| Archive for The Potting Shed A forum to discuss Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Countryside, Livestock and Pets |
| Leonie2 |
non-electric sewing machines (Aqui)AquiModerator Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 316 Location: my desk, Londonish Posted: 18 Apr 2006 10:00 am Post subject: non-electric sowing machines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My mum has a spare sowing machine - it was my gran's on dad's side and is rather old and one of those hand cranked ones. Again you lot have been influencing me - I'm thinking of making some cushion covers (out of a skirt - well wrap - that no longer fits) and a seat cover (nasty orange thing that it is!) Would a veritable novice be ok with a hand-turny machine thing? I haven't used a sowing machine since school, about 16plus years ago. (and I wasn't particularly good at it then, but I can learn!) and - any tips? _________________ The quiet power of growing things is truly magical Back to top mrutty Perennial Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 309 Posted: 18 Apr 2006 10:12 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hand cranked is in my view easier than powered. It can't run away with you. Also you can punch through thicker material where an electric would slip the belt. I used to repair canvas tents with our hand Singer. _________________ I'm a sprout, I'm green and I make you fart! Back to top D Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 528 Location: North Yorkshire Posted: 18 Apr 2006 11:09 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have a hand controlled one too, it was hubby's grandma's. Do you have the make etc? Somewhere I posted details of a website dedicated to old sewing machines. Dx _________________ my new blog is here...early days yet! http://www.manicfish.com/myblog.php?bbn=mrsnesbitt Back to top Plocket Evergreen Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 865 Location: The playroom! Posted: 18 Apr 2006 04:43 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think you'd be best to start off with a hand machine - much more control and power. And when you are more confident you might move on to a powered one, but I know people who'd prefer to stick to the manual ones! You might want to get someone to clean it and check it's running ok first if it hasn't been used for a long time - your dad? Or ask at your local fabric shop. _________________ A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands www.plocket.co.uk Back to top Aqui Moderator Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 316 Location: my desk, Londonish Posted: 20 Apr 2006 09:52 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That is good news! Forgot to ask mum what make it was! _________________ The quiet power of growing things is truly magical Back to top Haize Perennial Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 389 Posted: 20 Apr 2006 12:19 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glad to hear the advice that manual is a good starting point... I've been lent a manual singer by my MIL, because I wanted to have a go at clothes making. (I really do hate clothes shopping that much! ). However, I might go visit my sister (who has electric) when I need to make all the curtains for our new house... Back to top Aqui Moderator Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 316 Location: my desk, Londonish Posted: 20 Apr 2006 01:01 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hate clothes shopping too. But have recently discovered the joys of charity shops - I actually enjoy shopping there. Went yesterday, bought three tops for £7.50 in total! (and it's recycling and all the money goes to a good cause!) _________________ The quiet power of growing things is truly magical Back to top n Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 334 Posted: 20 Apr 2006 01:27 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have never used a hand operated machine, but I love to use a treadle. Of course it doesn't fit in a cupboard like a smaller machine, but you do have both hands to steer the fabric. n Back to top |
| Aqui |
I have my sewing machine now.
It is a Singer and it is beautiful. It's old, probably at least 50 years old. Dad can't remember when his mum bought it, but I doubt it was new when she did. It's black with gold stuff printed on it - really ornate, pictures of egyptian things! I must look up somewhere to see if I can find when it was made. I spent ages playing with it - had to work out first of all which way to turn the... um... thing. THen I thought I'd broken it. If the thread gets unthreaded, I'm dead as it's so complicated to thread. But I'm really excited about using it. I have some nasty boring material to practise on and shall experiment with sewing straight lines! Then when I've mastered that, I'll get the proper material out and make some cushion covers. And when I'm confident with that, I'll try adapting my wardrobe. So exciting! |
| Aqui |
Just done a bit of googling - it looks like it's from c. 1940. So even older than my dad!
I managed to find an instruction manual too. AMazing this internet! |