Happy Friday!Yesterday I got two runners quilted. I concentrated on trying to keep the stitching a little tighter and think its improving....so, I got ambitious and decided to try silver metallic thread on the next one. It did not join the completed pile because I spent most of the night taking all those little meandering stitches back out. All the tutorials I read/watched on free motion said to check the back often to see whats happening there... and now I know why! The silver was pulling and breaking on the back and was a MESS! I was going to include a picture of
the rats nest of thread that I pulled out, but, my darling daughter threw it away and it already had leftover spaghetti and coffee grinds dumped on it... figured you could do without that sight!
Today I am going to take my new babies to the sewing machine doctor for a check up. I got these two beauties at the local Goodwill over the last couple months. The green one is in a cabinet that is in great shape and I paid $15. It does not have a belt or a bobbin casing, but the motor runs and the mechanism works using the hand wheel so I don't expect major issues. From what I have found, this is made in Japan post WW2 and is a Singer clone, probably 15-81. Its so pretty!
This white one is a Necchi, made in Italy in the early 1950's and I picked it up for under $30 (didn't want to wait for the markdown and chance it being gone). I have plugged it in and it works great and it came with a carrying case. Online the rap on these is that found machines have tend to have gunked up and require lots of oil and TLC to get moving, but this sweetie runs like butter, but... I want to get a general tune up as I have this fear of sewing on it and having something dramatic like gooo leaking on my project :)It is pure coincidence that the sewing machine doctor I am taking these to is located in the store in the industrial area I went to earlier in the week.... if they happen to still have some of the lime damask left, I think it will be coming home with me :) I also might find my way over to Goodwill and see if there is anything worthy of my small but growing mid century sewing machine collection :)
Have a great weekend!
Oh what lucky finds on your sewing machines, I never find good things like that. BTW, I just came from carrie's and so glad I did!
ReplyDeleteJust popped in to say hello, I've had a few weeks off blogging so pop over and say hello.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Oh boy, you are brave to try to machine quilt with metallic thread. I am hand quilting one now with blue metallic and it can be a little troublesome. Cool machines. Hopefully you can get parts for them.
ReplyDeleteI love your machines. I also bought one at a thrift shop in summer but have not yet found the time to take it for a check up. I suppose the servicing will set me back with double the price I paid to buy it :-(
ReplyDeleteCool machines! I love the green one. way cool!
ReplyDeleteWish those old machines could talk:-) Trust me we with all of ours I certainly do but we have not managed to hear them yet. You should be fine with the mettalic thread. I think the secret with most machines is the needle
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the parts :-)
Cheers
Lynne
How charming that you've joined the blogosphere! And giving charms away too, at this early stage in your blogging... wow! What a generous spirit. Thanks for this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, Welcome to blogland, Carrie said you were a new blogger and sent me over. Those sewing machines are rare gems. I bought a Featherweight last year and I love it. It sews a wonderful straight stitch and is perfect for piecing and upholstery fabric. It helps that I have a friend who knows a lot about cleaning and repairing them.
ReplyDeleteYou're making me wish I had inherited mom's! So you quilt on machines and not a long-arm? Me too. I'm still learning so I prefer piecing bz I'm much more comfortable with that but I hope to get as good as you one day! Your stitching looks great. I've only attempted the walking foot and it wasn't too bad but I forgot to put the feed dogs down! Oh well, I'm learning. Cindy
ReplyDeleteWelcome to blogging! Love your machines, they look like they've been looked after and in good condition. I'm not brave enought to try metallic thread, I've heard it's tricky. I came visiting from Carries, bless her.
ReplyDeletePopped in to say Hello!!! love your sewing machines...real keepers. I have a thing for pinwheels, love your red ones.
ReplyDeleteHello - and a belated welcome to blogland. I too have not been blogging for long, and love to stitch - am about to post details of a fabric keepsake book I have just made for a grand-daughter. Enjoy your sewing machine finds, too; my first machine was a necchi which I eventually wore out. Ann from UK.
ReplyDeletecute new machines!!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog and I'll be bookmarking your site!
ReplyDeleteWhat cute machines you found at such a great price. Happy sewing.
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