RESTORING A SINGER 66: Treadle Sewing Machine Belt Install

Welcome to my new series on restoring my 1918 Singer 66 red eye treadle sewing machine. This installment is about how to replace/install a leather belt on a vintage treadle sewing machine. Replacing or installing a new leather treadle sewing machine belt is quite simple. First, stretch out the belt. Because this belt is leather if you install it without stretching it out first the belt will loosen over time and you will need to adjust the length again. Place the belt on the sewing machine measure and mark the correct length. Remove. Cut the end without the sample and poke a hole for the staple to fit into so that the two pieces join seamlessly. Reinstall the belt this time letting it hang loose from the treadle wheel it makes it a lot easier to join the two ends together. Use pliers to close the staple joint. Ease the belt onto the treadle wheel and ta-da you have a working treadle sewing machine.

Several years ago I stumbled across this machine in a local thrift shop. I wanted it quite desperately as the idea of having my own sewing machine that was powered by a foot instead of electricity appealed to me. Unfortunately at the time, I had nowhere to put such a piece of furniture. Logic said “you don’t need this,” “this is impractical,” but it was one of those things I would have regretted not purchasing. My parents ended up getting it for me for my birthday which was still several months away. They stored it in their guest room for the next year or more until I finally had a place to put it. The machine itself is in great condition considering it is over 100 years old. At the time I knew next to nothing about these machines or what a deal this one was. I’ve been slowly gathering information about how to restore it over the past year. True to form, I plan on doing everything myself. This is both due to the amount it would cost to get it fixed by someone else and also because I know I will derive so much pleasure and satisfaction from having done everything myself when the restoration is finally complete. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you as I attempt to restore this beautiful sewing machine, and finally having a sewing machine with which to sew all the myriad sewing projects that have been rolling about in my head.

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MUSIC: Improvisation in C minor by Laura Early