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#11
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In article , Kate
Dicey of Customer of PlusNet plc (http://www.plus.net) uttered Those things are known in some places as Touch & swear! Or "Touch and Jam" -- AJH alpha dot hotel echo yankee whisky oscar oscar delta at tango echo sierra charlie oscar dot november echo tango |
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#12
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"IMS" wrote in message ... snipped Three years ago purchased a used top of the line Singer 401 for $100 (this machine was the best available in the 1950s) and it was by far the best SM purchase I made. All metal, gear driven (no belts), a boatload of built in decorative stitches, and will sew through anything you can fit under the foot. The old machines are so much better than the new ones available for the same $$ (or less). Now I have over 50 vintage machines; I took a SM repair class and can now repair them as well. And, I sew and quilt up a storm. -Irene -------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. --Mae West -------------- Hello Irene, I have a old Singer machine (black in a wood cabinet) that belonged to my grandmother who bought it in the 50's. I'm sorry to say it's just sitting around looking like an antique. It probably still works. Do you have any problems getting these old machines in cabinets serviced? I think I'll open the machine today and look for a model number or something that will indicate it's model. My grandmother was very efficient. I have a green box filled with all kinds of attachment for the machine including and a separate button hole thing. Now that I'm typing this, I can't believe I never tried the machine. I'll bet it hasn't been run in over 20 years. Liz |
#13
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Ward wrote:
Hello Irene, I have a old Singer machine (black in a wood cabinet) that belonged to my grandmother who bought it in the 50's. I'm sorry to say it's just sitting around looking like an antique. It probably still works. Do you have any problems getting these old machines in cabinets serviced? I think I'll open the machine today and look for a model number or something that will indicate it's model. My grandmother was very efficient. I have a green box filled with all kinds of attachment for the machine including and a separate button hole thing. Now that I'm typing this, I can't believe I never tried the machine. I'll bet it hasn't been run in over 20 years. Liz Chances are good that it doesn't need a "pro" servicing. Get a manual for it, and in there will be instructions for cleaning and oiling. If you need more information, come back and ask. You do want to thoroughly clean the tension assembly and the bobbin race. Here's a good reference: http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/index.html -- Joanne @ stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us http://bernardschopen.tripod.com/ Life is about the journey, not about the destination. |
#14
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For anyone who sews regularly buying a new sewing machine is a
very big deal. They will most likely keep it longer than they will keep whatever car they are currently driving. So if they aren't happy with their purchase, they are going to be unhappy for a very long time. What follows are just some ideas on buying the right sewing machine for you. When I purchased a new machine several years ago, I wrote down all the features that I felt were important to me, the price range I was comfortable with, and the names and addresses of the various dealers in the area. Today I would also visit the Web sites of the various manufacturers. Next I got brochures from all the companies (available at larger quilt shows) and read though them carefully. Armed with the lists and after reading all the sales brochures on each machine available, I could pretty much ignore the "sales pitch" and knew going in what I needed in a sewing machine and I tested each machine based on MY criteria. NOTE: When I did the testing, I left my checkbook, credit cards, etc. at home so I couldn't be tempted into buying one on the spot if I met a really good salesman. After visiting the various dealers I went home and looked over everything and bought the one I thought fit me best. I started out thinking that I would buy a Pfaff and wound up with a Viking. From that day to this I have been 100% satisfied with the machine I got. BUT that was the best sewing machine for ME, what I needed from a machine, and the way I sewed. Each sewer is different. I know another woman who bought a Bernina and hates it and another who doesn't understand how to use her sewing machine. Another woman couldn't figure out the programming on a Viking. Yet there are LOTS of satisfied customers who have each machine. It's because they have the right machine for THEM. Before buying, separate need from want. While it might be prestigious to own the top of the line sewing machine, if you aren't happy with it or don't know how to use it, you have wasted your money and will probably waste a lot of time trying to use a machine that isn't suited for you. My best advice to you is don't take other people's advice on which specific sewing machine to buy. Questions you need to answer: · What kind of sewer are you? o Are you an expert, average sewer, or a beginner? If you are a beginner you might want to get a cheaper model right now and wait a few years to see what kind of sewing you wind up doing. I started out making my own clothes and now almost exclusively do quilting. o Are you a professional seamstress, professional quilt maker or a costume designer that may need a heavy duty or specialized sewing machine? · What do you sew? o Do you make slipcovers? o Do you routinely sew very large items such as drapery? o What kind of fabrics do you sew? o Do you usually use upholstery fabric, silks, knits, denim, cottons, or a mix? · Where are you planning on keeping your sewing machine and where do you plan on using it? o Are you going to get it out of a closet each time you use it? Maybe the weight of each machine is something you need to consider. o Will you be sewing on the kitchen table (not recommended, but many of us started out that way.) o Do you have a room dedicated to sewing where your machine will stay undisturbed? o Do you have small children that might play with the tension dial? Some reset automatically? o Do you have a sewing cabinet? Will you be buying one in the future? · What features will best help you in YOUR kind of sewing? o If you do mostly quilting? Then maybe you only need a few basic stitches rather than a whole array of stitches. o If you are making clothing it's very important how you finish seams in certain garments. Do you have a serger or will you depend heavily on various zigzag stitches? o Do you do appliqué using a satin stitch? Some machines satin stitch better than others. o Does it have a freearm? Is this something you need? o Will you use a large assortment of decorative stitches? I have known people who got machines high end machines with vast stitch assortments and have never used them and they would have been just as happy with a cheaper machine. · Do you want an embroidery machine? o Is it something you would use or just something you want? This is a distinction I had to make. While I think embroidery machines are neat, they aren't something I would have much need for personally. · What do I need to avoid? o If the one you are looking at is computerized: § Can you figure out how to program it? How easy it is for you to learn programming (a must in some machines)? Note: If you find using a computer difficult, probably getting the most computerized machine that you have to constantly adjust won't be the best for you. o What features wouldn't you use and don't you need? Why pay money for 100 decorative stitches if you don't need them? · Transporting it: o Are you going to take it with you to classes? o Will you take it on an airline? o Does it pack up easily if you need to take it someplace? o What kind of carrying case does it have? · Basics & Extras o What kind of needles does it take? Are they expensive? Are they readily available? o What feet/attachments comes with the sewing machine? · What kind of extra feet/attachments are available that you need, etc. Are they expensive? Are they readily available? o What type of instruction classes are given FREE o Are there additional classes offered? o Can it be updated with new cards, attachments, programs, etc.? o Warranty. o Routine Maintenance § What kind of service is available in your area for cleaning and maintenance of your machine? § Can you afford the routine maintenance? · Features: o How easy is it to wind the bobbin? o Does it have an option on the needle position that enables it to have the needle down when you stop sewing? o Does it sew sideways (this was an important feature at the time I bought my machine because I was embellishing sweatshirts) On 11 Mar 2005 11:49:47 -0800, "carolyn" wrote: I am looking for a basic sewing machine. I have narrowed my choices down to models from Elna, Babylock, and Husqvarna/Viking. I know very little about the quality, reliability and service of any of the manufacturers. Any information or opinions would be a great help to me. TIA carolyn |
#15
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Thanks for the information. I think I'll give this a try. Nothing
ventured, nothing gained ... right? "Pogonip" wrote in message ... Ward wrote: Hello Irene, I have a old Singer machine (black in a wood cabinet) that belonged to my grandmother who bought it in the 50's. I'm sorry to say it's just sitting around looking like an antique. It probably still works. Do you have any problems getting these old machines in cabinets serviced? I think I'll open the machine today and look for a model number or something that will indicate it's model. My grandmother was very efficient. I have a green box filled with all kinds of attachment for the machine including and a separate button hole thing. Now that I'm typing this, I can't believe I never tried the machine. I'll bet it hasn't been run in over 20 years. Liz Chances are good that it doesn't need a "pro" servicing. Get a manual for it, and in there will be instructions for cleaning and oiling. If you need more information, come back and ask. You do want to thoroughly clean the tension assembly and the bobbin race. Here's a good reference: http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/index.html -- Joanne @ stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us http://bernardschopen.tripod.com/ Life is about the journey, not about the destination. |
#16
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In article ps.com,
Ward of AllTheNewsgroups.com uttered Thanks for the information. I think I'll give this a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained ... right? Do you know what model it is? At a rough guess, I'd echo the other advice. Give it a good clean out. Carefully undo the stitch plate. The feed-dog will contain a layer of fluff so compacted it will be like cardboard. Pick it out with a pin Take the shuttle race out and defluff it the same way *but* *beware*: if it's a model 66/ 99/ 201 with the drop-in bobbin, you will see a bit of bright red fluff/ felt to the side of the shuttle race. *Don't* get rid of this. It's purpose is that you put a spot of oil on it from time to time and it gently seeps into the works from there. Oil the rest from the outside as per the diagram in the manual. If you don't have the manual, you can find one on the web quite easily - if you draw a blank with Treadle On try http://www.ISMACS.net -- AJH alpha dot hotel echo yankee whisky oscar oscar delta at tango echo sierra charlie oscar dot november echo tango |
#17
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I have a Janome Decor- twin to the Elna decor, and my sis has a H/V Oscar.
We both like ours very much. Around here the H/V dealer has better sale prices but the Janome dealer is better with servicing & repairing. My last machine was a Singer my MIL gave me for a wedding gift 30+ years ago(nobody has a better MIL than mine, though once in a while I have heard of some who might be as nice) I loved the Singer for years, but it finally got old and cranky. My sis owned a secondhand White and hated trying to sew with it. When she finally got Oscar she found out that she really did like to sew. Neither of us have needed any repairs yet- 3 years for me and 2 for sis. Jane in NE Ohio "carolyn" wrote in message oups.com... I am looking for a basic sewing machine. I have narrowed my choices down to models from Elna, Babylock, and Husqvarna/Viking. I know very little about the quality, reliability and service of any of the manufacturers. Any information or opinions would be a great help to me. TIA carolyn |
#18
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If you have one of the OLD Singers, you have a jewel. My Mom still uses
hers. It made the nicest buttonholes, (that attachment needs a new screw). It has attachments for pin tucks, ruffles, sewing on lace and trims, rolled edges, darning, quilting, zippers & cording, and more I can't remember. Most of my & my sisters' clothes were made on that machine. It has it's own cabinet and operates with a knee lever instead of a foot pedal. Its only drawback is that it doesn't zig-zag. Oil it good before you try it out with good sewing machine oil- a drop or 2 in each little opening, and hand turn it a few times to loosen it up. If it is really stiff open it up & spray with WD40. wipe it, let it dry, then oil it. Cleaning, oiling, & new needles are all most of these old Singers need to purr like kittens. Jane in NE Ohio "Ward" wrote in message groups.com... Hello Irene, I have a old Singer machine (black in a wood cabinet) that belonged to my grandmother who bought it in the 50's. I'm sorry to say it's just sitting around looking like an antique. It probably still works. Do you have any problems getting these old machines in cabinets serviced? I think I'll open the machine today and look for a model number or something that will indicate it's model. My grandmother was very efficient. I have a green box filled with all kinds of attachment for the machine including and a separate button hole thing. Now that I'm typing this, I can't believe I never tried the machine. I'll bet it hasn't been run in over 20 years. Liz |
#19
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"Rebecca Tousey" wrote in message ... machine was a Singer my MIL gave me for a wedding gift 30+ years ago(nobody has a better MIL than mine, though once in a while I have heard of some who might be as nice) Sorry, but mine was the BEST! No, really, she was. She was supportive, she *loved* *me*, she never once criticized me, the way I kept our home, the way I treated my husband (her only child), or the way I raised our children. Never, in over 45 years that I knew her. I loved her so much I took her into our home and cared for her the last two years of her life. I still miss her. My greatest ambition is to be the same kind of MIL she was to my two sons-in-law. -- Beverly delete nospam and .invalid to reply |
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