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Topics - b15erk

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226
Vintage Machines / Featherweight failure??
« on: August 08, 2017, 15:16:17 PM »
I think I may need professional help here, but here's the story so far.

I was trying to clean the tension discs and set the tension on the Featherweight, which was just a bit out.  I got called away to the phone, and unfortunately, I was away some time.

I got back to the machine running by itself, not unusual, I assumed it was the capacitor.  What did concern me, was the motor running very hot, and slightly smoking....  I've left it to cool down, and won't run it again today.

My concern is, have I wasted my money? 

Up until I left it - and I do realise I shouldn't have left it plugged in - it was running beautifully.  I was just being uber fussy with the tension.

Advice needed please.  Feeling quite sad :(

:( :vintage: :(
Jessie

227
In the wardrobe / Jeans alteration?
« on: August 07, 2017, 12:09:20 PM »
I've just inherited a pair of jeans from DD - I snaffled them from the charity shop bag, as I liked the fabric.

The problem is, they are quite big on me - 2" plus, and as the fabric is stretch, they are constantly falling down. I need to know if there is a fix for this - preferably one involving minimal unpicking!

Jessie

228
Vintage Machines / Help! Stuck Screw :(
« on: August 03, 2017, 11:54:51 AM »
Well, the restoration of the 221k started - and stopped pretty quickly!  :S

I have a stuck screw on the throat plate - right under the tension assembly!  It's a really awkward position, and I've tried different screw drivers, and Plus Gas, but it's not moving.

Wondering if it may be easier to dismantle the Tension assembly, but very reluctant to do this.  Firstly, it may still not work, and second, it may mess a perfectly good tension up.

Any help out there?

Jessie

229
I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / Cheap Sewing machine oil
« on: August 03, 2017, 09:05:33 AM »
I don't know why I never thought of it before. 

I've just acquired a Singer Featherweight, so cleaning and oiling will use quite a lot of oil.  I looked at the prices for Sewing machine oil, and it seemed quite expensive especially when you add in the postage, so I looked nearer to home.

We work near a company called Caldo which is quite a big local lubricants supplier, who OH deals with often.  While I was there, just on the off chance, I asked about Sewing Machine, or Gun Oil.  Of the two, Gun Oil is more expensive, so I went with the SM Oil.  Couldn't believe it when he came back with the price - £4-75 for a litre!

The chap I dealt with was bemused that I was so pleased with the price!

The one near my work, is in Sutton, St Helens, but I can only see two other depots listed:  one on Newton Abbot, and one in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire.

Failing that, check to see if you have a local lubricants distributor, and enquire at the Trade Counter.

Jessie

230
I bought a lovely Marina Brumpton girls pattern yesterday - The Kitty round yoked tunic, and it had a 25% off code.  This is valid for 7 days.

This is a multi - sized pdf - you print off the size you want at the time. 

I've made several MB patterns and they are lovely.  She also accompanies them with several videos. 

If you have girlies, this one will be well used!

Jessie

231
Vintage Machines / My new project 221k!
« on: August 01, 2017, 09:19:23 AM »
Thanks to a link from Mme Cholet I was led into Gumtree and it's mysteries.  It pulled up a 221k only 5 mins away from me for £300!!  Now to me, that seemed a lot.  So, over the course of yesterday, I negotiated a better price.  It's not an amazing bargain, I got it for £150, but it's mine, and it's the one machine I've really wanted for a while.  (Unless a White 222k comes along that is).

She is missing her tray (inside the box), and will need a good clean and tidy up before I can see what's what. 

Any Featherweight tips I should know?

Mrs Happy this morning:)

:D  :vintage: :D
Jessie

232
I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / A new (to me) source
« on: July 28, 2017, 14:52:11 PM »
I found an email in my inbox, not unusual, but I don't often have time to look at them all.  This was from Oxfam, and after looking at the old books  (lots of sewing books), I landed here: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/search-results?=intcmp;i=1;intsearch=internal;page=7;q1=Household;q2=Textiles;q3=Sewing%2C+knitting+%26+haberdashery;show_all=products;x1=secondary_cat_1;x2=secondary_cat_2;x3=secondary_cat_3&gid=&owner=

Plenty of patterns, a lot of the modern ones are reasonably priced too.  Also, a bit of fabric.

I've seen a couple that I'll be going back for:)

Jessie

233
Not been feeling too good today, and so I've done some totally unnecessary rootling round t'interweb.

Who knew that Debbie Shore had her own range of patterns?  While they are not for me, they are OK, and seem to be basic patterns.  What I did find interesting, is that she does videos which accompany them.  Now I've watched a couple, and while I could jump up and down at some of her techniques (setting in a lined sleeve  :o)  they are good quality productions, and give a blow by blow of how to make the garment.

If nothing else, it will pass a few minutes...

http://www.debbieshore.tv/classicmenshirt/
http://www.debbieshore.tv/prettypjs/

Jessie


234
Patterns Discussion / Burda 6764
« on: July 20, 2017, 09:00:02 AM »
This is a pattern I bought from my local fabric store, reduced to £1 each, I bought three really useful patterns.

Very quick make, even I couldn't make a meal out of this!  I'm very pleased with it, considering that it was a first (there will be more!). The main problem was the cheap fabric, it was curling like mad, just took a bit of patience.

Only three pieces, and the only thing to be careful of is the order of making up, just so that you get a nice even finish on the top stitching.  This I did on the sewing machine, with the twin needle, instead of saddling up the coverstitch.

If you like things a bit more modest, that would be easily done.

In my mind, I'm looking longingly at a stretch lace version....

Jessie 


235
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Old patterns
« on: July 17, 2017, 11:31:31 AM »
I have several boxes full of these, and they will never get used.  They were given to me when a customer's wife closed her sewing shop.

I think I may have used a couple.

Can anyone think of a person or institution which may be able to use these?  Otherwise they will go to the local charity shop.

They are all lacking their front covers, but are otherwise unused.

Jessie

236
Fun with Fabric / Linen, and linen mix
« on: July 13, 2017, 11:04:08 AM »
I have a couple of pieces of fabric which I'm hoping to make into shirt dresses.  After my last experience with loose weave fabrics, does anyone have any tips, to stop the seams from pulling?

I've pictured both fabrics, as you can see, the first, the Linen Viscose, is a very loose weave, but it's a lovely weight.  The second I'm not sure is linen - no lables, maybe a fine cotton.  It's quite lightweight.

Any suggestions of how to treat these fabrics will be appreciated.  I love both, but would rather not have the seams splitting if I can help it.

Jessie

237
Patterns Discussion / Marfy, free pattern toile
« on: July 13, 2017, 09:21:17 AM »
I wasn't sure I would ever make this, but being at a loose end, and not wanting a challenging project, I cut it out.

First, let me say, the fabric is left over from the Vogue toile, and is very difficult to work with.  Crepe de chine type, completely off grain (that's why it was so cheap), and slides about unmercifully.

Never intended to be worn, the finish inside is rough to say the least, but I will wear it, just because I like it!  :P

Problem areas are the sleeves, which sit very low, and are what we used to call 'cut-away'.  These, I just bound with bought bias binding, as I didn't want to take any more away from the sleeve.

No instructions, but easy peasy to put together, although I'm intending a version with a better back neck fastening.

A very nice top, which hides those 'difficult' areas around the neck - for those of us of a 'certain age'.

I've got some very pretty silk which I think will suit this top very well.....

Jessie

238
Fun with Fabric / Seams pulling apart
« on: July 12, 2017, 09:14:13 AM »
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but feel free to move it if not.

I made 4 pairs of cut offs last year and they were perfect for holidays, but on two of the pairs, I'm having trouble with the seams pulling apart.

The first pair, the ones I love most, are a loose weave linen type fabric.  I used iron on interfacing inside as they were a tad see-through, and I'm not fond, but it does the job.  It doesn't however, stop the seams pulling apart.  The trousers are not too tight, if anything they stretch with wearing, but the seams are looking to split before long.

The second pair, are a sort of glazed cotton, and I haven't even worn these as I know they will split the instant I sit down!

The last two pairs have been worn and worn.  One is a stretch denim, and so comfortable!  The second is regular denim, made from reclaimed M&S trousers. 

Any solutions for the first two?  Or do I have to write them off?

Any suggestions for avoiding the problem?  I would be very grateful.

Jessie

239
Patterns Discussion / McCalls 4007
« on: July 12, 2017, 08:55:25 AM »
I had this pattern cut out before I found I had Shingles, so this was made completely under the influence of anti viral meds and Tramadol! :)

I finished it last night, and on the whole I'm very pleased with it, although I would change a few things next time.

I find the front band is very wide, and next time I will narrow it down.  It's also very fiddly to do the front edges, which end up being quite bulky.  I would also use the most lightweight interfacing on the FB, as I used the only grey one I had, and it rippled a bit.

I found the idea of a wrap around tie to be potentially bulky, so I just had a tie on the left front.  The inside I fastened with a loop in the side seam, and a press stud fastener.

Too much hand sewing for me, and I must change this, and try for a machine friendly front band :)

On the whole though, I love it, although it's sleeveless because I didn't have enough fabric, this is why the front band is pieced too.  On to matching trousers now.

Jessie

240
Vintage Machines / I want to buy a Monogrammer....
« on: June 30, 2017, 10:47:06 AM »
I have a penchant for one of these to use on my older machines.  I have seen a rather nice one which has a small hoop, and does small embroidery motifs as well, but I couldn't see what the model was.

Anyone have experience of these and can advise on models?

My slant shank machine seems favourite to use it on, but I also have other straight stitch and zig zag machines.

Jessie

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