I bought a new sewing machine in June. A Pfaff 130-6 treadle machine from 1942 that I got from a local second hand store. It’s built into a table and everything. It’s been a little bit of a learning curve though, not because it’s actually difficult to sew with it. That’s been easy, it’s just got more features than I anticipated…
Pfaff 130-6!
When I got it home for the first time, I played around with the settings etc. by googling and got it to sew. It does a much better job at zig-zag than my electric machine(!). Then I accidentally touched some part of the table and discovered a drawer that I’d completely missed when I bought the machine. In it was a bunch of feet, bobbins, other accessories and gross old pins. It also had a manual in German (- not sure how I feel about that with a machine from 1942…). My German, as discussed before, is pretty bad, so I found another manual online in English. The only thing that didn’t work on the machine was the bobbin winder, it was completely stuck. A few weeks at the sewing machine fixer and 10 euro later and I had a functional bobbin winder (yay!). It only took a few more weeks to figure out how to disconnect the needle to get the bobbin winder to operate safely… Check it out here!
Zig-zag! 
Secret drawer (It’s not really hidden, I’m just not good at finding things)
Other learning experiences included being told that the cord that connects the footpedal/wheel and machine could actually come off. This allows the machine to tip backwards, which is needed for oiling. It also let me figure out the serial number and therefore the age. Only a few weeks ago I figured out that it also tips forwards and can be hidden inside the table. It also explains a weird side panel to the table with a keyhole that I couldn’t figure out. Turns out that that goes on top of the hidden machine and can lock it inside!
Inside the table 
Hidden!
Once I got less scared of the machine, I’ve been sewing everything on it. I did make a few improvements by adding an Ikea swivel lamp which can illuminate whatever part of my sewing that I need in the moment. There’s a magnetic pin-bowl underneath the handwheel that doesn’t move when I accidentally poke it. I also jury-rigged a little basket to the side of the table to act as a catch-all for threads and other debris. Somewhat anachronistic, but very useful.
In short; it’s wonderful! Added benefit, it gives me a miniature leg workout. It’s also a lot more quiet than an electric machine. Still makes noise of course, but not nearly as much. I might just be moving my electric machines back upstairs to my ‘office’ since I’m not using them at all at the moment and therefore they do not need to live in the living room, right?!