I have solved my issue of having 12 sewing machines (7 of mine, 5 of my Dad's), and not feeling I had the right one to sew Quilts For Veterans (c) laeom with.  I bought another machine.

I have a hip problem.  I tend to ignore it and pretend it isn't there.  I was sewing the first quilt top the other day, using my Singer model VS2 from 1891, and my legs really became weak.  Well, the doctor had a few things to say about blood sugar and stress, and losing my Dad will do funny things.  But I know I have a problem with my left hip.  So, I had to finish piecing the top on the Singer model 15-91 from 1952 that my father had given me, an electric.

In the meantime, I am fixing a Singer treadle table top that is going to be on top of a Standard (probably a Standard, could also be a Davis) treadle base, because that's the extra base we have right now.  My Singer model 237, which can be electic or treadle, looks too modern (1968-1972) to be in a painted treadle top. This is going to be a somewhat portable treadle, and I am now following the example created by Becky of Fiddley Bits on YouTube (also a member of TreadleOn).  Her very nice video regarding a portable treadle is here

I was willing to use an electric machine, and give my hip a break, until the weather news came out that we have a hurricane (Joaquin), or at the least, a bad storm, heading this way.  My first thought wasn't batteries, water and lamp oil, it was "Sheesh, if I lose power, an electric won't work!"  Yes, I am pretty much stuck on using treadle and hand crank sewing machines.

My Singer VS2, being my oldest machine, brought in my Dad's love of the Civil War.  However, it sews a very fine and dainty stitch.  It's a beautiful stitch, but being an antique machine, and finely engineered, it will not do these quilts for me without showing more wear to the decals, or more wear overall.  At 124 years old, it deserves to be used for single projects, and not constant use.

So, I just bought a Singer model 15 treadle head.  It's from 1937, it has some decal wear, and it needs oiling and cleaning up, but it more reflects what I wanted for my treadle for these quilts.

The seller's photo is below:

It needs cleaning as I had said, but I can't wait til it gets here.