Originally Posted by wichypoo
Boy I just read my own post and I can't type accurately sorry. :oops: I agree the change from old to new with knee control and two differen functions is a definite design error. Makers of machines should know we'll have as many machines as we can. I have two right now but would love a featherweight.
Well, to be fair ... the machine we got at the thrift store was/is probably older than I am. The machine I used at the factory was designed to PRODUCE! Production work is different from home sewing, and so the machines at the factory were actually more adept at sewing and production than a home machine ever could be - - until the last ten years or so. THen, someone figured out that there were serious seamstresses who don't work in factories and started making industrial strength machines for us. My factory machine - - I can't even move it by myself, and that is just the head ... forget the motor and all the other weight that is hidden somewhere in there.
On the factory machine, I could start sewing, tap back on the foot board and cut. I never had to hold on to the thread tails to start a new piece, the knee lever lifted the presser foot ... and any combination of those actions could be done on the fly. Most portable machines can't survive someone backtacking without using reverse, and if I don't make the reverse action in two distinct motions, allowing the machine time to slow, back up, and then sew forward ... i will bust needles, blow the timing, and all sorts of things.
Thankfully, private machine operators are now able to enjoy that productivity in their homes because machine manufacturers are starting to take us seriously ... Janome, Juki, Singer, and Viking ... all good factory machine producers ... and, now they are even making the machines affordable! How cool is that?
I loved factory work ....LOL