Question for quilters with multiple sewing machines
06-23-2011, 02:25 AM
#81
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milton DE
Posts: 3,189
Very interesting setup...I like it...have to give it some thought, maybe I can get a treadle after all
Do you ever get dizzy swiveling around in circles from machine to machine? :lol: Seriously tho, it sounds like a fascinating set up. Could you post a pic of your awesome set up please?
Thanks,
Nope, I don't get dizzy. :lol: There are some folks that just own one vintage Singer cabinet and switch their vintage Singer machines. Just find them cheap and clean them up. They're easy to service, make for cheap decor, and some sew a beautiful stitch for being 50-100 years old.
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Originally Posted by Quiltgranny
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
You would be surprised at how small a space is only needed to hold numerous machines. Some folks have told me that just one treadle or sewing cabinet will work, and just switch out machines heads. The machine head can be stored on bookcase when not in use. I have a u-shape setup of four treadles with a swivel chair in center. Three of those machines are used in my quilting and the fourth treadle cabinet top holds my cutting mat and quilting items. I piece, quilt, and bind with four vintage sewing machines all in treadles. Each has their own task, and I don't have to fuss with setting them up for a specific job. I sometimes find the machines for free on CLs, or very cheap. I like to say that the vintage machines have a way of finding us. Which is why I have some machines decorating my bookcase.
Thanks,
06-23-2011, 06:15 PM
#82
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cumming GA (formerly, NJ)
Posts: 162
Originally Posted by vjengels
I have three; one to piece, one to bind, and one to quilt. I don't have to mess with the tension on any of them when moving from start to finish.. ( and as a last resort.... if I can't afford to get a tune up on time I have a spare) I have a really small room,9x9 no closet; but manage to have 3 different stations... just a slight twist in the chair and I'm at a different machine.
06-24-2011, 10:43 AM
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 449
I have A Brother PC 6000
A Brother PC 8500 sew/emb
A Brother Ultra 2001 sew/emb
A Babylock air threading serger
A Singer serger
A Babylock Professional Plus 6 needle emb
Oh and 8 Tv's LOL
We just can't stand to get rid of something that
has become "part" of the family
All used and watched daily !!!
A Brother PC 8500 sew/emb
A Brother Ultra 2001 sew/emb
A Babylock air threading serger
A Singer serger
A Babylock Professional Plus 6 needle emb
Oh and 8 Tv's LOL
We just can't stand to get rid of something that
has become "part" of the family
All used and watched daily !!!
06-25-2011, 06:33 PM
#84
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Well, it's confession time. I have the following machines:
A National Two-Spools Treadle
1 Singer 15-91, in bentwood box case
2 Singer 15-90s (I think) in cabinets (1 going to SIL)
2 Necchi BUs in cabintes (1 to be rehomed)
1 Singer FW, balck
1 Singer 301, black (LOVE that machne)
1 Singer 99, in bentwood box case
1 Japanese Singer 66 Clone Made in Occupied Japan (Bel Air)
1 Japanese 15 Clone (a Federal)
1 Morse, Singer 15 clone
1 Bernina Model 117L
1 Singer 457
1 Apartment Electric (newest - haven't played with it yet)
1 Singer Model #362 (DD's machine that she sews with)
1 Singer #6215 DH bought when we were married
1 Brother plastic piece of crap going to niece-in-law
1 something (Domestic) perhaps free at a garage sale
This gives me 20 machines in all. I do refurbish them, make sure they sew and then rehome some of them. My DH is an enabler but I love tinkering with old machines. I am hoping to try to talk DH into letting me give the machine (the 6215) to my neighbor (she wants to learn to sew) so I can keep the Singer 457 (it has zigzag) for me. He mauy not let me but I'm gonna try anyway. I also have a line on several other machines.
A National Two-Spools Treadle
1 Singer 15-91, in bentwood box case
2 Singer 15-90s (I think) in cabinets (1 going to SIL)
2 Necchi BUs in cabintes (1 to be rehomed)
1 Singer FW, balck
1 Singer 301, black (LOVE that machne)
1 Singer 99, in bentwood box case
1 Japanese Singer 66 Clone Made in Occupied Japan (Bel Air)
1 Japanese 15 Clone (a Federal)
1 Morse, Singer 15 clone
1 Bernina Model 117L
1 Singer 457
1 Apartment Electric (newest - haven't played with it yet)
1 Singer Model #362 (DD's machine that she sews with)
1 Singer #6215 DH bought when we were married
1 Brother plastic piece of crap going to niece-in-law
1 something (Domestic) perhaps free at a garage sale
This gives me 20 machines in all. I do refurbish them, make sure they sew and then rehome some of them. My DH is an enabler but I love tinkering with old machines. I am hoping to try to talk DH into letting me give the machine (the 6215) to my neighbor (she wants to learn to sew) so I can keep the Singer 457 (it has zigzag) for me. He mauy not let me but I'm gonna try anyway. I also have a line on several other machines.
06-26-2011, 08:31 AM
#85
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio
Posts: 2,351
I have 3. One that was my first sewing machine years ago. It's just sitting in a closet. I've given it to my 13 year old granddaughter, but she has not taken it home with her, yet. A couple of years ago I bought a Brother to learn how to FMQ. The throat space is only 5", and so, I bought an older Singer (a Craig's List find) for my FMQ. It has a throat space of 7". I know it's only 2" more, but it helps. So, I use the Brother to piece & the old Singer for FMQ. I'm dreaming of a long/mid arm with frame or a sewing machine that has 11" or more throat space.
06-26-2011, 03:13 PM
#86
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: WA
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by Debbie B
I have 3. One that was my first sewing machine years ago. It's just sitting in a closet. I've given it to my 13 year old granddaughter, but she has not taken it home with her, yet. A couple of years ago I bought a Brother to learn how to FMQ. The throat space is only 5", and so, I bought an older Singer (a Craig's List find) for my FMQ. It has a throat space of 7". I know it's only 2" more, but it helps. So, I use the Brother to piece & the old Singer for FMQ. I'm dreaming of a long/mid arm with frame or a sewing machine that has 11" or more throat space.
"The harp size on a 201 is extremely generous, and as with most straight stitch only machines, there is tons of room in the needle bar area. This is great for visibility and for bulky or larger projects."
I am fortunate to own one of these marvelous machines, a treadle even! :D I can't wait to learn how to treadle so I can take advantage of such awesome throat/harp space for FMQ.
look at all this throat space!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]217160[/ATTACH]
06-26-2011, 04:15 PM
#87
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio
Posts: 2,351
How big is that harp space? And can you lower the feed or does it have a plate? Does the 201 come in electric? Your machine is beautiful. I've only sewn on electric machines & have often wondered how hard or easy a treadle would be. Wish I had someone that I could watch sew on one of those old treadles. Thanks for the info.
You can get a lot more throat/harp space on another vintage Singer if you like. Here's a quote and a pic of how much space a Singer 201k has:
"The harp size on a 201 is extremely generous, and as with most straight stitch only machines, there is tons of room in the needle bar area. This is great for visibility and for bulky or larger projects."
I am fortunate to own one of these marvelous machines, a treadle even! :D I can't wait to learn how to treadle so I can take advantage of such awesome throat/harp space for FMQ.
Originally Posted by Quiltgranny
Originally Posted by Debbie B
I have 3. One that was my first sewing machine years ago. It's just sitting in a closet. I've given it to my 13 year old granddaughter, but she has not taken it home with her, yet. A couple of years ago I bought a Brother to learn how to FMQ. The throat space is only 5", and so, I bought an older Singer (a Craig's List find) for my FMQ. It has a throat space of 7". I know it's only 2" more, but it helps. So, I use the Brother to piece & the old Singer for FMQ. I'm dreaming of a long/mid arm with frame or a sewing machine that has 11" or more throat space.
"The harp size on a 201 is extremely generous, and as with most straight stitch only machines, there is tons of room in the needle bar area. This is great for visibility and for bulky or larger projects."
I am fortunate to own one of these marvelous machines, a treadle even! :D I can't wait to learn how to treadle so I can take advantage of such awesome throat/harp space for FMQ.
06-26-2011, 04:27 PM
#88
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
For many years I had only one machine; a $50 Kenmore that I bought new in the late 60's. I was never crazy about that machine, so when it acted up on me in the mid 80's, I kicked it to the curb and bought a little viking. Now that was a great machine, and I am sorry that I ever loaned it out. Next was an 1130 Bernina, a nice machine that I still have. Once I got a vintage Featherweight, that became my go-to machine, and I don't use the Bernina so much any more. One thing led to another, and I now have a collection of vintage machines, most of which are in working order. Do I 'need' that many? No, but then I don't "need" all that fabric, either. Sewing machine collecting is a hobby that seems to grow on one with age. I enjoy tinkering with the old machines, and have a great appreciation for their quality. The computerized machines are great, but the fact is, they are built to be replaced, not repaired, much like our personal home computers. I truly believe that anyone who has a computerized machine needs to have a mechanical backup for when the fancy one is in the shop with a big repair bill. Sorta' like needing to have a Volkswagen if you also own a Jaguar.
06-26-2011, 05:45 PM
#89
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 137
5, one is a serger. Since I'm a seamstress besides a quilter, they've all had their purpose at one time or another, and I still continually use 3 of them on a daily basis. My fourth one is a converted treadle that I started with (and I'll never, ever give her up!)and now she's just pretty to look at and the fifth gets to sew through canvas camper tops.
Oops - make that 6 - someone was throwing out an old green Kenmore last weekend. They had the poor girl and her cabinet out for the garbage men and I just couldn't let her end up at the dump!
Oops - make that 6 - someone was throwing out an old green Kenmore last weekend. They had the poor girl and her cabinet out for the garbage men and I just couldn't let her end up at the dump!
06-26-2011, 06:28 PM
#90
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 167
I had just one for well over 40 years until I took mine in for an annual cleaning one year. I was told even though it was old it was a good machine and that he could keep it running as long as one part didn't go on it. Since I didn't want to be without a machine I started looking at other machines. I didn't want a new one and happened to see a 15-91 that was for sale. I sat down and tried it out and fell in love with it and the vintage straight stitch machines, so I bought it. I have since picked up a couple treadles mainly because the price was right, I like sewing and antiques so they are right at home with an old oak ice box and an old oak crank telephone as well as several other antique pieces I have here.
Nothing wrong with having one machine if it serves your purpose.
Nothing wrong with having one machine if it serves your purpose.
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