After seeing Haversack build along I have idea of what I can do with my grandfathers woolrich shirt I have kept all these years even though its too small. lol
Will any sewing machine work for wool Or does it have to be heavy duty or? I googled but have only gotten more confused.
Many on **** cheap
thanks in advance
My wife sews constantly.
She has made me wool shirts. About any quality sewing machine should handle the job.
QuoteOriginally posted by macbow:
My wife sews constantly.
She has made me wool shirts. About any quality sewing machine should handle the job.
Yup. Most any will be fine.
I have sewed some pretty heavy materials (back pack straps, etc) with a standard machine. Each machine will be different, minimally use new and proper type needles on every job. Makes a HUGE difference on heavy outdoor stuff like we use.
Dan in KS
QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
I have sewed some pretty heavy materials (back pack straps, etc) with a standard machine. Each machine will be different, minimally use new and proper type needles on every job. Makes a HUGE difference on heavy outdoor stuff like we use.
Dan in KS
X2
a new needle (installed properly :knothead: ) and matched for the fabric you are sewing is very important.
I've got 4 machines in my shop, from a light duty household type to a heavy duty walking foot that will sew through 3/4" pine boards. Generally speaking, as commented above, get the right needle and thread, and if you can get it under the foot, you can sew it.
All trad shooters should have a sewing machine.
I also need easy :dunno:
I am looking at (https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZ__RGvzeh2kRvgOuQCIDC6ikUV0NuqAN2FT3AXpXseCyk1BV_cw) for $139 NEW
think I am gonna pull the trigger on it tonight
project pics to follow :D
I'm really happy I decided to buy a good sewing machine. I've always wanted to modify my gear and even make some of it, but had no way to do it. I spent a huge amount of time researching used machines and beating myself silly with doubts about what to get. I heard everything new was junk and everything old was impossible to keep serviced or tuned. I finally talked to a woman who lives in Wyoming and does a lot of custom sewing for horse people. She favored strongly built and somewhat older units for this type work (as opposed to entry-level machines) and that nailed it down for me. I bought a 1970s vintage Bernina made in Switzerland. Found it on C-list and drove 200+ miles to get it. I compare it to a Rolex and you can be sure I appreciate it. No circuit board or computer. Hearing it run is amazing, and it's as smooth as soft butter. I can sew anything from light gossamer silk to medium leather, heavy cordura, webbing, etc. Great investment and one I should have made much sooner.
Great post Kevin... you have me surfing the net now... Could you post a picture?
Bernina 830. Mine came loaded with original case, extension table, accessories and even an original Bernina walking foot. I was amazed at how nice the condition was and how long these units can sew. They don't come cheap though, and are in demand.
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/_571.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/dillbilly/media/_571.jpg.html)
(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/_572.jpg) (http://s52.photobucket.com/user/dillbilly/media/_572.jpg.html)
Thanks Kevin I may take that route also
That's perfect Kevin, thank you sir!
The walking foot comes in handy when you are sewing heavier materials.
You can find used/refurbished ones as well from Sewing machine shops. Worth looking in to.
You know you're a hard core bow hunter when you buy your own sewing machine to work on your clothes and equipment! :)
the cylinder arm on the bernina is a handy tool.
many of the older singers are great machines.
i have an industrial flat bed machine and it does well-and a heavy leather stitcher for the heavy- 3/4" stuff.
for me one of the bigger things i like is a wider throat- so that you can get a pile of fabric through the throat. problem with industrial machines as that they will only do one job, those berninas will do zig zag, button holes etc etc
and they are tough machines as home machines go- probably the best ones out there!
Only on tradgang ! I get smirks from the guys at work when I tell them I make my own equipment. Of course they're wheels and gun powder guys. Very interesting post!
QuoteOriginally posted by Kevin Dill:
Bernina 830. Mine came loaded with original case, extension table, accessories and even an original Bernina walking foot. I was amazed at how nice the condition was and how long these units can sew. They don't come cheap though, and are in demand.
Great machine! The 830 and 801 are the last of the all-mechanical Berninas. The only real difference between them is the knee-lifter on the 830.
How do I know this stuff? My partner has both an 830 and an 801, though I claim the 801 is mine. She also has two more Berninas (computer controlled embroidery machines), a Brother (also a computer controlled embroidery machine), an overlocker, and a computer controlled quilting frame. And people say archery is expensive!
Alan is spot-on. I've heard of people who have several (expensive) machines, loads of fabric, accessories and all the accoutrements that go with a first-class sew shop. The investment tops 5-figures in a hurry. There are websites, forums and it never stops.
I've seen guys turn out some pretty fine gear, such as pack bags, pouches, zippered cases, and many custom touches. I'm not at that level, but the only thing stopping me is...me. I wanted one machine I could trust 100% to be good, strong and accurate. Spend once and be done.
QuoteOriginally posted by alaninoz:
... And people say archery is expensive! [/qb]
Alan, that's no joke. I do think I am going to be a victim/benefactor of the same though. My wife picked up quilting from neighbor a few months back, she just purchased her second Bernina(both old models) the neighbor is about 5-6 machines into it, rents a long-arm every couple months too.
I just want to reenforce the stitching in my pants, make a few mods to gear and have a couple things that work the way I want them to. Interesting to see this thread pop up when it does..... Must be idle hands season.
Am I the only one that still hand sews all their stuff? We have a machine, but it's not up to heavy materials, so I do all my leather and stuff by hand.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r76/Timroberts_bucket/image.jpg1_zpseiql7jmf.jpg) (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/Timroberts_bucket/media/image.jpg1_zpseiql7jmf.jpg.html)
Hard to beat an old Singer!
Thanks,
Nice post Mates. Very interesting.
Does anyone have a source for wool plaids in the 18-29 oz. range?? Without breaking the bank?
QuoteOriginally posted by halfseminole:
Am I the only one that still hand sews all their stuff? We have a machine, but it's not up to heavy materials, so I do all my leather and stuff by hand.
Nope. For all the fancy machines around the house I still do most of my sewing by hand. Only use the machines for clothing.
I learned some valuable stuff from a guy who lived in Montreal. He was a dedicated hand-stitcher and gave me some good pointers about sewing by hand. There are really 2 or 3 negatives if they matter: Seams won't be as perfect-looking. Fingers might get sore. It will take longer. BUT, you can sew a tighter stitch by hand and do little customizations that would make you crazy with a machine. I hand-stitched a bunch of custom webbing to my packframe a few years ago. It involved bar-tacking 3 layers of heavy 1" wide nylon webbing. Every stitch was made holding the crewel (needle) with pliers, and I used heavy upholstery thread. It took many hours to add all the webbing to the frame. My bar-tacks were so tight they squeaked. Nothing will ever make them fail I'm certain. I use that frame to haul heavy loads of meat and supplies into camp. I might have been able to do the sewing on my Bernina, but managing the frame and webbing would have taken serious thought and maybe an extra set of hands. Nothing will ever replace hand-stitching, but nothing will ever get me to part with my machine either.
my wife has a 30 year old Singer (newer ones are disposable) and a new Brother quilting machine. after seeing the heavy, thick quilt material she outs thru them wool would not be a problem with either machine.
I have a high $$$ Husqvarna(sp) that my wife inherited from her grandma. She sewed a dress or shirt or something on it 20yrs ago, and has not touched it since. I use it all the time for fixing up hunting clothes and stuff!
Bisch
I like this thread (pun intended). I like to use my sewing machines a lot. Here is one of my favorites that I think you folks may enjoy. It's called simply Elna, some folks call it a No1 because it was the first sewing machine Elna produced, or the Grasshopper because of its looks. They were made in Switzerland between 1940 and 1952 or so. It is super portable and folds up neatly into this little case.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/DSC_1050_zps89f5ecta.jpg) (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/brannan_family/media/DSC_1050_zps89f5ecta.jpg.html)
Here's what it looks like inside:
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/DSC_1051_zpspzzmtmje.jpg) (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/brannan_family/media/DSC_1051_zpspzzmtmje.jpg.html)
Here's the Grasshopper all set up. Notice the case makes its own work table, cool design.
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/DSC_1052_zps30ceuenr.jpg) (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/brannan_family/media/DSC_1052_zps30ceuenr.jpg.html)
Here's a closeup of the Grasshopper for your edification:
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/brannan_family/DSC_1054_zpsbjdgt0xy.jpg) (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/brannan_family/media/DSC_1054_zpsbjdgt0xy.jpg.html)
I have a couple of these because spare parts are tough to come by. Hope you enjoyed.
Tom
Now THAT'S traditional! Cool machine Tom.
I use this 1/2 horsepower commercial machine. Haven't hooked it back up since I moved. I don't worry about changing the needles very often with this one.
Agree, wool should be easy to sew.
(http://i.imgur.com/VvHyx5J.jpg)[/IMG]
QuoteOriginally posted by sswv:
my wife has a 30 year old Singer (newer ones are disposable) and a new Brother quilting machine. after seeing the heavy, thick quilt material she outs thru them wool would not be a problem with either machine.
I agree about the newer Singers. My wife has one that's less than 10 years old and is junk. When it started acting up she was told it would cost more to repair than replace.
Ironically enough, my 100-year-old Singer treadle machine still works great.
wow that elna is cool.
Elna's are still a popular make today!
2 nocks- those industrial machines are pretty skookhum, and really easy to work on, set timing etc. just that industrial machines are not multifunctional, like the home machines. but I sure prefer them!
I scored a Kenmore from a friend "FREE" Its perfect starter machine. Before I dive into making a pullover from my Grandads old woolrich I need to do a few starter projects, Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance pics would be great.
Ed
You could always start with a bow sock. simple tube and useful. I made a camo fleece pull over hoody years ago in a home-ec class. buried deep somewhere by now. :rolleyes:
I've wanted one for years. I've always hand stitched the things I've made or repaired, but a machine sure would be faster, and do a nicer job.
There are other things I've wanted to do, but the amount of stitching needed, has kept me from doing them.
How cool is this? A site where a bunch of guys can talk about sewing machines, and not get laughed at. :bigsmyl:
I've gotta get one, one of these days.
Bob
emac396, you may want to buy some inexpensive, cotton muslin material to begin with. Make several items with it till you learn the ropes. If you screw up, it does not cost much and allows you a good chance for a do-over before committing your expensive material to a project. I admire your initiative. I have threatened to learn to sew a few times but have not yet done so.
QuoteOriginally posted by Gray Buffalo:
All trad shooters should have a sewing machine.
x2!!
i just finished a bino harness. i'd be lost without my sewing machine.
i mean, imagine not having custom gear. :scared: