Sewing machine

[mbugland]

Originally posted by alaninoz:
... And people say archery is expensive! [/qb]

Alan, that's no joke. I do think I am going to be a victim/benefactor of the same though.  My wife picked up quilting from  neighbor a few months back, she just purchased her second Bernina(both old models) the neighbor is about 5-6 machines into it, rents a long-arm every couple months too.

I just want to reenforce the stitching in my pants, make a few mods to gear and have a couple things that work the way I want them to. Interesting to see this thread pop up when it does..... Must be idle hands season.

[halfseminole]

Am I the only one that still hand sews all their stuff?  We have a machine, but it's not up to heavy materials, so I do all my leather and stuff by hand.

[tim roberts]

 

Hard to beat an old Singer!
Thanks,

[Oldbow KY]

Nice post Mates. Very interesting.

Does anyone have a source for wool plaids in the 18-29 oz. range??   Without breaking the bank?

[alaninoz]

Originally posted by halfseminole:
Am I the only one that still hand sews all their stuff?  We have a machine, but it's not up to heavy materials, so I do all my leather and stuff by hand.

Nope. For all the fancy machines around the house I still do most of my sewing by hand. Only use the machines for clothing.

[Kevin Dill]

I learned some valuable stuff from a guy who lived in Montreal. He was a dedicated hand-stitcher and gave me some good pointers about sewing by hand. There are really 2 or 3 negatives if they matter: Seams won't be as perfect-looking. Fingers might get sore. It will take longer. BUT, you can sew a tighter stitch by hand and do little customizations that would make you crazy with a machine. I hand-stitched a bunch of custom webbing to my packframe a few years ago. It involved bar-tacking 3 layers of heavy 1" wide nylon webbing. Every stitch was made holding the crewel (needle) with pliers, and I used heavy upholstery thread. It took many hours to add all the webbing to the frame. My bar-tacks were so tight they squeaked. Nothing will ever make them fail I'm certain. I use that frame to haul heavy loads of meat and supplies into camp. I might have been able to do the sewing on my Bernina, but managing the frame and webbing would have taken serious thought and maybe an extra set of hands. Nothing will ever replace hand-stitching, but nothing will ever get me to part with my machine either.

[sswv]

my wife has a 30 year old Singer (newer ones are disposable) and a new Brother quilting machine. after seeing the heavy, thick quilt material she outs thru them wool would not be a problem with either machine.

I have a high $$$ Husqvarna(sp) that my wife inherited from her grandma. She sewed a dress or shirt or something on it 20yrs ago, and has not touched it since. I use it all the time for fixing up hunting clothes and stuff!

Bisch

[Phrogdrvr]

I like this thread (pun intended).  I like to use my sewing machines a lot.  Here is one of my favorites that I think you folks may enjoy.  It's called simply Elna, some folks call it a No1 because it was the first sewing machine Elna produced, or the Grasshopper because of its looks.  They were made in Switzerland between 1940 and 1952 or so.  It is super portable and folds up neatly into this little case.
 

Here's what it looks like inside:
 

Here's the Grasshopper all set up.  Notice the case makes its own work table, cool design.
 

Here's a closeup of the Grasshopper for your edification:
 

I have a couple of these because spare parts are tough to come by.  Hope you enjoyed.

Tom

[Kevin Dill]

Now THAT'S traditional! Cool machine Tom.

[2nocks]

I use this 1/2 horsepower commercial machine. Haven't hooked it back up since I moved. I don't worry about changing the needles very often with this one.

Agree, wool should be easy to sew.

 [/IMG]

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by sswv:
my wife has a 30 year old Singer (newer ones are disposable) and a new Brother quilting machine. after seeing the heavy, thick quilt material she outs thru them wool would not be a problem with either machine.

I agree about the newer Singers. My wife has one that's less than 10 years old and is junk. When it started acting up she was told it would cost more to repair than replace.

Ironically enough, my 100-year-old Singer treadle machine still works great.

[fujimo]

wow that elna is cool.
Elna's are still a popular make today!

2 nocks-  those industrial machines are pretty skookhum, and really easy to work on, set timing etc. just that industrial machines are not multifunctional, like the home machines. but I sure prefer them!

[emac396]

I scored a Kenmore from a friend "FREE" Its perfect starter machine. Before I dive into making a pullover from my Grandads old woolrich I need to do a few starter projects, Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance pics would be great.
              Ed

[pinky]

You could always start with a bow sock.  simple tube and useful. I made a camo fleece pull over hoody years ago in a home-ec class. buried deep somewhere by now.   :rolleyes:

[Whitetail Addict]

I've wanted one for years. I've always hand stitched the things I've made or repaired, but a machine sure would be faster, and do a nicer job.

There are other things I've wanted to do, but the amount of stitching needed, has kept me from doing them.

How cool is this? A site where a bunch of guys can talk about sewing machines, and not get laughed at.    

I've gotta get one, one of these days.

Bob

[Sam McMichael]

emac396, you may want to buy some inexpensive, cotton muslin material to begin with. Make several items with it till you learn the ropes. If you screw up, it does not cost much and allows you a good chance for a do-over before committing your expensive material to a project. I admire your initiative. I have threatened to learn to sew a few times but have not yet done so.

[ozy clint]

Originally posted by Gray Buffalo:
All trad shooters should have a sewing machine.

x2!!

i just finished a bino harness. i'd be lost without my sewing machine.
i mean, imagine not having custom gear.