippery slope. Pretty soon your friends and family will be looking at you funny. :) Thank you for the wonderful comments and for watching and following along with the journey!

[@gaylescovel7308]

Well done! You done better than i would have for sure, 🤗. Looking forward to more, 😁👀❣

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! It's beginner's luck :) More to come... Thank you for watching and following along!

[@isaysewquilting1796]

I have 3 treadle sewing machines and one of my bucket lists is to make a quilt on one and I actually started working on a dresden quilt this past week. Such a satisfying feeling. What a feet of engineering and artwork. Btw I was told that all treadle machine stitches have a slight slant to them and that's how you can tell if it was stitched on a treadle or not. I don't know if that's true, but it's true with me Damascus, Singer and White Treadles.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Wow, that is so cool. I would love to collect more treadle machines but they take up so much room. I definitely love sewing on our Franklin. It is so rewarding to make something on such an antiquated piece of equipment. That is very interesting about the slanted stitch. I haven't noticed that before but sound neat anyway :) Good luck with your dresden quilt. I am sure it will be lovely :) Thanks for watching and following along!

[@robinr6399]

Truly an inspirational video. I recently got one of these Franklin treadle machines. It was a joy to watch you put it through the paces and create something beautiful. Thank you!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! What a wonderfully kind thing for you to say! I am glad that you enjoyed it. Good luck with your treadle adventures! Thank you for watching and following along!

[@joantest]

I like videos where people actually sew on their machines. Not enough people do that. I kinda wish I could have heard it working for a few mins.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I am glad you liked it. I had fun making the video. Thanks for watching!

[@karin0963]

I am new to quilting, so I'm also looking forward to watching you finish the quilt on a treadle.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Ya, that ought to be a hoot. Not sure if I am up to the challenge, but it will be entertaining regardless watching me sweat it out. :) Thanks for watching!

[@LucilleCarmichaelPDX]

Yup, manufactured by the Domestic sewing machine company for Sears, who sold it under their Franklin label. Pretty much an exact clone of a Singer 27/127. I have the Domestic branded version, really quite a nice machine. Love the parlor cabinet! Treadling can be VERY addictive. Did you know that a your Sewmor 606 will fit into a Singer treadle cabinet? That setup is my daily-driver. Give it a try ;)

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much for the tip! sounds like a good idea. Also, thank you for the clarification on my treadle info. Ya, I really like the parlor cabinet as well. It really adds to the mystique of the machine. I need to make a video of our Sewmor machines soon. They are such awesome stitchers. Thanks again for watching and commenting!

[@debashistosh3734]

I have a singer 27 treadle machine. Love the machine

[@WaterNai]

@TimLatimer does wonderful free-motion quilting on antique treadle machines. He shows how to make some quilting feet, if there isn’t one for your machine. He has a slippery mat that he puts down on machines that don’t have a feed-dog drop, and he has even taken the feed-dogs out of a machine he wanted to setup for quilting.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I will definitely check check out his videos. Sounds like a couple of really cool ideas on how to free motion on the treadle. I haven't tackled free motion quilting as of yet. My wife has promised to teach me soon! Thanks for watching and following along!

[@WaterNai]

@@NeverTooMany2023 My pleasure! Looking forward to the upcoming videos from you and your wife.

[@shelleychalmers4277]

o! You pretty well answered your question why the thread in the shuttle has to run clockwise - it creates the tension for the lower thread. Every machine is different. Treadles are a lot of fun to use. Enjoy! Such an addictive hobby!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you for the comment! Ya, they all seem to have a different rime and reason for their processes. The shuttle ones are definitely interesting. Thread tension is some kind of magic that still blows my mind :) Thanks again!

[@PKEDRM]

I now have 4 treadle machines, two of which are awaiting tables. The Decker is one my husband gifted me because I had to leave my first sewing machine, a White treadle, behind 55+ years ago. Once I got her cleaned, oiled, and parts replaced she is sewing wonderfully. I took on a job for my woodworking friend, in exchange for some cabinet work, making 60+ beanbags for cornhole games for our church youth group. My Decker worked hard and about halfway through the project I realized she does have a reverse stitch function! Happy day! I don't know much about her but I think she is a 1920's Singer clone and I can use low shank Singer feet on her. My other machines are 2 Whites, a Minnesota, and an electric WWII era Kenmore. I have a total of 10 machines now-modern, vintage, and antique. I can't part with any of them, but space in our home demands that I must part with a few so I can rescue some others from the trash heap.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is great! Thanks for sharing. Yes, find homes for a few and then continue saving them :) We have way too many as well but I can't seem to let them go. We have given all of our family members machines but past that I don't want to let them go :) That is cool that you have so many treadle machines. They are such a great part of the sewing machine historical story. Can you imagine when they were new? To be so lucky to have owned one back then. It is crazy to think of how times have changed. Thanks for watching and following along!

[@yellowlabsrule]

How do you find parts? Trying to restore a Franklin and feeling a bit lost! Are there online communities? Thanks!

[@snickerbuckle]

I have one of these! My teenage son spotted it at a thrift store. He came home and told me it wasn’t a Singer, and it had scarabs on it. I was so excited to bring it home! I haven’t cleaned it up yet, but I can tell the decals are going to be beautiful. No table though, maybe someday I’ll find a cabinet like yours to put her in.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is exciting! Isn't it amazing what you can find at a thrift store? I am sure that you will find a cool table for it :) Thanks for watching!

[@karin0963]

I inherited a New Home treadle manufactured in 1887 from my grandmother (It's my profile pic). I got some history from my aunt. My grandparents bought it and my grandpa refurbished the cabinet. My aunt told me she made flannel shirts for my two brothers in the 50s on that machine. They were twins and recently passed away, so this makes the machine all the more special. I've had it almost a year and plan to learn how to use. It was stored in my sister's house for years, I paid a pretty penny to ship from WA to TX. But it is worth it. ❤️ Thank you for your video.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the comments. Your story is why I LOVE this community! The machines that are passed down through generations no longer hold value...they are priceless! I am sorry to hear that you have lost your brothers. It is inspiring to me that you will continue their legacy through your family's machine. I am touched that I could be just a small part of your story. :) Thanks again for watching and following along with my journey!

[@karin0963]

@@NeverTooMany2023 I forgot to mention something. The cabinet has a coffin lid. Taped on the inside is a typed letter dated March 2, 1976 from New Home to my grandmother. She had inquired on the manufacturing date and value. They said 1887, but could not give value, there was no record available at that time. Like you said, the value is priceless!! Unfortunately there is no manual with it, so I need to do some more research.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is cool. I am not familiar with the term "coffin lid". Nice that you have a letter from the manufacturer to your Grandmother. That is the kind of thing that you see on The Antiques Road Show. Super cool. You should check out my wife's channel RichSoul Creative. She does a full revival of our 1886 Singer treadle Fiddle Base machine. You might find it interesting for future maintenance. Thanks again for watching!

[@karin0963]

@@NeverTooMany2023 Awesome! I will definitely check out her channel. Thank you.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

No problem. Hope it helps you out. Good luck with your future projects!

[@raycycleit8311]

You probably know by now, but you should dis-engage the clutch on the flywheel when you load your bobbin...cool video. Thanks

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Ya, I forgot to disengage the clutch. It is remarkably hard to remember all the stuff to do when the camera is on :) Thanks for the tip anyway. Thanks for watching!

[@teresatierney4817]

Thank you. I had not yet figured out how to thread or fill bobbins on my recently acquired Franklin. …. The machine I learned in also had no reverse. I would turn the item around to sew back over the stitching. Your solution is simpler.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I am glad to have helped in some way. Good luck with your new machine. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@FiddleyBits]

Enjoy your enthusiasm and appreciate your willingness to share!! I've been treadling for over 40 years now and it is by far my preference over electric machines. I have a Franklin just like yours and enjoy it, too, but I love all of my over 70+ antique/vintage machines. Are you two in Idaho? I'm in E. Washington near Ritzville. You are doing great with your treadling!! Everyone finds their own personal-treadling-technique that they like best, but after you get a little more comfortable with treadling, I would recommend you start placing your feet diagonally, with your dominate foot (right in your case) at the upper right side and the ball (or even toes) of your left foot at the bottom left corner of the treadle pedal. This is what most long-time treadlers eventually settle into doing. It's really a very balanced technique and you can treadle easily and smoothly for hours. I piece and free-motion quilt with my treadles all day, with no problem.You also eventually get to where you rarely have to use your hand on the hand wheel to start sewing. I just nudge the treadle pedal with my feet a bit while watching the hand-wheel-spin direction out of the corner of my eye and can almost always start treadling again with both hands on the fabric. Maybe I'll do a video showing how to learn to start a treadle hands-free. 😊 That might help a few folks. Keep up to good work!!! You are doing great and your videos are very well done and helpful to many, I'm sure.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much for the nice comment! Wow, you have over 70 vintage machines? That is great! Ya, I figured that I would probably need to learn "proper" treadle technique at some point. I am definitely new to it (and sewing in general), and kinda just figure stuff out as I go. I really appreciate your input and advice. I will keep it in mind as I continue to practice my skills. Yes, we are in South West Idaho, near Boise. I haven't heard of Ritzville. Eastern Washington is beautiful country, if my memory serves me... Thanks for watching and following along with our journey!

[@WaterNai]

You’re only a few hours away from each other. It would be wonderful to see a collaboration video with you two.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That would be fun :)

[@gaylescovel7308]

@@WaterNai , agreed!

[@user-zx9cf6xb4q]

You can get reverse if you buy special parts. I remember it works for any Singer with knob. I can't remember the name of this thing, but it was common back in time. Also don't forget use stop motion screw for winding bobbin) Do you plan to apply varnish (AutoGlym) on machine and polish the nickeled parts?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That sounds pretty neat. I was not aware of any extra parts that would make your machine back-stitch. Thanks for the tip. LOL...ya, I forgot to loosen the clutch when I loaded the bobbin. It is really hard to remember all the steps when the camera is on :) . I would like to polish the silver parts. I generally just lightly clean the body of these with good sewing machine oil to remove build-up and bring back shine. I have never attempted to apply varnish to one of them. Thanks for all the great comments and thanks for watching!

[@chascatt]

The White is on my list too. I call it the great white whale. Look at it again and you will see a big cartoon whale

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Lol. That is funny. What ever animal form it takes on it sure is cool! Thanks for watching!

[@abycats2003]

You need to join Treadleon and ISMAACS!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

I will have to check those out. Thanks. I thought that the ISMAACS was the site where you look up the serial number of your Vintage Singer machines, but I wasn't aware there was something to join there. I have never heard of treadleon. It sounds like fun though :) Thanks for watching!

[@abycats2003]

Treadleon is where you will learn so much information, there are events all over and a community of other collectors!

[@abycats2003]

Ps...if I want to look up a Singer serial number, I just Google Singer. ISMAACS has a lot of information however I'm not a fan of some of the politics that go on there.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

@@abycats2003 oh wow, that's cool. I like to learn stuff :) I will check it out. Thanks

[@lisamcgowam]

I have the exact same machine and just remove the feed dogs to see if I can do some free motion embroidery.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is so cool. I am sure that would work out just fine. Sounds like fun :)

[@user-rc3lt5bc1e]

So I have an opportunity to look and possibly purchase a Baer and Remple Phoenix 229 treadle machine but I’m having a hard time finding any information about it. Are you familiar with this machine? I didn’t see anything similar in your videos

[@NeverTooMany2023]

I have not seen a machine by this name before. After some short research...it looks like this is a German made machine. It resembles the early Pfaff 100 series. From what I can tell, this would be a great machine to pick up if the price is right, especially if it comes with all the doo-dads :) I would love to see it if you end up picking it up. Thanks for watching!

[@musicman7078]

Which do you perfer electric or treadle? I see this video is about a year old. Are the stitches just as nice as an electric?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

It is really hard to compare the two. For me, it is more about the experience that each provide. There is really nothing like running a vintage treadle. When you want to really connect with your work a treadle is the most immersive. If however, you are looking to be productive, more modern machines are definitely superior. As far as stitch quality goes, it is really machine dependent. I have used treadle machines with beautiful stitching but the machine has to be in perfect running order and condition. This is where especially modern computerized machines shine for me. They are able to consistently lay down perfect stitches all day without as much hassle and hick-ups. In the end...I love them all. They all have something to offer and they all serve as an outlet for your hard work and creativity. Thanks for the question!

[@sandramonteagudo7956]

I have the exact machine! I love it but I think it hates me. I’m going to try a lot of your tips! Thanks for this video, I really enjoyed it!