How many is too many?

If you read my other blog, you know that I have over 100 machines.  Some are parts machines but most of them are just old sewing machines that I have picked up along the way because, well, I can.  I did not come into this madness alone.  My friend Betsy introduced me to this crazy hobby about two and half years ago.  Today I took inventory of my machines with the intent of logging them into a spread sheet.  I know why I have never done this.  It is tedious and boring.  Still it is a very necessary task.  I have so many now,  I must keep track.

My latest project is a Singer 319W that I picked up yesterday.  It is likely going to be a very fine machine but it is staying in the museum.  It isn't up to my standards for selling.  Instead I will sell my other 319W

Since I am going to market this machine, I must sew with it.  That will be fun.  Wonder what I should make?  It seems that everyone loves to advertise their machines as capable of sewing through leather.  I happen to have some nice red leather.  I think I will see how this machine does making a little red leather zipper purse.  Stay tuned.  I have to oil and lube the machine before I can sew with it.  Come to think of it, that would be a terrific blog post.  How to service a Singer 319W.  Coming up to a blog near you !

1936 Singer 201-2

This is one of my five Singer 201-2s.  I am only keeping one.  It is a challenge for me to let these machines go.  I played with this one some more today.  I made a draw string bag for the foot controller and adjusted the bottom tension.  I am happy with its stitch.  The machine definitely likes heavier fabric, for sure.  The more layers, the nicer the stitch.

 I love the motor cover.  Not all of the 201s have that decal on the motor cover.  It adds a classy dimension to the machine.  Yes?

 Nice clean bobbin case.

There is some wear on the decal in front exactly where the fabric passed over the bed.  The front of the bed has some chips in the paint.  Truthfully they all do.  It must come from being put back down in the cabinet.  I can't figure out any other reason why.  There also is damage to the paint where the seam guide was fastened to the machine bed.  But the bed is shiny.  Look how the needle bar is reflected in the paint.

More reflection! (That would be Wrigley all curled up on the couch) I love the chrome hand wheel. 

The feed dog drop does work on this machine.  Even though it is manual and you have to lift the machine up to turn the feed dog drop screw. 

The bobbin winder works nicely.  Smooth, yes?  (That clicking noise is the spool rotating on the spindle. The motor sound variation is my fault.  I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, either.  Fleetwood Mac in the background courtesy of Pandora radio).  For a demo of how the machine sews, go back one post to http://sewingmachinemagic.blogspot.com/2013/02/sews-through-leather-like.html

SEWS THROUGH LEATHER LIKE !!!

 Betsy and I notice that machines on eBay that are proclaimed to "SEW THROUGH LEATHER!!"  sell and sell for a higher price than the exact same machine that is not touted as such. 

It isn't fraudulent to claim a machine can sew through leather.  Most machines can.  It is just that likely the machine will wear out quickly if it is put to that task regularly. 

Because the Singer 201-2 is often advertised as such, I decided to try out one of mine. Actually, come to think of it, the machine I tested tonight came with some leather needles.  HMMMMMM.

I have some leather, somewhere.  I also have some leather like, which is a vinyl product and feels like vinyl.  But it was the closest thing I had available tonight.  I got these at a yard sale for a buck.  She was selling them because she never got around to creating anything with them.  I probably won't either but it was fun to test the machine with them

I started with two layers, no problem.  I added another. Likewise, just fine.  I decided that I would not try any more than five layers. The machine did not protest, not one little bit.

We all know I am not a professional film maker.....

Next I will get actual leather.  I have some red leather  that I bought in NC last December.  I want to make a nice little red leather purse.  Now I think that I can.

Singer 328K For Sale

We have this lovely Singer 328K for sale.  It makes a wonderful stitch. This model has a light that switches on and off.  Really, some of the earlier 328s did not. 

It has, of course, been fully serviced.  Included are two extra decorative cams and of course the Zig Zag cam.  Extra bobbins, a seam ripper and two small screw drivers. 

This is quite a popular machine on eBay, I have noticed.  Visit our Website for more photos and how to contact us.