hisgrace

I had my mother's 127 serviced a couple of years ago, and am starting to think about quilting on it. A few days ago I was reading on this forum about some antique machines having an oil reservoir. How do I tell if mine has one, and what do I do if it does (or doesn't, for that matter)??

Also was stunned to find that the 127 has a stitch length adjustment, but I'm scared to mess with it. And I have never dared touch the tension!

Hints or words of wisdom, anyone??

johnm

Your Grace,
Your Singer 127 does not have any oil reservoir, just a lot of oil holes, many behind the faceplate and under the bed. Feel free to turn the stitch length knob from end to end. It will take 6 or 8 complete turns. Turning CW makes the stitch longer I just finished a full size kaleidoscope/maltese cross quilt, all blocks were completely sewn on my 127 treadle. The upper tension couldn't be more simple, just a nut pressing a spring which squeezed the two tension disks together.
John in WI

hisgrace

Just wondering, johnm, if you also quilted your quilt on your 127 treadle. That's what I'm thinking of trying.

johnm

The particular quilt that I was referring to was tied rather than quilted, however I have quilted entire quilts by treadle. No fancy stitching, just straight rows. I like to quilt on the diagonal. The binding was applied with a Davis Vertical Feed treadle. A great sm, no puckers or gathers. Finished size is 72x88
Johnm in WI
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hisgrace

Beautiful! My Mother used to tie her quilts instead of quilting them. That's probably why I want to quilt them.

What kind of needles do you get to use in your machine? This needle has been in it since . . . well, since I can remember. Not sure it's gonna want to come out!

johnm

I have used just about any standard needle that comes to hand, as so many old sm come with packages of needles. I usually use a #14 and bought 100 Organ brand. I often sharpen needles rather than throwing them away. For my Wheeler and Wilson, I made an adapter with a 7/8 inch diameter diamond disk, that goes on the bobbin winder. Just treadle away, and sharpen my needle.
John