Newsewer27

I don’t know where to start, so basically i am trying to reupholster the seats of my car right? Guess I need some sewing experience. So today I looked around for a sewing machine and I was surprised to see how expensive these things were, like even some of the used ones were going for 100-400, I thought that was high but what do I know? So I bought this “white rotary” sewing machine from some lady on offer up, but I don’t know how to work it; the light turns on and that is about it. She said she inherited it, and it did not come with a foot pedal, do I need that? How do I turn this thing on? Tried to YouTube how to work it but a lot of the videos were about how to thread the machine, I am clueless and maybe over my head. Someone please help


also I could not upload a picture of the machine from my phone, idk maybe this website is meant to be run off computers and isn’t exactly phone user friendly. I found this from google and thought maybe you guys (and/or) girls, might have some answers for me. I clearly don’t know what I’m doing


thanks in advance

Jamel

Pat M.

We will need a picture or you need to look online for your machine. If it is electric you do need a power foot for the motor to work.

Newsewer27

I did notice that there seems to be a lever under the machine that gets it going. The light works perfectly fine, It seems like the electrical parts of the machine works, I am not too sure about the mechanics behind the machine all the different parts. Also I did notice that the needle moves EXTREMELY slow

Newsewer27

Also it came together with the desk, it is a one piece machine

bkay

That lever under the machine is called a knee lever. On many machines, the foot pedal is inside the cabinet, in a bracket that is activated by the knee lever. I'm not familiar with the specific machine you have, but on some machines you can push the foot pedal (also called a controller) out of the bracket and use it as a regular foot pedal.

That's your first step - figure out how what makes it run. The next step find a manual for it. Then, to oil and grease it. You'll need some sewing machine oil. It's generally available at any place they sell fabric. The gears will need grease.

I have no idea how to use a phone on this (or "any") site. You attach a photo on a computer by going down below (on a reply page) where is says "attach files". I'd try that and see if it works on a phone, as we really need a photo to figure out what machine you have and give good advice.

bk

OurWorkbench

Welcome. I think it is rather ambitious to get a sewing machine to sew upholstery. Have you sewn before?

bkay is correct about the knee lever being the controller and some being able to be used as a foot controller. Some just have a short cord and would need to be rewired to be able to use as a foot controller.

Did you get a manual and attachments with your machine? I'm guessing that it probably is a direct drive, which means that the hand wheel goes the opposite direction from most domestic machines. The serial number should be either in front or behind the pillar (the upright part of the machine that has the hand wheel on it). There are a couple of sources for info about vintage White machines at but will have to scroll down the pages to see the electric ones https://www.fiddlebase.com/american-...wing-machines/ and http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=White Another source is https://www.treadleon.net/WhiteSM/whites.html

We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg

Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of quilt block ID?

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

emmah

Don't give up. ONe way to get the right information is to do a search on ebay for "white rotary" and read the information about the machine that matches yours. Then use that information, like model number, to do a search on how to oil the machine. That's what makes it run slowly. And yes, you can use a white rotary to sew car seats. I got my son one at a yard sale, and he sews heavy webbing for diving equipment. (heavy needle and thread) IT might be a good idea to find someone who sews...granny type....to give you a lesson or two, but YOU CAN DO IT!

leonf

When you oil it Take it out of the cabinet. ( 2 set screws) and oil it everyp olace that metal touches metal thst doesn't use grease. Upisde down, under cover plates sideway. Don't just hit a few oil holes that the manual might mention. Those are for someone who has been using one regularly.

Newsewer27

Nice I figured out how to upload pictures


After you press reply, you have to press advanced reply and the paper clip pops up!!!!

Newsewer27

Thanks for the feedback and the positive encouragement


and no I have never sewn anything before, I am just at the point where I am not willing to pay people to rip me off you know? If I can learn to do it myself. It is the age of the internet and YouTube university lol