Rodney

It just makes it harder to find machines with good decals in that area. People have always modified their tools to suit their needs. It was an honest use of the machine at the time though most of us here wouldn't do it now. Besides, modern machines won't let you.
Roserips told me that Elk leather will stop a needle. We were talking about me making a leather thimble at the time. Leather would be a good backing if you want a pin cushion there. A thick piece of leather would be flexible and stop the pins from hitting the machine surface. We don't jab a pin cushion with the same force we use on a thimble. A stiff but still flexible piece of plastic might work as a backing too if you want a functional pincushion there that won't further damage your machine's finish.
Rodney

miriam

I sure wouldn't use anything with adhesive - that stuff is horrible to get off when it gets old and dried out. I have thought about a magnet strip behind the rag though.

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one of the rags I've taken off had a piece of tin inside

Cogito

That's why I said don't peel off the paper on the piece that is in contact with the arm....but stacking the two pieces of moleskin with the sticky would work. But I like Rodney's answer better than mine anyway....leather makes good sense!

KalamaQuilts

I made one to replace the one that was on my LaVinnie hand crank. I used pliable plastic as the inner pin stop, the plastic came with bacon, and made a tiny little quilt with some batt for the fabric.

miriam

Oh we so need to make some kind of pictures of these 'do rags' on the machines!!! I want to see yours.

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that plastic on Bacon sounds prefect ... Gotta love the " do rag" = pintex or Depins

ArchaicArcane

Just like the mixer in my kitchen and the various tools in the garage, sewing machines were "tools" of the day and treated as such - especially by a tailor of a seamstress. Those are hard earned battle scars, or as I often refer to them - their stories. Would I rather a pristine machine? Sure. Will I pass one over because of rash? It really depends on what I want it for. Certainly for usability, I won't. They're run in good when they've got rash.

One of my favorite machines in my collection has a lot of damage from pin rash. It's just more of her stories and she's got a lot of them.

I was thinking a piece of leather like what they make tool holders out of would work well. I have some from when my dad took me to leather classes. It's probably 1/8" or more thick and should ward off needles. You might even be able to install a plastic snap to secure it to the machine... and a little fabric under that to make sure it doesn't scratch the machine.

NopahDesertRat

I wonder if a bit of soda can would work. It is easily cut and could be molded as needed. Pins might go through.

I have a very old domestic treadle coffin top machine. It has a rag around it and I am hesitant to remove it even to clean the machine. Seems to give it caricature and personality. My great grandmother had a similar machine that a cousin now has, so when I look at mine, I think of her sewing for her family.

I also have a 99 Singer with terrible pin scars. It was froze up when I got it, box falling apart and packed full of lint. With lots of loving care I brought her/him back to life and it sews well!! I call it my little giant. I just wish it could tell me all it sewed and for who. I am sure there would be a interesting and fascinating story if it could only tell. It is a knee controlled portable and I found a knee bar that works and the control still works.

Ethel

miriam

Ethel, those old battle scarred machines are the best. Would the previous owner have put on a new wrap??? I betcha she would have. I would worry about a soda can scratching things up more. A new wrap wouldn't do near the damage. I've seen old white wool - all kinds of other fabrics. What I don't understand is why so many were white? If you look at my avitar pic you can see the white wool rag on the machine - of course I removed it.