OldSewinGear News Reviews & How To's

Zigzag and Treadle in One

2/12/2013

Singer 328K Style-o-Matic

Looking to "Go Green? or "Get off the grid?" Treadle sewing machines are the ultimate in renewable energy. Like a bicycle, you pedal it yourself.

Singer treadle machines are a dime a dozen. The problem is that nearly all of them are straight-stitch only. So if you need treadle AND zigzag you don't have many options.

The 328 Style-o-Matic is the answer.

Heavy duty power, zigzag and decorative stitch capability and
treadle ready. Replace the motor belt with a treadle belt and install in a treadle cabinet... Voila! The ultimate green sewing machine.

The 328 was manufactured from 1963-1965 at Singer's Scotland
(328K) and Canada (328J) factories, which means they not difficult to find.

The 328 is belt-driven which requires regular adjusting for optimum performance. When properly adjusted it compares favorably to its gear-driven counterparts. All of the 328's I've tested sew lightweight leather, heavy denim, duck canvas, marine vinyl and upholstery with ease.

If you need an all-around household machine with treadly capability, look no further than the 328 Style-o-Matic.

The 328 uses Class 66 bobbin and low shank attachments.

Happy Sewing!
Barbara

7 Comments

Rob Rhodes

6/13/2013 11:04:46 am

I put together a 328k with a 1923 Singer treadle this winter and it does indeed work well but is not quite as simple as described. The 328 portable I bought fit easily into the 1923 cabinet and slid onto the hinge pins as if was meant to with no woodwork required, it folds away as designed. I had to remove one piece that was meant for the old machine to rest on but that was just two screws.

The problem came when I tried to fit the leather drive belt from the treadle. It rubbed in a couple of places because the machine's flywheel on the 328 has a larger diameter sheave than the one on 1923 machine. I was able to fix this easily because I happen to have a local cousin with a machine lathe and he turned it to the correct size (and shape) for me. The 328 flywheel is lighter than one wants on a treadle but workable. The 1923's flywheel will fit and is nice and heavy but has no surface to drive the bobbin winder. Still, I have a zig-zag treadle! I will work on the weight issue next winter, now it is summer time to garden and sail.

I think that when Singer made these the ones that were sold as treadles probably had a different flywheel, I wonder if any are sitting around somewhere. I saw 'modern' looking sewing machines that were treadle driven in Central America in about 1977 but cannot say what make they were.

Cheers, Rob
Comox, B.C.

Barbara for OldSewinGear

6/14/2013 08:11:44 am

Rob, thanks for sharing your experience! I've never personally put one of these in a treadle cabinet, so it's good to know the potential pitfalls. Obviously the treadle cabinet and type of belt will play a large role in how "easy" the conversion is. But it's good to hear from someone who actually uses the 328 in a treadle configuration!
Happy Sewing, Barbara

Marianne

6/14/2013 06:23:13 pm

I have a Singer 328P... must have come from Penrith

6/15/2013 06:46:53 am

You're most likely right, Marianne. "P" after a model number usually indicates the Penrith, New South Wales, Australia factory. I haven't encountered a Penrith 328 yet!

Eileen

3/25/2020 11:27:19 pm

I also have the 328P...have just started cleaning it up and oiling. Sounds good so far.

Leticia

11/20/2019 09:54:29 am

Cómo pido está refacción singer 179594

Bobby Matthews link

3/19/2021 11:12:17 pm

Great post, thanks.

Zigzag and Treadle in One

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Zigzag and Treadle in One

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