Hi all!
Loving that this forum is UK based!
I have a 10 vintage machines, mostly Singers
(they aren't all working...some just heads, missing parts etc) and as if I don't have enough to be fixing, I am now in the market for ANOTHER!
I want a straight stitch machine (I have a Singer 221k and a 222K, the most beautiful machines and stitches ever, which I love piecing patchwork with) but I really want a straight stitch machine for medium weight to heavier fabrics (I need to make new covers for my sofas), and light leather (mainly sewing patches on leather waistcoats, which is light to medium weight lined leather, rather than 'biker's protective' leather.)
If the machine reverses and the feed dogs drop, brilliant, but if not, that's not really an issue. In a table is probably the most important.... and it has to be black and shiny
(fussy, much?)
I *think* I've narrowed it down to a Singer 96k and a 31k. There are a few on eBay I'm watching. But then I get thrown by clutch or servo motors, and 99% of the people selling are selling on and have no clue (sidebar, how annoying is it when they say 'fully working', when they mean 'needle goes up and down' - it's like saying a car has wheels and an engine under the bonnet but they haven't tried driving it).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I did think of treadle route, but I'd like to be able to churn out chain piecing at speed, so whilst that might work better for the leather, it's not as functional for other stuff.
Currently using my Grandmother's Frister and Rossman model 45 for patches with a 130/18 needle and Guterman sew all thread (adding the topstitch thread makes it loop a tiny bit underneath no matter what I do, though wow, it looked pretty!). It's adequate, but struggles over seams. Certainly better than my Viking Husqvarna Platinum 955E managed (hence straight stitch - the pivoting was making me cringe!).
Thanks in advance!