There used to be a lady who frequented the quilting forum and went by the name of Damascus Annie. Whoa boy, did she know her treadle machines. She would have been able to tell you anything you wanted to know about it. I have an old Ohio Farmer Machine, and it is very like yours in the tension design and it wouldn't surprise me if it were made by the Reliance Company either........who did make machines under different brand names. Mine also comes with a host of accessories and I use it and in fact learnt to sew on a treadle machine. It's what we had in school....sort of like learning to drive on a stick shift. Does this one have a round or shuttle type bobbin? The cabinet looks more modern than mine and I'd guess my machine is a late 1800s model by the ornate gilt designs and wrought iron gingerbread. Your's looks like it may be as late as early 1900s and it is in quite good shape. Can't tell you more than that, but a serial or model number would help. It should be somewhere on the sewing head, and engraved in.

Are you using a stabilizer? Go to the Thread Artist site. She has lots of free lessons. Those helped me a lot. Watch Joann's sales if there is one near you. Probably Martin Luther King holiday will be the next time they have 50% off the notion wall. That is when I stock up on stabilizers, bobbin thread & etc. I have gotten my scissors there on half price sales. I have a ULT2002 that has been upgraded to a 2003. I got mine 5/02 & I still have not tried all it can do. I watched my tape a few weeks back & learned about something I had no idea it did. I have heard that the 2001 doesn't have Disney & that is about the only difference in the machines. My daughter keeps looking at the new Pro600 & it really is smart. It has an free arm style increasing what you can do & you don't have to stay right by it. It clips all it's jump stitches. Those things are nice but I can't see the additional cost helping me that much. Maybe she thinks if I got it she could have my ULT.

I have decided after looking at the box to return it when I go back to Walmart. I didn't open it. I too have an older Pfaff model 2221 (I think), a neat little black Singer 99, an old treadle machine I think it is a New Home, it has a nice old oak cabinet that closes up in the front, it was a Christmas gift from our son one year, a Janome with some built in stitches, 3 Kenmores, pretty new, and some odds and ends of machines I have picked up at rummages over the years. I paid $15 for my Pfaff and $5.00 for the Singer 99. I really need to get my sewing room straightened up. Too many illnesses and things going on in the family. Sue

You can, and I have, but there are issues to consider which include weight (a big issue) stiffness...flannel flows much better than say an upholstry weight fabric) and pattern...a huge issue as that tiny print might not seem to show through when you hold it behind the fabric you are using as your drapes, but add sunlight...wa'la, the flowers look like crap coming through the top fabric. Another issue is just pure stregnth. Flannel blocks out the sun and protects your top fabric from the severe damage that even a year hanging can cause to your drapes. A less dense weave won't do this and you could find that your drapes fade badly or break down (including the lining fabric). One thing I've used as a lining and backing is coat lining. Satin on one side and flannel on the other, it's a wonderful one step answer if you can find it on sale in a light color. I have bundles and bundles of silk that I've purchased for less than nothing....and have to say, that even when it hurts I line with flannel. If you break down your costs and compare them to what the correctly made pieces would have cost you, even at full price the flannel won't be a bad investment. It's the rare material that really does what it's made to all the time...and hard to skimp past for a good finished product.