Visit with Miriam and Phil
01-01-2013, 07:17 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Visit with Miriam and Phil
We just got home from a visit with Miriam and her husband Phil.
I had picked up an ancient Domestic treadle with most of the bottom, top and most of the coffin, she'd seen over here on CL. She had a couple sewing machines I wanted, and a couple we'd won on GW she picked up for us. So we did a bunch of swapping.
I now have a real purty metallic blue Precision HA-1 / 15 clone for my collection.
I also got another Kenmore we have to hunt up cams for, it was cheep so we didn't get hurt. A nice blue Sewmor 606 and a metalic silver Sewmor 404. 
She also had a couple of cases she gave me. One was more or less complete except the bottom had been termite fodder, and the other the bottom was OK but the top had come completely unglued. I'll have them fixed in due time. Thanks Miriam.
She's also got two Dressmaker 7000s just like mine. So I took mine over there and compared them all. Mine isn't as bad as I thought because both of hers do the same things mine does. I still have to tinker with the cam follower system. It doesn't fully fill out the patterns. But I'm closer to getting it to cooperate.
We also tried to diagnose what in the world is rattling inside my last Singer 413. Couldn't find it. Since it sews, I'm just gonna sell it and be done with it. ( I hope )
We parted out an old Singer 5 drawer treadle. I got the top part the hinges mount to for my 9W-7 treadle and some screws.
That will come much closer to getting that machine back in it's treadle.
Got some motors to mess with and gave Miriam a genuine J Miller Whacky bag.
It was fairly cold in the shop house so we retired to the back of the house and gobbled up some home made chile. Emmmm, emmm gooood. It hit the spot on this cold brrrrrrrr day.
After that I went over to the blue house and visited with Phil. He showed me all the work he'd been doing on the house.
WOW, I can see the huge amount of work he's already done, and yet he's still got a long way to go. It will be a really nice place when he gets done, that I can see.
On the way to Indy we saw a really nice coyote in the median looking like he'd just woke up, and on the way back just outside of Indy we saw a whole heard of dear down in a field.
All in all we had a great visit and a nice trip.
Joe and Elaine
I had picked up an ancient Domestic treadle with most of the bottom, top and most of the coffin, she'd seen over here on CL. She had a couple sewing machines I wanted, and a couple we'd won on GW she picked up for us. So we did a bunch of swapping.
I now have a real purty metallic blue Precision HA-1 / 15 clone for my collection.
I also got another Kenmore we have to hunt up cams for, it was cheep so we didn't get hurt. A nice blue Sewmor 606 and a metalic silver Sewmor 404. She also had a couple of cases she gave me. One was more or less complete except the bottom had been termite fodder, and the other the bottom was OK but the top had come completely unglued. I'll have them fixed in due time. Thanks Miriam.
She's also got two Dressmaker 7000s just like mine. So I took mine over there and compared them all. Mine isn't as bad as I thought because both of hers do the same things mine does. I still have to tinker with the cam follower system. It doesn't fully fill out the patterns. But I'm closer to getting it to cooperate.
We also tried to diagnose what in the world is rattling inside my last Singer 413. Couldn't find it. Since it sews, I'm just gonna sell it and be done with it. ( I hope )
We parted out an old Singer 5 drawer treadle. I got the top part the hinges mount to for my 9W-7 treadle and some screws.
That will come much closer to getting that machine back in it's treadle.
Got some motors to mess with and gave Miriam a genuine J Miller Whacky bag.
It was fairly cold in the shop house so we retired to the back of the house and gobbled up some home made chile. Emmmm, emmm gooood. It hit the spot on this cold brrrrrrrr day.
After that I went over to the blue house and visited with Phil. He showed me all the work he'd been doing on the house.
WOW, I can see the huge amount of work he's already done, and yet he's still got a long way to go. It will be a really nice place when he gets done, that I can see.
On the way to Indy we saw a really nice coyote in the median looking like he'd just woke up, and on the way back just outside of Indy we saw a whole heard of dear down in a field.
All in all we had a great visit and a nice trip.
Joe and Elaine
01-02-2013, 07:34 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 3,992
I was wondering about your "little girl dressed in blue"! Sounds as if you began the New Year in a big way. What size squares do you use to make your "Wacky Bags". Or does it matter? I am cutting scraps into squares and strips, a long and tedious process, to de-scrap my my stash.
01-02-2013, 08:18 AM
#5
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Caroline,
As soon as I get our disaster organized from unloading the Pathfinder last night I'll take pics of all my new acquisitions. Especially the purty blue clone. It doesn't have a light though, so I'll have to scare one up.
The size of the squares makes no difference. I just had a 3.5" plastic template and used that. The bags are pretty much the same size as the old paper grocery bags. Mater of fact my wife tests my Whacky Bags by taking them shopping and filling them with canned goods. So far so good.
The Whacky bag consists of 83 pieces. 80 3.5" squares, the inner bag, and two handles. Here's a pic:
I do my handles a bit different now, I start out with a 4" wide strip 28" long. Then fold it in thirds lengthwise. It makes three layers and is good and strong that way. I run a 1/4" SS seam down each side, then I take the over-edge foot on the 500 or 401 and run a tight ZZ stitch down both edges. My wife could do it in about 30 seconds with her serger, but I enjoy plucking along with the 500.
The way I double fold them at the ends when I sew the top of the bag I loose about 5" in length. The handles actually come out close to 23". Just about right for the plastic bag handle racks they use at WalMart.
Joe
As soon as I get our disaster organized from unloading the Pathfinder last night I'll take pics of all my new acquisitions. Especially the purty blue clone. It doesn't have a light though, so I'll have to scare one up.
The size of the squares makes no difference. I just had a 3.5" plastic template and used that. The bags are pretty much the same size as the old paper grocery bags. Mater of fact my wife tests my Whacky Bags by taking them shopping and filling them with canned goods. So far so good.
The Whacky bag consists of 83 pieces. 80 3.5" squares, the inner bag, and two handles. Here's a pic:
I do my handles a bit different now, I start out with a 4" wide strip 28" long. Then fold it in thirds lengthwise. It makes three layers and is good and strong that way. I run a 1/4" SS seam down each side, then I take the over-edge foot on the 500 or 401 and run a tight ZZ stitch down both edges. My wife could do it in about 30 seconds with her serger, but I enjoy plucking along with the 500.
The way I double fold them at the ends when I sew the top of the bag I loose about 5" in length. The handles actually come out close to 23". Just about right for the plastic bag handle racks they use at WalMart.
Joe
01-03-2013, 03:54 AM
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Joe dragged home a ton of projects. That treadle machine was found in the wild under a tree. The top was pretty de-laminated. Joe swiped the part that was under the lid - it was ok. The treadle seems ok - I haven't looked to see what is missing. Maybe Joe did. At any rate he brought a top of a treadle - should hold something some time. He should be busy for at least a day - keep him out of Elaine's hair so she can sew. While Joe was at the blue house, Elaine and I tested out making words on an old Kenmore electronic machine my sister gave me. We had a good time with it - I hope that thing lives a while - I don't want to work on it.
We have a house we bought in a tax auction for cheap. When we bid on it, it appeared to be in good shape. Due to flooding in the basement - no electric to activate the sump pump... it filled up pretty good with water - the people that had the place left a ton of junk down there - all of it wet. It has been a long ride getting that house ready to live in. I hope some day it is worth it.
We have a house we bought in a tax auction for cheap. When we bid on it, it appeared to be in good shape. Due to flooding in the basement - no electric to activate the sump pump... it filled up pretty good with water - the people that had the place left a ton of junk down there - all of it wet. It has been a long ride getting that house ready to live in. I hope some day it is worth it.
01-03-2013, 06:38 AM
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Miriam,
The bottom of the treadle we parted out was complete and all four of the wheels rolled I think. They were all there at least.
Oh, and I wanted to see that Kenmore monogramming machine too.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I've got all four of the machines we brought back checked out and diagnosed for any parts or repairs needed. Only two of the four needed parts and those were / minor.
Initial report on these machines:
SEWMOR 404:
>Dirty and grungy inside, but not as bad as the Singer 127 I've been working on. Miriam had a "to do" note on it about cleaning and checking the top and bottom tension and the cords, so that got done.
>I had to clean some lint and crud out of the bobbin area to get the oil where it was needed.
This machine looked like it had oil on it, but was dry where it counted.
>The screw head on the little screw that holds the slide plate spring in is broken, another piece for the next Sew-Classic order.
>I put a light on it, an old singer fish eye light. Found there was already a screw for it under the rear inspection plate. I might order in a new one from Sew-Classic and try to paint it to match.
>Checked the motor cord, it's OK.
>Put in a new top spool pin.
>Oiled it top and bottom and threaded it up.
>Test sewed: Sews very nice even stitches. I didn't do anything to the top tension, so when I take it apart to really clean it, I hope it works as good when I get it back together.
I'm seriously considering ordering a spoked hand wheel and putting it in a treadle. I think it would make a dandy treadle machine. When I get a chance I'll stick it in one of my treadles and see how it works.
SEWMORE 606:
>Oiled that one a bit, it didn't really need much at all.
>Checked the belt and cords, they are OK.
>Threaded it up and that's where I ran into problems. I couldn't get it to sew properly by threading it in the way it looks like it should go. Elaine rethreaded it differently, skipping the hook on the tension body and it works fine. There's something about the thread check spring / hook relation ship that's not right. I'll get back to that one in due time.
>Test sew: With it threaded like it should be the machine made about 2" worth of too tight stitches then broke the top thread. After Elaine rethreaded it the other way, it sews really nice stitches.
Once we get the bugs out of it, it will be a really good machine.
I need an owners manual for it. Relics has a reprinted one for $17.00 but I'm looking for a freebee.
KENMORE from GW.
This is one nice machine.
>I pulled the top off and it's CLEAN inside. Tilted the head back and it's clean underneath. One of the cleanest machines I've seen to date. That's almost scary.
>Oiled and greased everything. There is two what look to be fiber gears in it so those and all the steel gears got Tri-Flow grease.
>Ran it for about 5 minutes and just suddenly the machine quieted down and started running quieter as the Tri-Flow oil reached the needed places.
>Test sewed with it. Nice, nice, nice. The SS and ZZ are really consistent.
>Took it to our LSMG for cams, he didn't have any of that style. Found some on eBay, but our user name and password wont work any more.
>Put two nice new read spool pin felts on it.
BLUE DRESSMAKER HA-1 / 15 CLONE from GW:
Nice little machine. Caroline, I'll get pics up today sometime.
>Replaced the petrified belt (an old fabric type belt) with a used one I've had on about three other machines so far. Will have to get some from Sew-Classic next order, the LSMG is out of that size.
>Oiled everything. It was dry inside also.
>Found out the thread check spring on the top tension is broken so I'll have to order another one from Sew-Classic before I can test sew with this machine.
>It runs nice, feeds the fabric nice, and with a new needle makes nice straight lines of holes.
>I have a light I'm going to put on it. An old metal one that was originally on my 66 Treadle #2.
Although I might get a new one from S-C and paint it to match too.
Well, yesterday was a long day of tinkering with the machines. Now I've got to find somewhere to put them so I can have room to walk through the house without stubbing my toes.
Some of the machines will stay in my collection, others may get re-homed after I'm through "experiencing" them.
Joe
The bottom of the treadle we parted out was complete and all four of the wheels rolled I think. They were all there at least.
Oh, and I wanted to see that Kenmore monogramming machine too.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I've got all four of the machines we brought back checked out and diagnosed for any parts or repairs needed. Only two of the four needed parts and those were / minor.
Initial report on these machines:
SEWMOR 404:
>Dirty and grungy inside, but not as bad as the Singer 127 I've been working on. Miriam had a "to do" note on it about cleaning and checking the top and bottom tension and the cords, so that got done.
>I had to clean some lint and crud out of the bobbin area to get the oil where it was needed.
This machine looked like it had oil on it, but was dry where it counted.
>The screw head on the little screw that holds the slide plate spring in is broken, another piece for the next Sew-Classic order.
>I put a light on it, an old singer fish eye light. Found there was already a screw for it under the rear inspection plate. I might order in a new one from Sew-Classic and try to paint it to match.
>Checked the motor cord, it's OK.
>Put in a new top spool pin.
>Oiled it top and bottom and threaded it up.
>Test sewed: Sews very nice even stitches. I didn't do anything to the top tension, so when I take it apart to really clean it, I hope it works as good when I get it back together.
I'm seriously considering ordering a spoked hand wheel and putting it in a treadle. I think it would make a dandy treadle machine. When I get a chance I'll stick it in one of my treadles and see how it works.
SEWMORE 606:
>Oiled that one a bit, it didn't really need much at all.
>Checked the belt and cords, they are OK.
>Threaded it up and that's where I ran into problems. I couldn't get it to sew properly by threading it in the way it looks like it should go. Elaine rethreaded it differently, skipping the hook on the tension body and it works fine. There's something about the thread check spring / hook relation ship that's not right. I'll get back to that one in due time.
>Test sew: With it threaded like it should be the machine made about 2" worth of too tight stitches then broke the top thread. After Elaine rethreaded it the other way, it sews really nice stitches.
Once we get the bugs out of it, it will be a really good machine.
I need an owners manual for it. Relics has a reprinted one for $17.00 but I'm looking for a freebee.
KENMORE from GW.
This is one nice machine.
>I pulled the top off and it's CLEAN inside. Tilted the head back and it's clean underneath. One of the cleanest machines I've seen to date. That's almost scary.
>Oiled and greased everything. There is two what look to be fiber gears in it so those and all the steel gears got Tri-Flow grease.
>Ran it for about 5 minutes and just suddenly the machine quieted down and started running quieter as the Tri-Flow oil reached the needed places.
>Test sewed with it. Nice, nice, nice. The SS and ZZ are really consistent.
>Took it to our LSMG for cams, he didn't have any of that style. Found some on eBay, but our user name and password wont work any more.
>Put two nice new read spool pin felts on it.
BLUE DRESSMAKER HA-1 / 15 CLONE from GW:
Nice little machine. Caroline, I'll get pics up today sometime.
>Replaced the petrified belt (an old fabric type belt) with a used one I've had on about three other machines so far. Will have to get some from Sew-Classic next order, the LSMG is out of that size.
>Oiled everything. It was dry inside also.
>Found out the thread check spring on the top tension is broken so I'll have to order another one from Sew-Classic before I can test sew with this machine.
>It runs nice, feeds the fabric nice, and with a new needle makes nice straight lines of holes.
>I have a light I'm going to put on it. An old metal one that was originally on my 66 Treadle #2.
Although I might get a new one from S-C and paint it to match too.
Well, yesterday was a long day of tinkering with the machines. Now I've got to find somewhere to put them so I can have room to walk through the house without stubbing my toes.
Some of the machines will stay in my collection, others may get re-homed after I'm through "experiencing" them.
Joe
01-03-2013, 06:52 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 3,992
My goodness you have been busy Joe. I know what you mean about finding space. I guess I need to take a "confession" picture of my loft. I have filled it up with sewing machines, quilt projects and fabric totes. It is so bad that my cat, Tango, is having a tough time getting to her basket under sewing table. But being a cat, she can get into the scariest of places! Can't wait to see you "little girl in blue".
01-03-2013, 04:38 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Not Here
Posts: 3,817
Originally Posted by J Miller
KENMORE from GW.
>Took it to our LSMG for cams, he didn't have any of that style. Found some on eBay, but our user name and password wont work any more..
>Took it to our LSMG for cams, he didn't have any of that style. Found some on eBay, but our user name and password wont work any more..
Which Cams? I picked some up at the local thrift store, because I thought someone might need them. They came in a pattern cams box that looks like a book. I think they're for the 158 (Jaguar / Maruzen) model machines.
There's one missing in total. I just wanted the box.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
miriam
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
80
09-12-2015 03:17 AM
deplaylady
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
15
09-19-2013 09:36 AM
