185k

[Efemera]

Picked this up the other day...it’s really dirty and stinky. I’ve striped the bottom of the base, it was beyond saving, does anyone know of replacement fabric. It needs a bobbin plate and needle clamp. But not bad for £10.

[LeilaMay]

You could just sand and varnish? Lovely find though, how super 

[b15erk]

Well spotted!  It will be lovely after a clean-up.  I have one just like it.

For the base, I've been using leather (which I have in abundance) suede side up.  If you have none, what about a piece of old towelling or wadding?

Jessie

[arrow]

Does it have a burgundy lid with a handle on top? I think the base cover was a sort of cream or ivory, woven. vinyl coated cotton fabric.  Is there any thing left of it? A lot of reupholstery faux leather have a jersey back side. It has more stretch. How was the fabric cut around the corners of the case ?

Is this close to the original fabric? It should look nice with the burgundy top. You could probably track down a uk source for this fabric.

The machine looks nice, dirty, but they always do; remains of sewing machine oil and grime comes off easily on these. I polished my beige 201K with AutoGlym Super Resin polish, it shined up like new. Is it the aluminium cast version? The plastic spool pin are still available if yours isn't there anymore.

[Efemera]

That vinyl looks just the job @arrow ...I’ll try and find a U.K. source. The machine is being cleaned at the moment and I’ve ordered a bobbin plate and screw clamp... which cost more than the machine!

[arrow]

If they ship to Europe I don't think p&p will be too much. I did a bit of serching, but the particular linen weave look is hard to find.

[Roger]

I think the original finish was called ‘grass cloth’ I’m not sure if that might help,

Looks like a cute machine.

[arrow]

Roger, do you know if the original is more like pvc wallpaper, or like upholstery fabric use for table chairs and bike seats? Some wallpapers are unusally hard wearing, made to stand up to bath room dampness and kitchen spring cleaning.

[b15erk]

If you can wait until Monday, I'll take a pic of mine and post it.  The cover is very smart.

I'll take a pic now, and it should transfer by Monday (TXFR of pics is verrrry slow for some reason)

Jessie

[b15erk]

Wonders will never cease!  The picture txfr came through almost instantly.

So, here is a pic of the lovely cover on my 185k.  Hope it gives you an idea of the original colours.

Jessie

[Roger]

I think it is a fabric rather than anything else, it’s like a fine smoother grain hessian.

I really like the finish, gets a bit grimy as the machines get older tho.

[Efemera]

Mine has a burgundy case and the bottom was definitely a woven grass cloth ...I like yours  better .

[b15erk]

I've had it a while now, but still haven't managed to clean it up properly.  I did the machine straight away, but the cover only got a quick lick over. 

It's a very nice machine and deserves a nice clean cover, must get my act together.....

Have you run yours yet Ef?  I found that mine wasn't as quiet as the 99k and 201k.  Maybe that's just my machine though....  It does sew very nicely though. 

Jessie

[arrow]

I like the burgundy case too, with the cream base and pale wood base it looks very good. With a bit of work the 185 should run smoothly, there is a few things that needs to be checked. I think some of the later motors were lubrication free, not all though.

[Efemera]

The motor hasn’t been checked but it seems to run OK.. as you say @b15erk it’s a bit louder than the 201