Thread: Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Originally Posted by BoJangles

OK Joe I see why you are getting by with the thread mess you are using! It is because you are using a 66 to do this testing! Those old gals will forgive anything, even a guy who really pushes the buttons! Really cool, by the way! That would be an awesome look for quilting, but I would not have the nerve to try it except with maybe one of the very 'old' gals! The problem with using the 66 is that you have to do straight line quilting because it does not drop its feed dogs! If I tried that in my HQ 16, I would probably ruin the machine - it is so touchy with tensions and thread already! Way to go Joe! We all know those 'old' gals were made to work and forgive even wayward guys for their indiscretions!

Nancy

Nancy,
I seem to have an attraction to the Singer 66s. I have 5 of them and a SEWMOR 404 that is more Singer 66 than anything else. And two 99Ks. Only one of those works. The other one is "in progress". I've been told that the horizontal drop in bobbin is a problem for the thread because the thread changes directions as it its pulled around the bobbin by the hook. But I have sewed on the #1 Singer 66 treadle with a very heavy upholstery thread and it did it. My wife said it wouldn't. My three electrics are some of the nicest sewing machines I have. They do one stitch, straight, and they do it very well.

I've decided that when I straight line quilt this machine cover I'm using I'm going to use four different variegated colors. Two on the top and two in the bobbin. I really like the way the threads come out when they twist as they go through the machine.

Joe

Originally Posted by Weedwoman

I don't care what anybody says, I love my old T & Sew 626. Maybe because it's what I started out with and it's always done right by me and I've never had a problem. I do have a 306 and don't like that machine at all, I think mostly because you have to tilt the head to install the bobbin case. I have one that is is wonderful running order with 28 cams, lots of the needles it takes and attachments and I'd sell it in a minute, if someone wanted it bad enough to come get it. My cat would miss it because he lays on the closed cabinet to look out the den window. That's my two cents worth. I say, if you have good luck with a machine, that's all the matters.

Cathy says she likes the T&S 600 series. My only experience was with a T&S 750. That machine came to me not sewing properly. I got that dang thing adjusted, but man was that a pain to do. That was my first for the T&S. All the time I was working on that machine, I was thinking I now know one reason why so many women hated to sew, they must of learned on this crappy machine. I sold that machine. Luckily the gal that bought that machine was mainly interested in the cabinet, which made me feel much better knowing that. Money received from that machine went into making a quilt for a victim of the Joplin tornado.

I agree that if one has good luck with the machine then that is all that matters; at least the machine is loved!

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Yep, I have downloaded the manual and I have done exactly what the manual says. I still get the inbetween stitch. I am thinking Miriam is right and when I get some time I am going to do some of her suggestions to see if something is stuck!

This makes me love my 319w even more as it is so definitive on which stitch you are getting! Those typewriter keys are black and white - no gray - you get what you ask for like the 503a!

Nancy

Actually, you do get gray if you want it:> You can combine the built in stitches on the 319 (levers) by themselves or with the add on discs. The manual says you can combine up to 3 levers or with a cam to get a mix of all three designs. I've never felt the need to do this on a project, but have played with it a bit. It does sound like you've got some "sticking" somewhere in your 401.