Sewing Machines ?

Sewing Machines ? (Full Version)

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Aneirin -> Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 12:23:23 PM)
I have been after a sewing machine for quite a while now, and as chance would have it, in conversation over the weekend, it was mentioned, and now I have been given a sewing machine. Now, as I am kind of apocalyptic in my mentality, I was particularly after a hand cranked machine, and boy, did I get one. An old Singer 28k, built in 1914 in Scotland, and I believe it still works, not that I would know, I have not got a clue how to use it, so all I have done, is lubed the thing up and made sure everything that is supposed to move moves. But does anyone still use these old machines, and can anyone point me in the direction of somewhere online that will show me how to string the thing up and use it ? Oh, and BTW, one of the reasons I am fascinated with these machines, is that they are a mechanical masterpiece, and this one I have was built long before built in obsolelesence became the norm, so perhaps built to last forever, if not just a goodly long while.

pahunkboy -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 12:26:24 PM)
I heard that machine is better then the new ones.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 12:34:03 PM)
My granny had one that was in the family for ages, I think mom has it now, stringing it up works pretty much like the new ones, that principle hasn't changed at all, the wheel on the side you have to stroke towards you all the time or else for some odd reason the thread breaks (was allowed to play with the machine as a kid)

pahunkboy -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 12:35:38 PM)
http://www.google.com/search?q=Singer+28k&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 1:46:12 PM)
I had a hand-crank Singer for a while. It was OK, but it took quite a knack to use it. I really needed both hands to guide the material through. Now, I've got one of the first generation motorised Singers (a 98K). After many hours of practice, I can manage straight lines. I expect my medal ASAP. OP: if you don't already know, you need advice on how to thread the thing. I ballsed-up for many months before finally discovering that this was due to my threading it wrongly. Intuitive it ain't.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 1:49:27 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PeonForHer I had a hand-crank Singer for a while. It was OK, but it took quite a knack to use it. I really needed both hands to guide the material through. Now, I've got one of the first generation motorised Singers (a 98K). After many hours of practice, I can manage straight lines. I expect my medal ASAP. By now I would have expected you to have the pink tutu ready and the gay elf costume you've been dreaming about but are too embarrassed to buy, I thought that was the whole reason why you wanted a sewing machine ;)

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 2:15:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze By now I would have expected you to have the pink tutu ready and the gay elf costume you've been dreaming about but are too embarrassed to buy, I thought that was the whole reason why you wanted a sewing machine ;) I doubt I'll ever be that good with my Singer. But - frigging hell. A man can give all the hints he likes about what he wants for Christmas - to women to whom he's absolutely sure he's given his address on multiple occasions - and he still only gets bladdy aftershave, if he's lucky.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 2:26:32 PM)
OK, I shall make you the pink tutu, as soon as I can walk again, come over and I get the splitter lead and take you and Kia out for a stroll in the park ;)

Jaybeee -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 2:44:30 PM)
No woman's workspace is complete without a Singer.

pahunkboy -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 2:49:29 PM)
For Christmas I would like to feel 30 again.

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 3:01:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze OK, I shall make you the pink tutu, as soon as I can walk again, come over and I get the splitter lead and take you and Kia out for a stroll in the park ;) Awwww blush . . . And I'll get you a very strong, mostly steel and very ankle-supporting, pair of ex-paratrooper boots I've seen in the local army surplus store. The three of us will look so cute together!

LadyConstanze -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 3:06:42 PM)
You should know me, if I got ankle support then I will possibly break the shin, just above the ankle ;)

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 3:33:14 PM)
Yep, I can believe that! [:D]

Medic -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 5:18:31 PM)
That's quite the machine. You can download the manual at the singer website. I think it's singerco.com

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 5:23:20 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Medic That's quite the machine. You can download the manual at the singer website. I think it's singerco.com I've got the manual! I was astonished: some kind soul uploaded scans of the original leaflet to some other website - yellowed old paper, and all. It was quite surprising what I learned from it, and how much I'd been getting things wrong beforehand.

DomKen -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 6:00:19 PM)
My grand mother had an old hand crank machine. It's very hard to use the machine since you need to spin that wheel at an even pace. I've seen slightly newer ones that are cranked by footpedal that seems like it should be easier, both hands are available at least. Realistically what you have is a museum or collectors item. I'd try and find a newer machine to actually do any sewing.

PeonForHer -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 6:09:18 PM)
I got my hand-crank one in order to sew a new panel on a tent inner, Ken. The result wasn't neat, but I did in a couple of hours what could have literally taken days otherwise. For ten quid, it certainly paid for itself on that job alone. Even with a hand-cranker, I'd still say you're in a different league to that of stitching with no machine at all.

Medic -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 6:51:05 PM)
My grandmother had one of those machines and could sew the dickens out of anything. I never saw her break stride, but I'll be damned if I could figure out how she did it.

TreasureKY -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 8:12:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PeonForHer I got my hand-crank one in order to sew a new panel on a tent inner, Ken. The result wasn't neat, but I did in a couple of hours what could have literally taken days otherwise. For ten quid, it certainly paid for itself on that job alone. Even with a hand-cranker, I'd still say you're in a different league to that of stitching with no machine at all. If you're mechanically inclined, you can find an old treadle base and convert from hand-crank to treadle. I used one for years and loved it. Firm and I finally got rid of it just two years ago when we moved... with all the cast iron, it weighed a friggin ton!

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Sewing Machines ? (12/20/2010 8:12:35 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pahunkboy For Christmas I would like to feel 30 again. Make up your mind. I thought you wanted a pony! God, you're hard to shop for. I'm glad i save the receipts!

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