Before sewing machines people sewed by hand.
They were powered by handANS 2 -Many early sewing machines were powered by foot. Your feet worked back and forward on a 'treadle' at the base of the machine.
rotation, pedal power.
The difference between a modern day sewing machine and an olden day sewing machine is the modern day sewing machines are powered by electric and not done by hand.
Using sewing machines uses electricity which means you are polluting the environment.
The sewing machine now is run by electricity, when back then the sewing machine had a peddle.
Using a treadle. (a lever worked by the foot that imparts motion to a machine.)
Same thing used today. Mostly small electric motors.
Juki and Brother make sewing machines that are good.
Sewing machines are very heavy. As such, there is no such thing as a portable sewing machine.
Just like they do now, except foot powered. Flywheel connected to paddles, band of leather connected to drive shaft. The bobbins and internals have changed minimally.
Are you asking about a treadle machine? These were the ones used before electric sewing machines.
The opening in a sewing machine table is normally adjustble to accomodate different sies of machines. You should always check the dimesions before ordering when possible.