The Sewing Place

Featherweights for Dummies

Acorn

Re: Featherweights for Dummies
« Reply #30 on: January 18, 2018, 20:06:10 PM »
Just a very faint mark if you press down really hard.  It's not at all chalky - quite hard.
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

Madame Cholet

Re: Featherweights for Dummies
« Reply #31 on: January 26, 2018, 09:03:31 AM »
Apologies for triple-posting, but does anyone know what this is, and what it's for?  It was in the accessory tray of my Featherweight's case.

It looks like a piece of slate, but seems a bit too heavy for that.  It leaves a clear mark on paper, which made me wonder if it was graphite.  It's about an inch and a half by three quarters of an inch.

This is a long shot, but could it possibly be an oilstone, for sharpening blades etc?
I have often wondered about the practicality/effectiveness of perhaps sharpening machine needles to prolong their usefulness, and I keep meaning to dig out my oilstone and give it a try.
Does anyone know if sewing machine needles were ever re-sharpened?

b15erk

Re: Featherweights for Dummies
« Reply #32 on: January 26, 2018, 09:10:10 AM »
I remember my mum would sharpen a needle - in fact I would say that we had the same packet of needles as long as I lived at home!

No idea what she sharpened them on though - probably the back step!  ;)

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.