Anybody here ever used a hand-crank or non-electric sewing machine? I'm moving off-the-grid but would like to be able to do simple sewing projects.
Looking for BTDT and/or machine recommendations.
Thanks

nak but i have a 1914 singer treadle. she does a great job but only straight stitch. i hear you can get zigzag attachments (and more) for a lot of the old machines. i'd call around to repair shops, someone probably has one sitting in the back room. or try some flea markets. there's always ebay too if you don't mind the shipping--pretty spendy for old, heavy machines. good luck :)

He're's one...

http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2887&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=sewing+machine

Pricey though!!! I agree, look around at flea markets etc...for the old Singer type? My friend got one for $20

Dana, where are you moving offgrid to? You can sometimes find them at pawnshops and auctions too. My Nana got one at an auction for $20. Try good will also. Some of the local sewing machine shops will have them new if they sell singer. Or they can atleast get them. I don't think that you will be able to do anything fancy with them.

Just because you go off grid doesn't mean you should have to give up your sewing machine unless you won't be having any electricity. You could run if for short times on whatever power source your going to have. If its solar (I'm assuming it will be since we have an abundance of it here in the Houston area), then you should be able to run it for short times on really sunny days without it affecting too much.

How exciting for you that your taking this adventure.

edited to say, I'd reccommend the treadle machines if I were you.

Check yardsales & freecycle, too. My neighbor just sold an old treadle machine in mint condition for $50 at her yardsale......I was tempted......but had no where to put it.

Hi. I am really more of a reader in this forum, but this totally caught my eye. Treadle machines can be priexpensive--you never know, you could get a deal, but just in case I thought that you might be interested in this. I have been playing with the idea of doing it myself so that I could sew outside while my kids play.
"For years, we have been converting electric Singers to hand crank by changing the usual solid hand wheel to a spoked wheel, then adding a modern reproduction hand crank. The two parts usually run around $30 when purchased from a TO supplier. The spoked wheel was necessary as the "flip finger" on the hand crank fitted between the spokes, giving it the purchase required to turn the wheel. Now, Singer did actually manufacture some Model 185's that were hand cranks but had solid hand wheels. The hand wheel was cast with a notch in it to accept the flip finger from the crank."
Here is the link http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/modifyingsolidwheel/modifyinghandwheel.html
I will be checking up to see what you end up doing! Good luck!