Old sewing machines (pic heavy)

[TurboGirl]

the sewing machine I use has been in the family for 29 years, does that count as old?

Yeahhh, I reckon old is anything if its a classic of its kind, like any bit of good engineering I had a 40yr old Bernina and that was definately a grand old lady

 

[wanderinstar]

Hopefully, here are the photos.

 

[wanderinstar]

That was a releif. Have not done that for a while.
Finally got it running. Fitted leather needle and got some Gutterman upholstry thread. Did a few practice runs on some scraps of leather. The belt is too big, will get correct one tomorrow. Even so it sewed 3 pieces of 1mm calfskin together. Had to give handwheel a tug to start it. Expecting great things tomorrow. Never used a sewing machine before. Whooooaa!

 

[TurboGirl]

We've not been treated to any pictures of sewn through fingers yet, I wonder how long it will be for that one.... don't be first, wanderinstar!!

 

[wanderinstar]

Does anyone know the max diam thread for a leather needle on a 28k? The upholstery thread seams a bit thin.

 

[Macaroon]

It's a big mistake to think that a particular thread is too small for the job in hand. Firstly, any form of upholstery thread will be immensely strong and will certainly be strong enough for anything we are likely to do; the strength of the final workpiece is determined much more by the quality of the stitch and these machines produce that par excellence. It's a really complicated subject if you go into it fully, but there's really no need, you'd be surprised how strong a seam you get even in leather and very heavy fabric just by using a good polyester "sew-all" type thread. Much more important is to get the tension right, so that the stitches link in the middle of the thickness of the material being sewn. Next time you get the chance, look at the thread used in a good quality handbag or outdoor garment - you'll be surprised at what you find.

If you feel the need to explore the subject further, you'll find stuff online; the art of it is not "bigger is stronger", but using the correct thread for the job. Hope this helps,..................atb mac

 

[TurboGirl]

And each make of leather needle will differ slightly from the next too, often in quality of the hole- theres nothing as frustrating as a cheap needle with a burr that breaks the thread

 

[wanderinstar]

Thank you very much for that Macaroon. The reason I was after a thicker thread was more for aesthetics than strengh. But I take your point [if you will excuse the pun].
As I said before Sal I am using Shmetz needles. So hopefully they should be ok.
One other question. Is there a way of telling when your lower bobbin has run out? Might sound like a spupid question to you seasoned sewers, but I an an absolute beginner.

 

[Macaroon]

After you've been using the machine for a while you'll get to know the signs of the bobbin running out - on some machines the sound changes, others not - but you'll see the lack of tension on the top of the stitch alter.
Just one of the reasons to have as many good quality bobbins as you can get your mitts on, and keep 'em loaded with your most-used stuff.

I've found the best way for decorative stitching with thick or fancy threads is to first sew the seams with the structurally correct thread and then oversew with the decorative stitch using a slightly looser tension. I've used pretty thick linen thread with my 201k, but as Sal says it's dependant to a large extent on the quality of the needles used and the bobbins as well. Try to get vintage Singer needles, they come up on sh1te bay from time to time, though I've never seen leather needles - having said that, the Shmetz needles should be fine.......................all the best, mac

 

[wanderinstar]

Thamks for that Mac.

 

[MartinK9]

Here's my second one bought from Karl:

28K made in 1901

 

[TurboGirl]

Here's my second one bought from Karl:

28K made in 1901

Should we keep 'em peeled for a treadle table, Martin? You could have a portable and a fixed one then It's good using a treadle, you have both hands for the work and they often fold flat into the table so are pretty inconspicuous when stored You can sometimes pick the treadle tables up cheap on the Bay

 

[MartinK9]

Should we keep 'em peeled for a treadle table, Martin? You could have a portable and a fixed one then It's good using a treadle, you have both hands for the work and they often fold flat into the table so are pretty inconspicuous when stored You can sometimes pick the treadle tables up cheap on the Bay

Sal,

Thanks for the offer, but I've no room as it is

 

[wanderinstar]

Now that is what I call a sewing machine. Er indoors says I cant have it because of lack of space. I said we could get rid of her display cabinet. I will not repeat her answer.

 

[wanderinstar]

£50 it went for. There are times like these when I wish I was single.

 

[TurboGirl]

Blimey, wanderinstar, what an incredible piece! What was inside it? I hope the buyer doesnt chuck the machine and make a drinks cabinet out of it :S

 

[Macaroon]

That's exactly what happened to thousands of those cabinets, they were the flagship cabinet for Singer for a long time - people living in smaller and smaller houses and flats was a big factor along with the utter bad taste we were reknowned for in the 70's and 80's, when a lot of lovely stuff bit the dust...................atb mac

 

[bigroomboy]

Has anybody had problems with thicker thread? I shortened some jeans and the closest thread I could find was top stitch? But it was too thick to be able to set bobbin tension lose enough before the screw came out. I used heavy weight in the end which wasn't bad but even that the tension was a little high but the screw was only just in. Is there a way around that?

 

[TurboGirl]

If it required alteration of the bobbin tension to that extent, its probably not machine thread... Were you using the same top and bottom? I've had situations on old long bobbin/ shuttle machines where the shuttle spring was bent and had to be reshaped but that applied to all thread used through that shuttle until it was reshaped it's surprising how strong the thinner machine thread is but it won't help with matching so not much help to you, it must have been originally sewn of a much larger industrial

 

[Harvestman]

Here are some pictures from Usk Rural Life Museum, from a recent visit of mine.