SEWMOR 404 Case redeaux
 

SEWMOR 404 Case Repair and recover

When our SEWMOR 404 arrived I was totally bummed by the condition it and it’s case was in. The GW text said the case was cracked and so I expected it to need repair. But I didn’t expect it to arrive literally in pieces.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...cs/SEWMORE.jpg

It didn’t take too long to do the actual repair of the case. This one was complete and just needed new glue and some more nails. But it sat on my table for quite a while until I had some ambition and initiative strike me out of the blue.

I decided that this box was going to be different. The box from Caroline was black on the bottom with an off white saddle, so I recovered the bottom black.
My HOTHER box was always black so I made it black. Originally it had two cord trims around the top, one on each side of the handle. I didn’t put them in as it was a lot of work and I didn’t have a tool to compress the cord and fabric into the groves in the wood.

I decided to put the single cord trim in the SEWMOR case. I had to improvise the tool and it didn’t turn out as good as I wanted. But it looks OK I guess.
I also chose a different color scheme for the case. It was originally covered with paper having a brown alligator print. So I chose to recover it with a black bottom, and black on the ends of the top with a maroon red saddle. This was the hardest box to cover for some reason. It fought us from the start.

But we got it done and now here it is:

Oh, but after getting the fabric glued to the top I was going to put the cord on when I caught Fiona red pawed stealing it.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...gmythreada.jpg
I guess she thought it was a fun toy because she played with it for quite a bit.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ngmythread.jpg

Here is my SEWMOR back in her case:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...backathome.jpg

Front view:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...orboxfront.jpg

End view:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...wmorboxend.jpg

Unfortunately the camera flash makes the maroon look red and the black look grey. The color is really maroon and black.

Now there’s one more part.
Here is the original metal case latch.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...chwithchip.jpg
Notice the chip in the paint on the edge of the machine. That was done by the metal latch. I don’t particularly like that so I replaced it with another window screen latch.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...tcaselatch.jpg
This one is a bit smaller than the one I told you about in my other thread.

I found a source of these at ACE Hardware. Many different sizes in both plastic and metal. This plastic one was just the right size without any cutting so I bought it.
Actually the truth is, I was going to buy the metal one, but my wife said, no I want the plastic one. Sigh …………… It works is all I can say.

For the time being I’m done with cases. Now to finish my treadle cabinet.

Joe

:shock: I would never have recognized it as the same machine from the first pic!!! How about a tute on how you did the case? I have many, many ugly cases that could do with a make over like that. :thumbup: You did a wonderful job.

ETA: Fiona is beautiful :)

Looks great!

Cathy, Fiona agrees with you :D.
Here is a thread I just recently did about case repairs: { http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...r-t199606.html }


Candace,

Thanks,


Joe

That is really awesome. Great job to be proud of. Sandy

Golly Joe, you are really good! That case and machine looks like new. Hard to believe something that looked so bad looks so good now. I don't know why people who own stuff will let it go without any care, do you? Barny

Joe, You did a beautiful job on that case and machine. You should be proud of that transformation since it looks like a totally different machine and case. Nicely done!

Thanks, but now I must sew with it. Think I'll make me another whacky bag :D .

Joe

Caroline,

You are soooooo right about the machines bouncing around inside the cases. But even having the machine well packed didn't help this one. I think the bottom was in bad shape before they shipped it.

I've had an idea for the inside of the case top. I think I'm going to recover that with adds from JoAnns and Hancock fabrics. That should be fairly easy to do. And we got a lot of those adds floating around.

My wife did the yardage calculations when we first decided to do the machines too. She says you might get three cases out of a 60" yard, but it will be a tight squeeze. So far the original material we bought has covered three bottoms, one complete top and the ends of the second top. I screwed up cutting the last bottom and wasted the piece. I don't think we have enough for another case. But I haven't layed it out to measure it.

Here's another pic of the 404 case with a red fish on it to show the actual color of the maroon fabric. I was playing around with the little fleece fish and just put it there. It just stayed so I took a pic of it. The fleece fish is red red so you can see the difference.
I also used natural light with no flash this time.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...sewithfish.jpg

Joe

you've inspired me so much, joe, that i'm in the process of recovering the case for my 66. not that i'll ever take it anywhere cuz it weighs a ton, but it's turning out really cute. i'll post pictures when i get a little farther.

What a great job you did! Not only do you give machines a new life, but the cases as well. I am really impressed! BTW, I've given up on the 66. I called yesterday to make an appointment to take her to the shop. I just can't figure out what it is that is blocking the wheel from turning. When the feed dogs are off, it seems to work fine, but when I put it back on, it starts whacking again. Besides that, I took the bobbin holder out to clean it and now I can't get it back in. He was really excited to work on a treadle. He thought he was going to get one of my Janomes in for service!

I'm thinking of using the same spray contact glue as I did for the fabric, but only spray one side. I haven't done it yet, but I'll get there.

Joe

MimiBug,

I do believe that when you find out what was ailing your 66 you'll be mad at yourself for quitting too soon.

You said "when the feed dogs are off, it seems to work fine, but when I put "IT" back on, it starts whacking again." Are you talking about the toothy part that moves back and forth or the plate that sits over them?

The bobbin case is a pain in the neck to get out, and back in. But it will go back in. You have to have the machine at the right point so the feed dogs don't get in the way, and the latch has to be all the way open, lever to the front. Then you wiggle and jiggle and nudge the case just right and if you're lucky it will fall right in. If not a few assorted words and then you walk away and when you get back it will fall in. Been there, done that. Lot's a fun.

Joe

How about Modge Podge, then if there are any wrinkles, or bubbles you can smooth them out.

Ain't that the truth. I doubt if these machines will ever leave the house, but I get tired of looking at ratty old cases. I clean up the machines, so why not the cases?

My next one might be the one I got recently that someone painted dark brown. Oil based dark brown pain. Handle, latches, inside and outside too. Ugh, it be UGLY. Not sure what to do with it.

Joe

What is: "Modge Podge" ?


Joe

http://www.plaidonline.com/mod-podge/brand/home.htm

The manufacturer link above. Read the history. It is interesting.

Caroline,
Thanks for the link. Read it. Will show it to my wife. Should have interesting possibilities.

Joe

Thanks for the link Caroline, I always say Modge Podge, now I know that it is Mod Podge. It is a very interesting product, I have used it for many years now. Prices sure have gone up for it, but what hasn't:)

Anamaria

mod podge is cool. that's what i would use if i wanted to put the ads on the case. actually, you could do some interesting things with that on the outside, too. what if you put old pattern pieces and the front of the pattern envelope all over the case? that could be really cool.

when you've used mod podge you have a hard coating, somewhat like a polyurethane. you use a foam brush to spread a layer (of what is basically white glue) down on your base, place your material on the glue, use the brush to spread another layer over it, then let it all dry. the result is a hard protective clear layer.

i'm loving that idea - i may do it on another case if i end up with one. great suggestion.