Posted 9 years ago
Janicelb1863
(1 item)
I have a Domestic treadle machine with the patent dates 1863-1876 on the slide plate. I also have a great many attachments for it, each with a small cut-out star and labeled "Domestic S. M. C. O." on one side with "E. J. Toof" on the other side. Does anyone know where I can get information about these attachments (what they're for and/or how to use them?
I was excited to get this machine, from a 90-year-old lady who said it was her grandmother's, just because I like old sewing machines. I was extra glad when I realized it was a basic 1863 model since I am an American Civil War re-enactor. The machine runs quite well and I have used it both at home and at our events. I just hate to see some parts unused because I don't know what to do with them. This is my "Unsolved Mystery." Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
The latest patent date on a machine, is the earliest a machine can date to, and often they are later. Patent dates were added to machines that could have been for just one small part or mechanism of the machine. 1863 is the date of William A Mack's patent for the vibrating shuttle movement. Domestic was founded in 1869 from Mack's company.
The parts you have are mainly binding attachments, at the back is a ruffler and what looks like a tuck-marker, and the little one at the right is a rolled hem foot. The cross shaped part in the middle is a shirring blade. http://ismacs.net/domestic/manuals/domestic-number-3-and-4-sewing-machine-manual.pdf