Old sewing machines (pic heavy)

[Harvestman]

Recently Mac offered up an old sewing machine 'free to collector', and me being local to him snapped up the offer. My wife is a very handy seamstress but she has so many projects on that there is an 18 month waiting list for me to get anything done, which usually equates to a growled "Don't even ask". So, my own machine would be the solution.

So today I went to collect. The machine had been extracted from a treadle base and fitted to a new base, a hand crank added, and a case found that fits it. It is in full working order right now, though it needs a thorough cleaning before anything is done with it really. As I'm off work at the moment anyway (driving being the only activity that doesn't hurt) this gives me something to do.

I am now the proud owner of this:

A 1936 model 15/99, with hand crank added.

The little green box contains a set of sewing guides and specialist machine feet for things like hemming, which will be invaluable to a sewing newbie like me.

My wife is deeply jealous, though as she has to teach me how to use it once I have cleaned it up, she will get to play with it too.

So this is a huge public thank you to Mac for his enormous generosity, and an equally public promise that I will be cleaning this up and posting my progress with it. It is intended to see use, as I really don't have the room for it if it isn't going to be useful.

Mac, :You_Rock_

Dammit I need to get on with this. I made a public promise.

Honest progress report is that I found cleaning it frustrating and difficult rather than theraputic and satisfying as others on here seem to find it, and having got it disassmebled I'm having trouble getting it back together, despite keeping all the bits separate so I allegedly know where they go.

So it went on the back burner because I was getting frustrated with it. 2016 resolution to get it sorted and use it.

 

[Laurentius]

I need to get a new shuttle for my vintage Singer, I have not been able to use it for a long time, and I can't find anywhere local that stocks the parts for anything other than the modern electric machines. I shall make it one of my new years resolutions to find one on the internet, as I used to use it a lot, even stitching leather and heavy canvas.

 

[chas brookes]

Hi
Helen is very helpful and should be able to supply what you need

http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/index.html

Chas

I need to get a new shuttle for my vintage Singer, I have not been able to use it for a long time, and I can't find anywhere local that stocks the parts for anything other than the modern electric machines. I shall make it one of my new years resolutions to find one on the internet, as I used to use it a lot, even stitching leather and heavy canvas.

 

[Macaroon]

Dammit I need to get on with this. I made a public promise.

Honest progress report is that I found cleaning it frustrating and difficult rather than theraputic and satisfying as others on here seem to find it, and having got it disassmebled I'm having trouble getting it back together, despite keeping all the bits separate so I allegedly know where they go.

So it went on the back burner because I was getting frustrated with it. 2016 resolution to get it sorted and use it.

Break the job down into sections, Mike; take the tension assembly for example, give yourself a week, put all other aspects of the job out of your head and read all you can on the various links you have and get that one thing done in the time set aside. Then move on to another item and treat that the same way, you'll soon have it ready to sing.

I should perhaps have advised you to compartmentalise the task at the start, as this way it seems a lot less daunting to those less mechanically-minded than others may be.

But yes, you made a public promise and I await your first project with baited breath................No pressure, then!!!

 

[Angst]

yo....not nice seeing someone not enjoying their machine.....harvestman if you need a hand pm me your mobile and i'll give you a bell anytime....

s

 

[Harvestman]

yo....not nice seeing someone not enjoying their machine.....harvestman if you need a hand pm me your mobile and i'll give you a bell anytime....

s

I will enjoy using it. I just one of those people who don't enjoy the maintenance and cleaning bit. I'm the same with knife sharpening. I need to do it, but it is a chore and I don't enjoy it.

 

[nancyls]

Really like the thread and have found it very useful. I recently purchased a 1930's Singer sewing machine from an online seller at auction. I remember my grandmother having one of these when I was a young girl and I was always so fascinated watching her sew. I've recently been getting back into sewing myself and fancied trying out the old fashioned way. It needed a bit of restoration before I could use it so have been following some of the tips suggested here. Now I've got it up and running and am really enjoying the hands-on approach. Had been using an Overclocker sewing machine prior to getting this one.

Good luck completing your restoration. I'll try and add some pictures from my restoration process once I've worked out how to upload them to the thread. It's the same as the one in this picture I've added from URL.

Nancy.

 

[Westnorfolk]

Finally got a 201 for Christmas and for my birthday a new buttonholer
here is my collection of feet and accessories

[/URL]singer_feet_chickendave by chickendave, on Flickr[/IMG]

Mostly used for shirts and upholstery

 

[richardhomer]

Finally got a 201 for Christmas and for my birthday a new buttonholer
here is my collection of feet and accessories

[/URL]singer_feet_chickendave by chickendave, on Flickr[/IMG]

Mostly used for shirts and upholstery

That's quite a collection of accessories you have there

 

[Zingmo]

Finally got a 201 for Christmas and for my birthday a new buttonholer
here is my collection of feet and accessories

[/URL]singer_feet_chickendave by chickendave, on Flickr[/IMG]

Mostly used for shirts and upholstery

What? No seam guide?

http://www.amazon.com/Singer-Sewing-Machine-25527-Fabric/dp/B00B0IAGCI

Z

 

[leaky5]

For those of you who may know. Is a Singer 66k capable of sewing a few layers (say 4) of 1000d fabric ? I need to upgrade from my wifes domestic machine and there is one locally for IIRC £30

 

[Zingmo]

I'm not sure, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, the 66K will probably cope with short sections as long as you have the right needle.

The problem with the 66k is that it can't do reverse which could be a pain.

Z

 

[Macaroon]

I'm not sure, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, the 66K will probably cope with short sections as long as you have the right needle.

The problem with the 66k is that it can't do reverse which could be a pain.

Z

That's it in a nutshell

 

[leaky5]

OK next question. It seems a 901K might be a more suitable machine for my needs. Does anyone know if an elctric model can be fitted with the hand crank or will that throw it off balance. There are times I like to hand wind for accuracy or is the wheel big enough to use without a hand crank ?

 

[Macaroon]

I've never heard of a 901k..................

 

[ozzy1977]

Do you mean a 201k?

 

[leaky5]

Do you mean a 201k?

Sorry yes, 201K.

BTW are Merritt machines clones of Singers ?

 

[Macaroon]

You can't run the motor with the hand crank connected, however it's really very quick and easy to slip the belt off and the hand crank on. Not really something you'd want to be doing every ten minutes though........

Just get another one, you just can't have too many if you're using them as you do; it also means you can run two different colours (and needle types) without changing thread/bobbin, useful for some projects.........

 

[leaky5]

You can't run the motor with the hand crank connected, however it's really very quick and easy to slip the belt off and the hand crank on. Not really something you'd want to be doing every ten minutes though........

Just get another one, you just can't have too many if you're using them as you do; it also means you can run two different colours (and needle types) without changing thread/bobbin, useful for some projects.........

Thanks, I should be able to use my OH's machine for the thinner bits and just get a heavier duty machine for thicker stuff. I am going to have a look at a Merritt either on the way home or over the weekend.

 

[leaky5]

This is the Merrit for £20 at a local charity shop, looks like it may be based on a Singer 217. Not sure if it will be any better than my wife's one.