Making this entry public, in case the research helps someone else.
My sewing machine has broken down, and needs replaced anyway, due to a latex drive belt.
I've been contacting manufacturers, trying to find a heavy-duty, home use, sewing machine that either comes latex free, or could be made latex free.
Here's what I've got so far:
* Husqvarna Viking, Bernina, Brother, Brother Industrial, and Janome have no safe machines, nor any that they think could be safely modified to be latex free.
Viking responded the most quickly, and most politely, so far.
For Janome, they told me to "go ask a dealer". *facepalm* I had to explain just how dangerous the latex allergy is before they'd answer the question.
* Mitsubishi, whose customer service rep was fabulously helpful and polite, does have latex-free sewing machines. However, they're all industrial, one-function types, and they start around $12,000. Thus, they are decidedly not what I'm looking for.
* Lehman's has a treadle machine that comes with a latex-rubber belt, but they say it is possible to replace the belt with leather. (They don't do this, but they can suggest where to look.)
This machine looks like my best/only bet so far.
Pros: It's got, "Several built-in stitches including buttonhole, zigzag, feather and triple stitch." It would still work when the power goes out (which happens with distressing frequency here). It's a heavy-duty machine, so it would probably hold up to all the work I'd be putting it to. The treadle cabinet is lovely, hardwood, American made, has useful drawers, and allows the machine to be folded down when not in use.
Cons: It's $1400. The cabinet would take more space than we have available in this tiny apartment (though we won't be here forever, so that's not a huge con). I'd have to work a treadle with my bad knee (not sure I can?). I don't actually know *how* to use a treadle machine, having never seen one used.
Still, it's literally the only machine that's come up as "potentially safe" so far.
*Singer, which was the first company I contacted, still hasn't answered my question. They've answered an unrelated question that I didn't ask, after a long delay, and I asked them again, with a note that I'd be contacting other companies as well. Still no response, and everyone else has responded in the meantime. That's lousy customer service, which is a pity, because I like Singer's machines.
I've had several people suggest getting an antique or vintage treadle machine and fix it up.
However: 1. I need something that runs right away, not another "project" that I have zero interest in doing. Paying for repairs could easily cost more than a brand new machine; 2. Anything we get second-hand needs to be safe to immerse, so we can thoroughly clean off any stray allergen particles (which second-hand stuff usually has); and 3. I looked treadle machines up on the local craigslist and on ebay, and people are charging outrageous prices for rusty, non-functional machines. Not worth the hassle.
So, that's the report thus far. I'll post again if/when Singer gets around to answering.
hopeful