Sewing Sundays with Mom

[Rosco]

In my quest for a more youthful Ericson and perhaps self, I bought an old all metal sewing machine. I think a Sailrite is in my future. Thankfully my 86 year old mom has been a sewer for decades so when the things seem daunting she comes to the rescue with her Pfaff machine. It makes for a great connection every Sunday. I started with smaller items which are quite difficult due to round tops and my need for speed which always leads to seam ripper and redo. Inspiration was Christian's Sewmanship video. The big stuff is next, Mainsail cover, helm cover and coaming cover. Colour is Greige as they call it.

 

[peaman]

round tops and my need for speed

Agreed that curved seams can be a real challenge when neatness is a priority. If you can shake the need for speed, I have found that being able to really control the stitch speed is key. After a few months of use, I decided to upgrade my Sailrite LSZ machine with their WorkerB power pack system, which allows seriously low speed with plenty of power. From the web site, it looks like the WorkerB might be standard now with the Ultrafeed machines, while that wasn't the case a couple years ago.

 

[Rosco]

I did buy a dimmer switch to limit speed but have not used it yet. I have few options with my 1962 Machine. Once I grab a Sailrite the options must be amazing. Those old foot pedals go from slow to rapid seemingly with a slight foot movement. Thank you for insight.

 

[Loren Beach]

After a few months of use, I decided to upgrade my Sailrite LSZ machine with their WorkerB power pack system, which allows seriously low speed with plenty of power. From the web site, it looks like the WorkerB might be standard now with the Ultrafeed machines, while that wasn't the case a couple years ago.

For us non-sewers, this information might be similar to the first time I explained to a newer sailor a "dip pole jibe".

 

[AK67]

Nice work, and I like the greige. Sewing has also become one of my off-season interests, using my great aunt's heavy, ancient Singer and a canvas needle. Bought an old mainsail cover for a couple bucks and have been using it, mostly sacrificially, for winch covers and also a tiller cover. Next is a bow splash cover for the dinghy. You're dead on on the curved bits - the "learning curve".

 

[AK67]

I did buy a dimmer switch to limit speed but have not used it yet. I have few options with my 1962 Machine. Once I grab a Sailrite the options must be amazing. Those old foot pedals go from slow to rapid seemingly with a slight foot movement. Thank you for insight.

Ha - very true, 0-60 in 3 seconds! Takes a very light touch

 

[Rosco]

Here is my Kenmore workhorse with the 0 to 60 pedal. I think the machine is typical of white label Japanese made machines sold at Sears. This was seemingly a Canadian made version sold only at Sears Canada. That story was more interesting to me than the actual sewing.

 

[AK67]

Very nice. Mine's quite similar, but older. Built into a small table with a folding leaf, which is quite handy for handling material. Converted to LED for the light, like my boats. Will try to post a pic later. These are rugged little units!

 

[peaman]

Ha - very true, 0-60 in 3 seconds! Takes a very light touch

This is not at all the case with my Sailrite. The foot control is smooth with a good range of speed. In addition the speed range itself can be easily adjusted over a wide range by a knob on top of the machine, all with no loss of torque to drive the needle. It really is remarkable.

 

[Rosco]

Very nice. Mine's quite similar, but older. Built into a small table with a folding leaf, which is quite handy for handling material. Converted to LED for the light, like my boats. Will try to post a pic later. These are rugged little units!

LED is brilliant...mine gets very hot

 

[AK67]

LED is brilliant...mine gets very hot

Mine did too and was the reason for the switch. The brighter light for working too.

 

[AK67]

Here you go Rosco: I present my 1968 Singer Fashion Mate

 

[Chschaus]

I have been reupholstering the interior cushions on our 35-3 and found this machine a n affordable compromise to the SialRite.
Very powerful and runs nice and slow when needed.

SINGER® Heavy Duty 6800C Sewing Machine

The Heavy Duty 6800C computerized sewing machine is designed with your heavy duty projects in mind, from denim to canvas. Thanks to the machine’s powerful motor, you have extra high sewing speed to save you time. The throat space (working space between the needle and tower) is 6.4" or 163 mm...

www.singer.com

 

[AK67]

I have been reupholstering the interior cushions on our 35-3 and found this machine a n affordable compromise to the SialRite.
Very powerful and runs nice and slow when needed.

SINGER® Heavy Duty 6800C Sewing Machine

The Heavy Duty 6800C computerized sewing machine is designed with your heavy duty projects in mind, from denim to canvas. Thanks to the machine’s powerful motor, you have extra high sewing speed to save you time. The throat space (working space between the needle and tower) is 6.4" or 163 mm...

www.singer.com

Will have to give that a serious look. I like my old school model, but this is packed with useful features. Have you tried it on heavier canvas seams, eg with 2-3 layers?

 

[Chschaus]

Will have to give that a serious look. I like my old school model, but this is packed with useful features. Have you tried it on heavier canvas seams, eg with 2-3 layers?

I have run several layers of material as a test. I also did repairs on my old dodger (Sunbrella Fabric), replacing the zipper and sewing in a new vinyl window. As you can tell , my sewing need a lot of help ( I was Just learning to use the machine) but it got me another season out of the dodger. We has a new one installed this spring.

 

[Chschaus]

I have run several layers of material as a test. I also did repairs on my old dodger (Sunbrella Fabric), replacing the zipper and sewing in a new vinyl window. As you can tell , my sewing need a lot of help ( I was Just learning to use the machine) but it got me another season out of the dodger. We has a new one installed this spring.

It also handled the white leather on the grab edge.

 

[Bolo]

In my quest for a more youthful Ericson and perhaps self, I bought an old all metal sewing machine. I think a Sailrite is in my future. Thankfully my 86 year old mom has been a sewer for decades so when the things seem daunting she comes to the rescue with her Pfaff machine. It makes for a great connection every Sunday. I started with smaller items which are quite difficult due to round tops and my need for speed which always leads to seam ripper and redo. Inspiration was Christian's Sewmanship video. The big stuff is next, Mainsail cover, helm cover and coaming cover. Colour is Greige as they call it.

Try you hand making new cushions for your boat if needed. It was fun for me and a learning experience along with saving me lots of $$$!

 

[Christian Williams]

Comparison of three typical sewing machine beginner options:

 

[tenders]

FWIW, I remember that upgrading my regular household machine’s bulb to LED was a bit difficult because the bulb (vintage 1993) had no markings on it and the manual didn’t specify anything about it. My model is a White 1620 and there are millions of very similar machines out there with all kinds of brand names and model numbers that are indistinguishable from each other.

Turns out it’s a BA15D, double contact bayonet base. Perhaps these bulbs are standard in older machines and this information will save somebody else some time.

Also, the positioning of the LEDs in the new bulbs is such that some of them burn your retinas like lasers the second you pop open the door to thread the machine. Light cast in this direction is useless for the task of sewing, although there is some evidence to suggest that it scares off mold spores, rhinoceroses, and vampires, since none are in evidence near my sewing machine. The solution is to mount a little mask made of tinfoil on the side of the bulb to protect your eyes. You can even tape it in place, since the bulbs don’t get very hot.

The resulting LED light runs cool and is very bright. It’s a great little upgrade.

 

[Rosco]

Comparison of three typical sewing machine beginner options: