Quilting On a Vintage Singer Machine
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Joe, the best gloves I've tried are called Machingers. Here is a link:
http://www.dakotacabinquilts.com/cgi...machingersM_LG
There are other gloves that have nubby bumps on them. I always use gloves to machine quilt, and most of the machine quilters I know also do that.
It sounds to me like your feed dogs are dull, dirty, or used up and need to be switched out. It's a fairly simple thing to do. However, many machines have trouble with bumps. In that case, you need a hump jumper. Here's a link:
http://www.homesew.com/n8.html
So for less than $20, you can end your problems!
Now let me ask you a question: My 127 was dead for 40 years when I brought it back from the dead. I still have trouble making a good stitch, tension wise. The stitch is loose. I'd rather get a new head than change the tensioneer, but maybe... Do you have any suggestions?
http://www.dakotacabinquilts.com/cgi...machingersM_LG
There are other gloves that have nubby bumps on them. I always use gloves to machine quilt, and most of the machine quilters I know also do that.
It sounds to me like your feed dogs are dull, dirty, or used up and need to be switched out. It's a fairly simple thing to do. However, many machines have trouble with bumps. In that case, you need a hump jumper. Here's a link:
http://www.homesew.com/n8.html
So for less than $20, you can end your problems!
Now let me ask you a question: My 127 was dead for 40 years when I brought it back from the dead. I still have trouble making a good stitch, tension wise. The stitch is loose. I'd rather get a new head than change the tensioneer, but maybe... Do you have any suggestions?
I found out what the problem was with my 127. It was the original one piece stamped presser foot. It has short stubby toes and when it hit any raised area the toes would just but up against it and the machine would stop feeding.
I put in a later vintage hinged foot with longer more curved toes and it worked nicely. So that problem is fixed.
As for your tensioner, remove it from the machine, take it completely apart and clean it thoroughly. Make sure the disks are smooth and free of rust or any build up. Polish them if needed.
Reassemble it and adjust it and I'll wager it sews better.
Do the same for the shuttle. Remove that dinky little screw, pull off the spring and clean it inside and out. Reassemble and adjust and it will make a big difference.
Joe
#12
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
#13
The walking foot for your 301 is not helping much. There are no walking feet made that fit the 301's feed dogs. Look at the walking foot and compare it to your feed dogs and you will see they don't match up. Many people quilt with it by simply reducing the pressure. Similarly, if you don't have a straight stitch walking foot for your 201 and 15, the walking foot teeth are not meeting up with the feed dogs and aren't helping much. The correct tools for the job help immensely. Sew Classic carries the straight stitch walking foot for the 15 and 201. http://shop.SEW-CLASSIC.COM/Low-Shan...tch-P60400.htm
#14
Hey Candace,
Jenny (Sew-Classic) is advertising a walking foot specifically for the 301:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...A-SCF301WF.htm
It's labelled as an actual Singer part #. Her part number isn't a Singer part number though, and I think that's because it's "modified" per her description. If you look at both the one she lists for a 301, and the one she lists for "all other slants", you can see that what she's done is modify the original at the bar that goes above the needle clamp. Between the 2 listings, it's probably possible to figure out what to do to make it work properly. I have a Singer Slant walking foot here, I might see what I can figure out to make one work, just for the heck of it.
The walking foot that you linked to for the 15 and the 201 is "just" an Alphasew made walking foot. Any dealer can likely get it with that part number (P60400) and $20 is more than fair for it.
Jenny (Sew-Classic) is advertising a walking foot specifically for the 301:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...A-SCF301WF.htm
It's labelled as an actual Singer part #. Her part number isn't a Singer part number though, and I think that's because it's "modified" per her description. If you look at both the one she lists for a 301, and the one she lists for "all other slants", you can see that what she's done is modify the original at the bar that goes above the needle clamp. Between the 2 listings, it's probably possible to figure out what to do to make it work properly. I have a Singer Slant walking foot here, I might see what I can figure out to make one work, just for the heck of it.
The walking foot that you linked to for the 15 and the 201 is "just" an Alphasew made walking foot. Any dealer can likely get it with that part number (P60400) and $20 is more than fair for it.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Hey Candace,
Jenny (Sew-Classic) is advertising a walking foot specifically for the 301:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...A-SCF301WF.htm
It's labelled as an actual Singer part #. Her part number isn't a Singer part number though, and I think that's because it's "modified" per her description. If you look at both the one she lists for a 301, and the one she lists for "all other slants", you can see that what she's done is modify the original at the bar that goes above the needle clamp. Between the 2 listings, it's probably possible to figure out what to do to make it work properly. I have a Singer Slant walking foot here, I might see what I can figure out to make one work, just for the heck of it.
The walking foot that you linked to for the 15 and the 201 is "just" an Alphasew made walking foot. Any dealer can likely get it with that part number (P60400) and $20 is more than fair for it.
Jenny (Sew-Classic) is advertising a walking foot specifically for the 301:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...A-SCF301WF.htm
It's labelled as an actual Singer part #. Her part number isn't a Singer part number though, and I think that's because it's "modified" per her description. If you look at both the one she lists for a 301, and the one she lists for "all other slants", you can see that what she's done is modify the original at the bar that goes above the needle clamp. Between the 2 listings, it's probably possible to figure out what to do to make it work properly. I have a Singer Slant walking foot here, I might see what I can figure out to make one work, just for the heck of it.
The walking foot that you linked to for the 15 and the 201 is "just" an Alphasew made walking foot. Any dealer can likely get it with that part number (P60400) and $20 is more than fair for it.
I don't understand what you mean by the link to the straight stitch walking foot "just being an Alpasew". Of course any dealer can get it. None of these attachments are a rarity.
Last edited by Candace; 03-18-2013 at 06:23 AM.
#16
Wow. I didn't misunderstand you. And I did in fact read that before posting. I thought maybe you hadn't seen that one, maybe it was a new addition to her site. I'm surprised that she'd be selling something that fits but doesn't work. It seems out of character, but I guess if you're sure enough about it to yell, I'll have to believe it. I'll stop trying to help.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Here is a bit more gasoline for the fire.
My wife has had a generic low shank ZZ walking foot in her Bernina case for years. It came with a metal Bernina to LS adapter. Last year I took it out and put it on several of our LS ZZ and straight stitch machines and it worked. The walking foot feet does not match the feed dogs of the straight stitch machines, that is true, but it does work. I've used it. I posted pictures of that ZZ walking foot mounted to my Singer 66 Treadle #2 quilting it's cover.
OK, late last year I bought one of Sew-Classics straight stitch walking feet. I tried it on many of our machines and it would not work. I don't know why. It looked good, fit, functioned, but would not work. In each case I put the generic LS ZZ foot back on and it did work.
I got a credit for the WF from S-C and have continued to use the LS ZZ foot.
It's my experience that just because the feet don't match doesn't mean it won't work. I think there is more to it.
I'm hoping that somewhere there is a Singer made LS SS WF and when I find one I'll buy it. Until then I'll stick with the generic LS ZZ WF.
Just my experiences.
Joe
My wife has had a generic low shank ZZ walking foot in her Bernina case for years. It came with a metal Bernina to LS adapter. Last year I took it out and put it on several of our LS ZZ and straight stitch machines and it worked. The walking foot feet does not match the feed dogs of the straight stitch machines, that is true, but it does work. I've used it. I posted pictures of that ZZ walking foot mounted to my Singer 66 Treadle #2 quilting it's cover.
OK, late last year I bought one of Sew-Classics straight stitch walking feet. I tried it on many of our machines and it would not work. I don't know why. It looked good, fit, functioned, but would not work. In each case I put the generic LS ZZ foot back on and it did work.
I got a credit for the WF from S-C and have continued to use the LS ZZ foot.
It's my experience that just because the feet don't match doesn't mean it won't work. I think there is more to it.
I'm hoping that somewhere there is a Singer made LS SS WF and when I find one I'll buy it. Until then I'll stick with the generic LS ZZ WF.
Just my experiences.
Joe
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
I didn't say it didn't work. Or what I mean is it doesn't work like a walking foot is engineered to. And it doesn't work as it should or help feed layers through together like a true fitting walking foot does. Simple as that. Does it help feed top layers? Probably somewhat, but if the feed dogs don't mesh, the layers aren't being fed together as one unit and shifting can occur. No big deal to have an extra gadget. I have lots of extra gadgets that don't do much for me. Lots of folks have the same results on a 301 as just lowering the foot pressure. If you understand the engineering and goal of what a true fitting WF does, you'll understand what I mean...The top feed dogs are supposed to grab the material in conjunction with the bottom feed dogs. If they don't meet with the bottom the grabbing or feeding is much less effective. Different strokes for different folks.
Last edited by Candace; 03-18-2013 at 09:52 AM.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Wow. I didn't misunderstand you. And I did in fact read that before posting. I thought maybe you hadn't seen that one, maybe it was a new addition to her site. I'm surprised that she'd be selling something that fits but doesn't work. It seems out of character, but I guess if you're sure enough about it to yell, I'll have to believe it. I'll stop trying to help.
Last edited by Candace; 03-18-2013 at 09:49 AM.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Here's a link to a page Jenny made to show how the feed dogs are supposed to align with the WF and what it looks when they don't. http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/11/...king-foot.aspx
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