The Sewing Place

Old school topstitching

dolcevita

Old school topstitching
« on: October 01, 2020, 21:46:39 PM »
I'm making some jeans and wanted to set up a machine just for the topstitching. I dragged out my old Singer 99K which I rarely use but I thought would be just right for the job. I did a sample with my topstitching thread in. The outer rows are both on the 99k, the inner three on my Pfaff. The Singer wins hands down, it's a lovely stitch.

The only downside is that the pedal has a shorting capacitor and the machine happily sews without me being anywhere near the foot  :o. For less than a fiver, though, I've got a spares kit on the way and I'll have it fixed next week.

Happy days!  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

CraftyIrish

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2020, 21:53:05 PM »
The first on the left is fab.
Stitch a long
Instagram sew_web

Sewingsue

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2020, 22:19:51 PM »
Interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing.
Bernina Aurora 440QE, Brother BC-2500, Singer 99K (1938), Juki MO-654DE overlocker, Silver Viscount 620D overlocker.

Efemera

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2020, 22:26:14 PM »
I like the 4th one.. the Singer ones look slightly diagonal.

BrendaP

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2020, 23:45:05 PM »
It is normal for for 'straight' stitching to be slightly slanting, especially with heavier thread; it's the way lock stitches are formed.

http://web.archive.org/web/20110818140351/http:/blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/30/slanted-stitches-why-the-stitches-arent-straight--what-to-do-about-it.aspx


http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521551

As for the capacitor in the foot pedal - take it out!  Capacitors, AKA suppressors, were needed to stop interference to the old analogue TVs, so no longer needed and most of them eventually age and leak current which is why the machine will run on its own.

Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

dolcevita

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2020, 07:59:04 AM »
Thanks, Brenda! I read up on it further yesterday evening and did just that. The old machine is now sewing nicely again but this time only when my foot is on the pedal. ;)

Acorn

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2020, 08:17:22 AM »
My Featherweight did that (started up by itself) when I first had it - fortunately I had been warned about the possibility on here, because otherwise I think it would have really freaked me out!
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

Nuttywife59

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2020, 22:37:07 PM »
The 2 outer rows look the best. My Featherweight started off by itself and went flat out with no one near it. Very strange experience, hubby took capacitor out and works like a dream now.

Lilian

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2020, 12:31:10 PM »
Although the first line looks more slanted I do think it looks neater and more consistent than the others  :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

HooliganHeart

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2020, 17:43:35 PM »
I only own/use vintage Singers on a daily basis and find the featherweight produces the best looking top-stitch but my go-to for most work is the 15-91 (as that is permanently setup). The 401 also gives a nice top-stitch in my opinion.

Esme866

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2020, 18:13:50 PM »
I am soooooo looking forward to using the 15-89 (treadle) my Mom just gave me. Started to turn it down due to space constraints, but then realized no scary "old electricity" to worry about.

Maybe I'll do a stitch test tonite. Could be fun.

HooliganHeart

Re: Old school topstitching
« Reply #11 on: November 11, 2020, 17:02:03 PM »
I am soooooo looking forward to using the 15-89 (treadle) my Mom just gave me. Started to turn it down due to space constraints, but then realized no scary "old electricity" to worry about.

Maybe I'll do a stitch test tonite. Could be fun.

Gives lots of smiles (once you get the knack of using a treadle). Always nice to have a back-up for the days when power goes out  :thumbsup: and it was yer mums  :vintage: Enjoy.