The Sewing Place

Multiple machines

Gernella

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2017, 11:42:18 AM »
I've got four sewing machines.  Two sit on a 5ft folding table with a cover over it (great for sticking pins in when the cushion has gone missing).  I have another which sits on a smaller folding table and the third is the moveable machine, which  goes up and down stairs.  The overlocker sits behind it and then gets pulled out on to what I use as my cutting table.  The Coverstitch machine sits on the ottoman and just gets lifted out as required.

Ideally I ought to downsize.  I had a clear out in January but I think  I need another one soon, in fact thinking about it I'm going to get rid of that b****y machine that I hate.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

Catllar

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2017, 00:04:06 AM »
I keep one machine and 2 overlockers out permanently, on one table and the other machine is under the table. I also have 2 ironing boards out  - one for standing at to do big bits and one by my machine for small bits and bobs. Really need to lose one or the other  -  don't need 2 of those really.
If life gives you lemons, add to gin and tonic !

rubywishes

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #17 on: June 03, 2017, 07:34:52 AM »
My vintage machines are all in the lounge room on a hall table, the treadle next to them. I don't use them very often at all but can on a moments whim whack a dining room chair in front of the treadle and "off I go"!  When I use the 99's they are usually plonked on the kitchen table.   In my sewing room....the old Janome is set up in the Horn cabinet...use that for quick repairs, the overlocker sits on the extension table of the Horn. Big Bernina and the new Juki both sit either in, or on a humungous custom made table (love my Mr.Ruby!) depending on which one I am going to use.
Juki TL2010Q, Juki DX7,  Singers: 1917 27K treadle (aka Gertie), 1957 99k (aka Vincent), 1951 99k knee lever (aka Shirley), 1950 99k handcrank (aka Alice), 1927 28K (aka Dora), 1947 201K treadle with motor conversion (aka Livvy)
....and the dusting and vacuming can wait!

Syrinx

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #18 on: June 03, 2017, 10:01:37 AM »
I only have two machines, and one is an embroidery machine. They both live somewhere on a floor in a corner and get used on the kitchen table, which will fit both. My Janome on the side so I have plenty of space for resting quilts and the embroidery machine fits very nicely across the end of the table.

What is the difference, for those that have both, between a serger and a coverstitch machine? And are either essential for making clothes? Or just nice to have :p

b15erk

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #19 on: June 03, 2017, 11:40:43 AM »
I'm afraid that my machines live in any vacant space which will accommodate them!  I'm looking at a 201k under the desk, a 66k in a cabinet at the back of the office, 99k lives at the side of the bureau, others live in the front office (which doubles as a sewing room).

At home I have my 611g in a Horn cabinet (set up for buttonholes), Pfaff 1475 go to machine is left out on the desk, as is, the Pfaff C/Stitch/O/locker.  A Bernina 730 lurks at the back.

I'm sorry to say, that if I want to buy a covetted Featherweight, I will have to re-home a few machines, but which ones  :'(

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.

Sewingsue

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #20 on: June 03, 2017, 12:48:59 PM »
I'm afraid that my machines live in any vacant space which will accommodate them!  I'm looking at a 201k under the desk, a 66k in a cabinet at the back of the office, 99k lives at the side of the bureau, others live in the front office (which doubles as a sewing room).

At home I have my 611g in a Horn cabinet (set up for buttonholes), Pfaff 1475 go to machine is left out on the desk, as is, the Pfaff C/Stitch/O/locker.  A Bernina 730 lurks at the back.

I'm sorry to say, that if I want to buy a covetted Featherweight, I will have to re-home a few machines, but which ones  :'(

Jessie
That is a prize winning collection

0_0
Bernina Aurora 440QE, Brother BC-2500, Singer 99K (1938), Juki MO-654DE overlocker, Silver Viscount 620D overlocker.

Marniesews

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #21 on: June 03, 2017, 13:47:05 PM »
What is the difference, for those that have both, between a serger and a coverstitch machine? And are either essential for making clothes? Or just nice to have :p

I managed for years without either serger or coverstitcher but wouldn't want to be without either now. They're not essential like a sewing machine but I use both all the time for far more than I'd originally envisaged.

Of the two the serger is the most used as so much of what I sew is knit fabric. I also use it to neaten the seam allowances when I'm using wovens.  Of course that can easily be done with a sewing machine but the serged edge is neater. You can make most and sometimes all of a knit garment with the serger alone and the stitch and finish in one go is a great timesaver. As I've lost a lot of weight over the last couple of years I love the fact that I can simply roar up the sides and sleeves of knit tops, pyjamas etc to extend their life long after I'm several sizes smaller than the originals.

The coverstitcher was bought for sewing lycra dance dresses/leotards - primarily but not exclusively for neck/armhole/ leg openings.  Lots of other users love to use the reverse of the coverstitch to form a style line through a garment as shown below, you see it a lot on athletic wear to give surface detail to an otherwise plain garment.

What I hadn't realised would be as wonderfully useful as it is, was the chainstitch. I use it for as much tacking as possible (it sews up quickly and pulls out so easily) and if you sew it on the inside it makes a lovely bold topstitch just with serger thread. Because it has stretch it's great for attaching binding onto edges and then the 2- or 3-needle coverstitch finishes them off when the binding is folded over. If it's a permanent stitching you do need to ensure you knot the ends securely and I sometimes even knot then sew the ends if it's going to have lots of wear and washing (belt, braces & safety pin!).
« Last Edit: June 03, 2017, 13:50:14 PM by Marniesews »
Hopefully back more regularly! Ballroom sewing may be permanently paused but bag making is the current focus.

Mamashep

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #22 on: June 10, 2017, 18:59:18 PM »
I have a large corner desk with cupboards/drawers attached at both ends, which makes a large corner unit around  2m x 2m. I have my Brother PR1000, Janome MC8900, Babylock Evolve, Janome Cover pro, and blind hemmer on it, and have Singer 201k Underneath at the moment. Apart from the PR1000, the machines get moved forwards or back as required. I did consider getting rid of the Cover pro, when I got the Evolve, but decided against it. I did however get rid of my Janome 500e when I got the PR1000. I had intended keeping it for a backup, but did not realise ho much space the PR1000 would actually take up, so it had to go.

crooknees

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2017, 18:44:23 PM »
I have an old sewing cabinet housing my Pfaff sewing/embroidery machine. Backing flush to that, I have an old wash stand with my Pfaff coverstitch/overlocker. The depth between these machines gives me ample room when curtain making or similar jobs requiring lots of fabric behind the machine and for the embroidery unit. The sewing cabinet also has a useful drop down leaf on the end, courtesy of DH. My Riccar machine is on loan to DD2 at the moment, but used to live on the top of a drop leaf table on the landing, just outside the sewing room. Leaf up and plugged in, it was ready to use. The old Jones straight stitch is only used to mend horsey stuff which is not allowed in the sewing room. This machine is kept under the stairs and is lifted out and set up by whoever wants me to do them a favour ;)
« Last Edit: June 14, 2017, 18:46:21 PM by crooknees »

rowe1311

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #24 on: June 14, 2017, 19:50:04 PM »
I have 6 machines but looking to re-home the 66k.  I have a line of tables on one side of the wall.  My singer 201k is in the treadle base that the 66k was in, and my overlocker on another treadle base sitting on top of an old chopping board, and my Bernina on an old desk.  The 15k is in the sitting room in a foldaway treadle base so is used as a desk as well.  My Frister and Rossman is my spare and that lives on the floor and doesn't get used very much, but I haven't wanted to part with it yet. 

Jo

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #25 on: June 15, 2017, 07:07:30 AM »
I only have two: the sewing machine and the overlocker/coverstitch, and they both share a desk. I move my chair to one or the other when I need to use them.
I previously had just one on the table to have more room, but found it sooo annoying to change machines that I decided I could do with less space and no moving.
Syrinx, I have a Juki that does both overlocking and coverstitch. When I bought it, I was advised it would be better to buy two separate machines because the combination one has to be rethreaded when you want to change between them. I did go for a combi in the end because I don't have that much space, and must say I don't regret this decision at all. It's a great machine, haven't had any issues with it (I did hear complains about cheaper Brother combi machines) and it takes me less time to rethread than it would take me to change machines on the table.
If you like to sew/wear knits, both are great, as they are very fast and give you the needed stretchiness and no wavy seams. You can substitute with stretch stitches or double needle on your machine, so I wouldn't say it's mandatory to have one or the other. But they are nice to have :)

Mamashep

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #26 on: August 30, 2017, 22:51:13 PM »
Thanks for all the replies and info. I will go with laminate with a commercial guarantee. I don't know when it will get down now, as I have inherited a property, and need to do some decorating there as a priority

b15erk

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #27 on: August 31, 2017, 08:58:05 AM »
I now have the Featherweight, but can't seem to part with any of the others.....

Must get my head around it, some I don't use, some I can't use, and some were only bought on a whim.

Do I have a problem?  ;)

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.

Sewbee

Re: Multiple machines
« Reply #28 on: September 20, 2017, 20:32:50 PM »
We'll have to stage an 'intervention'.  0_0

Yes!! I just bought one machine and I am getting the urge to buy a second!  |O