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Topics - Kaliratbags

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Vintage Machines / Gone and bought another Singer... now10 and counting...

« on: February 24, 2021, 11:33:21 AM »

Having already taken possession of a 96k49 and a 31k15 treadle (will convert to hand crank)... I've now gone and agreed to buy a 31k47, which is a walking foot machine with a 3/8 of an inch clearance - that should get stuff done...

Anyone else got one?

Hi, I'm new... / Hello from the Mild Mild West

« on: February 11, 2021, 17:46:14 PM »

Hi all,

Newbie here!

I'm from Bath but have lived in Bristol for more years than I wish to admit, and have been sewing on machines since I was about 5 (and yes, I still have them both, an Elna Lotus Zig Zag, and a Frister and Rossman 45, one from each Grandmother.)

My biggest disappointment was wanting a sewing machine for my birthday at 14 (I did O level needlework) and my Dad buying me new Toyota machine from Argos, when I was desperate for a 50s/60s green Viking or a black Singer, and had specifically requested 'ones like we have at school.' Needless to say, that Toyota got traded in as soon as I could, and I got a 1970's Viking Husqvarna 6570, then traded that in for another, a Viking Husqvarna Interlude 435, and another, which is a Viking Husqvarna Platinum 955E, with the read/write card reader and all the bits. Think that might get traded in soon! Just not using the embroidery element.

My 'thing' is quilting - well, specifically traditional American blockwork with Civil War fabrics, or some lovely vintage looking Moda yardage. I've taught a number of novices, run courses and workshops, but I'm not the most patient of people, it's very time consuming and the pay is not great! I'll stick to the day job (Research Data Management... that pays the bills

)

Sewing wise, I can run up curtains, blinds, etc., I'm very average at dressmaking (fiddly), and I really want to get into some light leatherwork (clothes, motorcycle vests, rather than saddlery) and corset making.

I've got 7 other vintage Singer machines (not all of them work!) and I'm in the market for an old 96K or 31K Singer at the moment, just as soon as I work out stuff about servo motors and clutch motors!

What else... hobbies... well I have 2 children, two German Shepherds, and a full time job, so not much! Learned crocheting last year, I do a bit of powerlifting when the gyms are open, I bake cakes and bread, cook, make marmalade, and ride a motorcycle.

Looking forward to getting to see your machines and projects!

Vintage Machines / Forum newbie, vintage machine advice needed!

« on: February 11, 2021, 12:24:08 PM »

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!

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