Anybody sew on a two spool?
 

The idea of having a spool instead of a bobbin just fascinates me. I mean, its soooo logical!! So I want to hear about your experience of sewing on one, please.

Never heard of this. I just read on the board about using 2 bobbins. I thought that was a great idea. Please show picture or explain.

From my understanding, one would be able to wind an old wooden spool with newer thread. Much like one would wind a bobbin.


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I have always wondered why this didn't catch on. Sounds perfect to me. I have seen one but not in action.

This vid shows how to wind an old spool as Janey described:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6goUFTk_i6I

National 2 Spool Sewing Machine tutorial on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3uWgcHuYEs

This was new to me. Thanks guys! :)

I sew on a Two Spool in a treadle, and love it. I was fascinated when I heard about them, and started looking for one I could afford. My first one, off Craigslist, is a beautiful machine, but lacks the all important spool "can", so doesn't sew. Fortunately I later found another one for sale, and brought it home.
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I had a jar of old wooden spools of thread, and received some with the machine, and yes, it does have a "bobbin winder" that will wind thread onto a wooden spool, although you have to guide it by hand. I wound the one in the picture. I think the modern spools are too fat, although I keep thinking I will take a spool with me to the store sometime to compare.

It makes a beautiful stitch, and sews as easily as any other treadle I have tried. I haven't yet figured out how to outfit it with a free motion foot for free motion, but finished a table runner on it this week.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]611316[/ATTACH]Paper pieced on my 99k hand crank, and quilted and bound on the Two Spool.

Like you, I wonder why this concept never caught on. Will be glad to answer any questions you might have.

OMG that was so fascinating .... I loved it.

Cath your machines are beautiful and I love your runner.

Never heard of these but so cool. That has always bugged me, the small size of bobbins.

Wow, I didn't know these things existed! Thanks for sharing photos of it for us dyslexic, CountryKath!

I agree, makes no sense at all.

It probably didn't catch on because Singer never adopted it.

I am also looking for an affordable two spool. Just missed one on the bay.

K

[ATTACH=CONFIG]611364[/ATTACH]Back side of my National... only sewed enough to know it worked. It is a treadle, also.

If your machine is a treadle, why does it have a motor on it?

I have an Eldredge Two Spool. It has a motor and a foot pedal that stays in place much easier than other foot pedals. This machine has a bobbin winder. The empty spool is put onto it and you can fill it with whatever you would like. You can put yarn on it and do bobbin work. Yarn does not need to go through the tension on the can. I have done that and it works beautifully.

My young-sewing-machine-guy found this machine in his "shed". He doesn't know from whence it has come. It's certainly older than he is. I love it.

Mavita busted me.. Either I mislabeled a picture or my brain is fuzzy. either is quite possible. But at least my brain was good enough for a contra dance, Mavita.

leonf that is sooo pretty.

Thanks, It pretty much came this way.

Somebody with a machine shop needs to start making new cans for these.

I wish! Of course there are 3 different styles of them, depending upon on age of machine. There is a website that explains the differences, I can’t post a link but it’s pretty easy to find on a google search.

I know a consulting engineer who would probably enjoy the challenge to recreate them, but I think it would be prohibitively expensive to have them made. It might be less costly overall to have them scanned and 3D printed with a metal model printer.

You are so right Treadle&Gears, I can't imagine how many would have to be made to match all the spool sizes. But it would be truly delightful to have bigger bobbins.

I happened upon another one. This time It really is a treadle. Haven't cleaned or oiled yet.

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Pervious owner didn't know how to tilt the machine in the base. Spool was styrofoam and it fell apart when I touched it.

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Now you have my attention?? I have never seen a machine like this before. Now I will have to be on the look out. I think I would like a machine like this one. Who knows. I come across a hoard of things that might call my name.

This morning reminded me why I do this for fun and not for profit. It took me an hour and 5 tools to get the stitch length asssmbly to work today. So happy when it freed up.[ATTACH=CONFIG]615939[/ATTACH]


Folks asked me about the size of the bottom thread spool.
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it works.

I use my two spool to piece with. Just fill the bobbin thread spool full and you can piece quilt blocks for ever. Lots of thread on the bobbin spool. I was lucky mine was clean and just needed a little oiling. Never had a problem with it.

I saw a National Two Spool treadle at the local Salvation Army thrift store about 5 years ago, it was priced at $150 and missing the spool can. The machine and cabinet were in fair condition.
Sharon in Texas

Alas without the can it is just a showpiece.

Holy moly Leon that National looks like it has a huge harp space! What are the measurements on that baby?

On my "new to me" 2 spool - I'm having trouble keeping the bobbin area cover to stay in place. Is there a trick to inserting it?

My friend was given one that uses a spool of thread in the bobbin and she sent me pictures of it. It looks like it has never been used. The decals are pristine. She helped a friend clean out her grandmother's house and the machine was in the attic sewing room. She is trying to find a museum or old estate house to take it. She said MSQC seems interested for the new sewing museum opening there.

Or might try the VSM Muserum in Tulsa. W.K. Binger runs it on Peoria St.
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Harp space isn't huge. About the size of other full sized machine. I'll take a glance at the slide.

No particular challenge on the slide.[ATTACH=CONFIG]617008[/ATTACH]

Welcome, Mary.

I don't have a "2 spool" but have seen an Eldredge manual. I think that I have a Montgomery Wards machine that has a similar "bobbin cover." I think that it lifts up and pivots from front to back. It has a spring loaded something like nut and bolt so that it can lift up and swivel out. Perhaps yours is missing or the spring is sprung?

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

The bobbin cover slides in groves like a vibrating shuttle front and rear sliding plates. The Two Spool plate slides left to right.

I just obtained a Eldredge Two Spool treadle over this past summer. I finally took it in to the Amish repair shop to get checked out as i couldnt get the machine to sew correctly. The owner wanted to buy it from me. I cant wait to get it back. I would post a pic of mine but I can’t figure out how.