I know someone who is sewing animal blanket/pads; they are quite thick, (upholstery, batting, and cotton fabric sandwich) and then also have a binding sewing around the edge.
They have been managing on a home Kenmore, I think possibly a Plastic Fantastic, but as they are selling the blanket pads and expect to be making more, they wanted a more sturdy machine, also one with a binding attachment.
They are considering a Sailrite, which also has a binding attachment;I think this is it:
http://www.sailrite.com/Binder-1-Swi...t#.UtF-cbQYpdg
I was suggesting that they might consider a hearty old Singer or Old Solid Kenmore.
I am a keen tinkerer, but still know relatively little about this all, including what to look for in a machine when you have a specific task in mind. Could anyone help me with a recommendation for my friend? (ThayerRags, you sew heavy stuff, yes? )
Sailrite may well be the way to go, but they are many hundreds of dollars, and if an inexpensive solid vintage machine will do, then that seems wiser. Also, if anyone could speak as to the usefulness of certain binder attachments on the older machines, (Macybaby?) in a practical sense: Are there easily available, user-friendly binder attachments that will help this person sew binding onto thick animal blanket/pads?
Very much appreciated in advance if anyone can help out here. Feel free to ask questions if I have not described thoroughly enough. Thank you!