tessagin

It's gorgeous. I like blonde wood. Actually any wood that's in good shape.

Quincunx

I am going to file that one away in the tip jar. Right next to the notes on kantha quilt jackets. The kantha quilts were hand stitched with a running stitch and so they made flexible jackets and store bought quilted fabric was not as supple and I had wondered why.

Manalto

I wonder too if, all other things being equal, cotton thread is more flexible than polyester. Someone should start a new topic and ask! http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ml#post7383865

ManiacQuilter2

She looks so shinny and bright. All she needs is a Xmas bow on top.

Manalto

And I know the perfect person to give her to. He's sitting in my chair right now! Actually, I'd be thrilled if I could find more people around here who were interested in good vintage machines; I'd definitely thin the herd.

caspharm

Very nice machine.

I have to do some work on my 99 before I can try and use. I tested her at the store, but she seemed to work pretty well.

Sewnoma

I love 99's. I think they're adorable, like a puppy version of the 66. (And who doesn't love puppies?) I have two 99K's from the mid-50's and I also have a 185J, but can't remember age on that one. They all are great stitchers.

I have to confess I don't use them very often, though. I'm always sewing on my "newest" machine in the herd, which lately I've been into zigzaggers, I have a Universal I'm toying around with and still buffing up "Betty" the White.

It's interesting comparing my two 99's - they're only a couple years apart in age but they run pretty differently. One I bought at a thrift shop and it looks like it just came from the show room - doesn't look like it was used at all. The other was abandoned in a garage and given to me for free; wiring was shot, lamp was gone, and she's definitely seen a lot of use. I bolted on a different motor that had good wiring (and the lamp intact) and that 99 runs so much smoother than the "new" one. Neither runs poorly, but the one that's been used runs smoother - with the belt off that thing will glide for a LONG time; the newer one glides for a bit but stops sooner, even with fresh oil on both.

I think that's neat because it so clearly illustrates the difference between a broken in machine and one that's still "new".

Manalto

I agree. Some of my best machines are the ones that have been dinged up a bit from use. (An added benefit is that you don't have to worry about blemishing a pristine vintage machine, if that's your inclination.) Another possibility is that the stiffer 99 could use a flushing out to remove old oil residue that's turned to varnish causing drag on the mechanism. I use kerosene for the job because it's cheap and effective. (I try not to use it inside, but the odor dissipates pretty quickly after clean up.) I only mention this because I've had near-miraculous results with this method on machines that seemed OK but were transformed into Swiss timepieces.

185s were made between the halcyon years of 1958 and 1963. Your J is Canadian made.

Straight-stitchers are soothing to use. I swear they've saved me a fortune in psychiatrist bills.