Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Closed Thread Subscribe

Page 2634 of 4479

2634

Thread Tools

10-26-2011, 12:37 PM

#26331

kwendt

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Coastal Florida

Posts: 946

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovelyl

I have a 115 treadle. Is it a good machine to do FMQ? Do the feed dogs drop and if so, how? I can't find much information on the 115. Any info. appreciated!
Linda

Hi Linda. I don't think the feed drops. If you sign onto the Smithsonian archive there's a 115 manual. Try this link:

http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect.../NMAHTEX/2683/

I'd use a 15-91, 201 for FMQ but the easiest vintage machine for FMQ, might be one of the Japanese clone 15's, 'cause they have slightly better mechanics and a drop feed dog SWITCH on the front bed of the machine (usually there are three settings: Fine sewing (dogs down slightly), Normal sewing and Embroidery (dogs all the way down). Nice machines. Many of them are belt driven motors, you might be able to treadle them if you really wanted to. But I'm not sure about that.

Here's a picture of mine that I got off goodwill.com. Case is busted, and is on my 'honey do' list. So I haven't sewn with it yet. This picture is when I first got her. Now she's all oiled, rewired, polished and rarin to go. See the drop feed switch on the bed? There are millions of these types (all different names), in different colors out there.

Pinky Tan Dressmaker Japanese Clone

[ATTACH=CONFIG]277423[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

10-26-2011, 12:41 PM

#26332

QuiltnCowgirl

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Calif (San Joaquin Valley)

Posts: 3,482

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennett

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sede_Mae

I want to do some "fine" detailed cleaning of my FW... Inside crevaces and all. Outside of machine, NOT inside. I was thinking of using a Q-tip and rubbing alchohol? Would this be OK? or if anyone has some special tricks or advice... I would sure appreciate it. Also... Do you know of a great way or product to brighten the black, make her shine alittle more? My machine is in very good shape...all scoll decals intact... Etc. I just want to dress her up alittle more to take her out !! LOL :-) Thanks everyone,
Julie

Not so sure about the rubbing alcohol and how that would react with the finish on the machine, so I would avoid that unless it's on the chrome parts. To get in the crevices, maybe just try a cotton swab or a toothpick with a little bit of cotton ball wrapped around it moistened with some water (if it's not too grimy and just dusty). As far as shine, I've used Scott's Liquid Gold or paste wax on my machines and buffed up with a soft cloth.

Forgot to add, on the wax, don't use one with "cleaner" or an abrasive. :)

rubbing alcohol if I recall correctly removes paint.

Don't want to use rubbing alcohol - messes up the finish. Ask me how I know :roll:

10-26-2011, 12:47 PM

#26333

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

I've been busy this past weekend. Our 100 member quilt guild had its quilt show. Last Friday I worked 8 hours helping set up, then volunteered at the show Saturday and Sunday, and helped with take down. It is a tremendous amount of work to put on a show. My hat is off to anyone who has ever been the Chairperson for an event like that. I was just one little committee person. Lots of beautiful quilts. I'm hoping for the next show, that I can have a roped off area and display some of my antique Iron Ladies. It won't be for 2 years. I did get a Blue Ribbon in my division, so I was a happy quilter.

Texas Jan

OK, I confess (raising hand!!) I'm the chair for our guild's quilt show in January 2012. But I have tons of help, and I was very involved the last 2 shows, so I am pretty confident we'll do OK. :shock:

My hat is surely off to you!!

Texas Jan

Well, gee, thanks!! :-) The gang has done so many it's kinda a slam dunk...just organizing the meetings, tending to some of the details, etc. Not too hard!!

10-26-2011, 12:50 PM

#26334

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Needle turn is where you turn the raw edge of the applique piece under itself and stitch it to the background fabric by hand. No stitching shows on top at all.

Texas Jan

That is unless I am the one doing the handsewing!! I have 'CHSS' LOL

LMAO!!! That one took me a few seconds to figure out! ;)

Guess I am "dense". I don't get it???

Texas Jan

Can't Hand Sew (uh...) STUFF!! ;)

Thanks Charlee. I would have never figured that one out. lol

Texas Jan

Me neither, and I actually have a form of that very same syndrome!! LOL LOL

10-26-2011, 12:53 PM

#26335

miriam

Power Poster

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Somewhere

Posts: 15,507

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlee

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

Needle turn is where you turn the raw edge of the applique piece under itself and stitch it to the background fabric by hand. No stitching shows on top at all.

Texas Jan

That is unless I am the one doing the handsewing!! I have 'CHSS' LOL

LMAO!!! That one took me a few seconds to figure out! ;)

Guess I am "dense". I don't get it???

Texas Jan

Can't Hand Sew (uh...) STUFF!! ;)

Thanks Charlee. I would have never figured that one out. lol

Texas Jan

Me neither, and I actually have a form of that very same syndrome!! LOL LOL

I have disorganizationia...

10-26-2011, 12:54 PM

#26336

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwendt

Iunique... nice looking Japanese clone 15. LOVE the face plate. Handsome!

I think the free manual for the clones was off the sew-classic website? Try there first, if you don't find it... send me a message and I'll send you the .pdf.

So nice to be 'back'.... but oh my word, have I got a lot to catch up on!

So glad to see you back....and that you are recovering from the "crud"!!

10-26-2011, 12:54 PM

#26337

kwendt

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Coastal Florida

Posts: 946

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sede_Mae

I want to do some "fine" detailed cleaning of my FW... Also... Do you know of a great way or product to brighten the black, make her shine alittle more?, Julie

As far as shine, I've used Scott's Liquid Gold or paste wax on my machines and buffed up with a soft cloth. Forgot to add, on the wax, don't use one with "cleaner" or an abrasive. :)

Don't want to use rubbing alcohol - messes up the finish. Ask me how I know :roll:

Ouch, QCG!. People use all kinds of things. Try all things out carefully before using. Each machine is different. I've had huge success cleaning with Kerosene first. Then carefully use cotton balls with NON-PUMICE Goop, although someone else suggested Dawn dishwashing liquid to carefully loose up the old oil. Then used sewing machine oil to 'polish' or Scott's Liquid Gold (there are different versions of Scotts, cleaners, polishers etc. Make sure to get the right one.) I once used my husbands Porsche Carnuba car wax that he special orders (don't tell!). It did a super fine job, but getting the tell-tale smell out of the house before he came home..... phew. lol.

On my FW, I used Goop carefully to clean, then sewing machine oil to protective coat it. My FW had been obviously sitting unused for 30+ years when I got it, so it's been sitting now for a month - just breathing, relaxing. I'll go back and re-oil the mechanics and Liquid Gold the exterior when I go to use it.

Other's have suggested careful use of TR-3 Resin Glaze (a car product), but have said to be really careful not to get it on the decals. I hear tell it fills in hairline cracks and buffs up to a 'clear coat' type shine... but I haven't personally tried it yet.

10-26-2011, 12:55 PM

#26338

Quilt Mom

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: Headed home

Posts: 2,372

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennett

Question to those who would know, what is special about a Bell machine. Other than it looks interesting and very clean, I'm not sure why the price is (what I would consider) high? Is it a rare one?

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=8751380

That is intriguing! I have never seen one.

10-26-2011, 12:56 PM

#26339

kwendt

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Coastal Florida

Posts: 946

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

So glad to see you back....and that you are recovering from the "crud"!!

Thanks Janice, and others! Recovering and itch'in to get back into it. I've spent ALL AFTERNOON on this Board! Yikes! lol

10-26-2011, 12:59 PM

#26340

QuiltnCowgirl

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Calif (San Joaquin Valley)

Posts: 3,482

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwendt

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl

Don't want to use rubbing alcohol - messes up the finish. Ask me how I know :roll:

My Featherweight had somehow acquired a stickiness to her finish. Like she had been sprayed with hairspray that set. Tried water. Tried small amount of soap with water. Hmmm...what cuts through stickiness...out came the rubbing alcohol. Dumb. Now she has a dull finish. After having her 30+years in great shape. Oh, and still sticky in places. *sigh*