Me in 2001 when I started using this machine. An engineer friend gave it to me. He had bought it years prior at a garage sale because he appreciated the mechanics. He knew I had a treadle cabinet that I was hoping to put a machine in. In about 1967 the 5-drawer oak cabinet was rescued by my dad from a farm building that was going to be burned down. It’s a treasure since my dad was gone too soon. Said engineer friend also refinished the cabinet for me. Did I mention what a great friend he is? I have no silver in my hair and bangs! Wow! I’m wearing a denim jacket with a brown corduroy collar (wish I still had that) and likely Levi 501 jeans. I’m sitting on the piano stool I used to use for a sewing machine chair and leaning into the treadle cabinet where my lovely red-eye Singer model 66 is ready to sew! This is my go-to machine. And yes, I have others! One other treadle and several handcranks. I don’t like e-machines. They go too fast and make me tense. The treadle is calming and with a handcrank you can sew one stitch at a time if you want!
Back side of my sewing machine. You can see the silver coloured round striped cover that opens by loosening a thumb screw knob so you can oil the back turny bits. I am not mechanical! I just oil it, clean out the lint, and occasionally play with the thread tension. You know this machine has been loved because the decals are worn off in the front where you guide your fabric towards the needle. The decals along the back arm are gold and say SINGER with a little bit of blue and two res eye-shapes which give the decals pattern its name, red-eye.
Front view of the silver coloured plate which you can remove to oil the front turny bits. The has fancy embossed designs. You can also see this is a side clamping machine, meaning the presser foot is held in with a thumb screw knob along the side. This is the foot I use most of the time. I lost a zipper foot in a recent move and thankfully I know an OSMG (old sewing machine guy/gal) who had a replacement! I do have some attachments (affectionately known as a puzzle box) but I’ve never used them. They came after the machine.
The spoked wheel and the clutch. The clutch is that silver knob that can be turned to disengage the needle so it doesn’t go up and down when you are filling the bobbin. If you’re still reading this and aren’t familiar with old sewing machines, you’ll have to look in a prior post if you want to see the bobbin winding system. It’s very clever!
#antiquesewingmachine (and bonus younger me) post for @sewingdeadgirl.bsky.social who is compiling details about #singermodel66 machines. # AA185519, no paperwork, had a potted motor. No other mods. Front photo in prior post. My BFF! More to the story in alt text. #treadleon
