Sewing Machine

[NickBristol]

Good afternoon,

I'm looking forward to making some more of my own kit, like smocks etc, but really need a sewing machine. Sewing by hand is putting me off finishing stuff Have made a few little thing so far, like a breathable waterproof liner for an old LoweAlpine fleece but that took forever to stitch but I want to do more projects while the evenings are still long and the TV is rubbish...

Does anyone have have recommendations for a cheap-ish but versatile and idiot-proof sewing machine that isn't over complicated?

I'm not looking for a top end machine that can stitch every fabric in the known universe, just the basics...

Thanks for any help - it'll be much appreciated,

Nick

PS does this count as a kit query more than a DIY one? If so please feel free to move it

 

[moduser]

Nick,

I've been in a similar situation and have recently purchased an old Singer hand machine.

The main advantage of the hand machine are it's easier to learn to set up tension, and it can sew thicker fabric than most domestic electric machines.

£10 from a car boot with all it's accoessories. I just need to get it serviced then I can get some of my projects done.

Rgds

Moduser

 

[Big John]

That's not bad advise - the old hand singers are tried and tested technology. I've not done much machine sewing, but I would say the major advantage of an electric machine is that you have two hands free for holding the fabric as the machine is controlled by a foot pedal.

As for recommendations - can't help I'm afraid, I inherited a very old electric one from my wife's Nan - it's basically a hand machine with a motor strapped to the side, the best of both worlds maybe??

 

[running bare]

defo on singer hand machine but if you can get one and have the space go for a treadle model its foot operated and leaves both hands free to guide your project thru shouldnt be too expensive as there were millions made so dont take any c**p about them being antiques


tom

 

[Neil1]

Go for a good manual machine, straight forwaed electric motor, no electric key pads!, Singer, Pfaff or Brother are all very good!
Neil

 

[pierre girard]

Old Singer Model 200 is a very good machine for crafting - one of the best of the home models.

Last year I bought a 1920 Singer industrial machine for $150. Motor is the same size as I have on my electric table saw. Not sure how I'd ever return to a domestic machine. Very good for sewing canvas and leather. Power enough to sew through anything - up to and including two layers of harness leather.

PG

 

[HuBBa]

I'd like to give out a little shout for the swedish Husqvarna machines aswell. I got one last summer (a 20 year old Husqvarna 2000) and it chews through 6 layers of cordura without breaking a sweat.

But when doing equipment and tough materials/sewing, remember to take it SLOW. Also buy a lot of needles because you might need them =)

And i agree with the previous posters that the older machines are generally stronger and tougher and if they are kept well will last you a lifetime.

 

[NickBristol]

Cheers for all the info guys, much appreciated

Will keep my eye out for a singer hand op model... don't suppose there are any 'sewing surplus' stores about?

Just seen an ad for a Husqvarna 2000 for sale for £50 or so, might go for that...

Ta again, Nick

 

[pierre girard]

Not sure what the model was, but my mother had an old green Viking (Husqvarna) two speed that she bought used in 1962. It was an excellent machine capable of sewing several layers of 18 oz canvas. It had an extra low gear, that needed to be changed manually, for sewing heavy fabrics. If I ever see another one - in decent shape - it will be mine.

PG

 

[jason01]

I have a small collection of old singers, treadles and hand cranks, the 201 is about the smoothest domestic Singer you'll find, full rotary action with reverse and helical bevel gears like a Ducati Desmo top end, the model 15 is one of the toughest, the model 66 one of the commonest, avoid vibrating shuttle models (most likely model 28) or any of the ones with long shuttle cover plates theyre fine machines but trickier to use. As for being valuable antiques, well some of them are but you'll probably not come across those.

As it happens I have a spare model 66 in nice condition, fully serviced, circa 1935, it originally came in a treadle (which Im keeping) but I have transplanted it into a carry case and fitted an aftermarket motor with foot control, free to whoever wants to collect it from Birmingham. A hand crank could be sourced for it fairly easily off ebay if you wanted to go back to basics (I prefer non electric myself). Its a simple straight stitch only machine, takes easily sourced needles and bobbins and I can do a quick demo for whoever picks it up Nick gets first refusal but its probably not worth the trip unless youre heading North anyway.

You'll pay a premium if you buy one from a specialist and as theyre not uncommon I wouldnt bother going that route.

 

[jason01]

A good link to old sewing machines
Old sewing machines

For what its worth IMO the old singers are seriously undervalued machines, most of them will outsew a modern electric domestic as long as you dont need fancy stitches/zig zag etc and will still be sewing in nother 100 years with no problem whatsoever.

 

[scruff]

I have a Singer 127/128 (not quite sure of the size) its a great workhorse. Picked it up for a tenner.

I got a pristine treadle model with all the accessories in unbelievably good condition for a bottle of red wine!!!

I was gonna recommend the hand cranked singer yesterday but its worth mentioning that it does require some practice to feed the material through and keep it straight if your new to sewing machines.

The treadles can also be a tad tricky as the 'foot work' can seem a little odd.

Jason-01 cheers for the link. I'd found and lost the site ages ago. I'd printed out a copy of a manual sometime ago but I spilt a cuppa on it.

 

[moduser]

Great link Jason,

I now know that I have a model VS3/28.

Really good link.

If noone takes you up on your offer for the model 66, I'd be interested (picking it up would be a problem though ).

Rgds

Moduser

 

[jason01]

I have a Singer 127/128 (not quite sure of the size) its a great workhorse. Picked it up for a tenner.

I got a pristine treadle model with all the accessories in unbelievably good condition for a bottle of red wine!!!

I was gonna recommend the hand cranked singer yesterday but its worth mentioning that it does require some practice to feed the material through and keep it straight if your new to sewing machines.

The treadles can also be a tad tricky as the 'foot work' can seem a little odd.

Jason-01 cheers for the link. I'd found and lost the site ages ago. I'd printed out a copy of a manual sometime ago but I spilt a cuppa on it.

I agree theyre good machines I have one myself and like them a great deal, only reason I wouldnt reccomend as a first or only machine is the uncommon bobbins, harder to find spares (not that they ever break) and can be slightly trickier to set up compared to the oscillating hook machines.

Yet more

Sewing machines

More sewing machines

And more

Spares to buy

 

[jason01]

Great link Jason,

I now know that I have a model VS3/28.

Really good link.

If noone takes you up on your offer for the model 66, I'd be interested (picking it up would be a problem though ).

Rgds

Moduser

On the Treadleon they have a machine shuttle service, i.e. if anyone is going your way via my way maybe they could it carry it

 

[scruff]

stop it you'll turn me into a sewing machine nerd!!

 

[jason01]

stop it you'll turn me into a sewing machine nerd!!

Ahem, welcome to the club I usually try to compensate for it by talking about the simple and beautiful manly engineering involved in these things, but I dont think it washes!

Re treadles, a well set up treadle really is a pleasure to use once you have the hang of it, I have a 201 in mine and its virtually silent at full speed.

 

[pierre girard]

A good link to old sewing machines
Old sewing machines

For what its worth IMO the old singers are seriously undervalued machines, most of them will outsew a modern electric domestic as long as you dont need fancy stitches/zig zag etc and will still be sewing in nother 100 years with no problem whatsoever.

Yes, thanks for the link. I see that the machine I was thinking of is the model 201. If you are able to find a 201 made in the 1940s or early 1950s you will do well. This is a very good domestic machine.

http://www.ismacs.net/singer/p201.html

My industrial Singer machine is a 31-15. I also have an 1898 Singer model 27 treadle machine.

PG

 

[moduser]

Jason,

[QUOTE On the Treadleon they have a machine shuttle service, i.e. if anyone is going your way via my way maybe they could it carry it /QUOTE]

Not sure I got that, a tad dense at present

Moduser

 

[jason01]

Jason,

[QUOTE On the Treadleon they have a machine shuttle service, i.e. if anyone is going your way via my way maybe they could it carry it /QUOTE]

Not sure I got that, a tad dense at present

Moduser

If any kind soul reading this is travelling between Birmingham and Farnborough sometime in the near future maybe they could act as a sewing machine taxi, I'm just off M6 J7

Im not too keen on posting them, theyre a hassle to pack well and often get damaged in transit.

Here it is...