The Singer 411G

There are sewing machines and there are sewing machines, then there is the Singer 201, which usually sells itself with in the first inch of stitching. That first inch of perfect stitching, which makes it the best sewing machine in the world.

I recently met this Singer 411g and I am going to have to qualify that opinion somewhat. I am going to have to say that the 201 is the best straight stitcher ever built. I am going to say the 411G is a
better machine, because it stitches just as well as the 201, but can zig zag and do fancy stitches too!

The 411, which was built, only in Germany, only in 1964 and 65, combines the best of Singer's technologies at the time. It uses the same type of drop in bobbin with a rotary hook that makes the 201 such a smooth sewer. It is a Slantomatic, which gives the operator a better view of the work, uses the spring loaded hand wheel and direct drive motor which gives it superior piercing power. It uses the same reliable, multi-stitch mechanism as the 401. Finally, it has all steel drive gears, which make it very robust.

I threaded this one up and started to sew. I watched that first inch of perfect stitches come out from under the presser foot and I was sold. The lady who bought it from me, was a little more skeptical, it took her about three inches of stitching to be seduced by this marvelous machine. Everyone should have one of these...

 

Season's Greetings

May your days be filled with peace, joy and hope this holiday season.
As always, thank for your support, and your business!

Playing with paint......

What's in a name?
When I posted pictures of this machine in a Vintage Sewing Machine group on Facebook, I called it Sunset. I had a particularly  red sunset I saw in Cuba one time, in mind, when I painted it.

Several comments assured me that it's name should  be Tequila Sunrise. My first thought was that it's taken me three weeks to paint this thing, so it's darn well Sunset. Once I got over my snit (by watching the news and politicians telling me  that, reality is, what ever, each one them says it is), I  started to reflect a little on my journey with this 1920's model 28, and I think we might both be right. (me and the commenters on Facebook, not the politicians....)

When I first encountered this machine, she had been sitting on the top shelf of a welding shop, for the last 20 years. This turned out to be a bad environment for shellac and she had finish issues. The big blob of weld splatter, right in the middle of the Sphinx decal, didn't help either. Mostly I bought it because it had an interesting needle and back cover plates on it, which turned out to come from an old New Home machine, which I am saving for a future project. Beyond that, I was thinking of scrapping the machine.

How ever, needs must, and painting  sewing machines is a skill that can only be acquired with practice, so it went from the corner of the sun porch to the paint stripping table.You would be surprised to see how rough the castings were, under Singer's thick, black self leveling paint. If you plan to do this yourself, I would recommend metal files, bondo and high fill primer from your local auto parts store, and sand paper, lots of sand paper, in grits from 320 to 1600.  The painting process itself turned out to be a lot of work, spraying and sanding, more spraying, more sanding...... Turns out I am a slow learner.........

The first coat of paint was a loud yellow just to see how it would look, (not good), and everything evolved from there. I chose the sunset in my memory as my color palette, so it became Sunset. But, when I think of it's journey from the welding shop to the scrap heap to my painting bench, to my living room, I am beginning to think that Sunrise would do equally well......

Sail and Sunbrella sewers

 Here is an innocuous looking pair of Japanese straight stitchers. from the 1950's and 60's. the American Home machine is kind of bland, but the cream and blue Woodwards is quite pretty.

Don't be fooled by their looks though. these area pair of kick ass sewing machines, set up for light leathers and tough fabrics like Sunbrella!

How this came to be is an interesting story. Both thses machines are Japanese versions of the Singer model 15, which in it's final evolution
 became the 15-91, which is the machine that
 every one wants for heavy duty sewing.

Now the model 15 was first introduced in the 1880's when the majority of people lived on farms. They were designed to sew what ever could be found on those farms, everything from satins and cottons up to heavy canvas and leathers. They did this all quite well, because back then, they came as hand cranks and
treadles. Now a days, we forget just how strong our arms and legs are. It was that strength that gave the machines the piercing power needed to penetrate tough fabrics.

But then along came electrification and people started moving off the farms and into the cities. heavy duty sewing became less common and 50-60 watt motors were found to work for most sewing. there the matter stood, generally, small motors and lighter sewing till the15-91 came along. It's unique gear drive and spring loaded balance wheel, allowed the machine to get up the speed to piece heavy fabrics again. The mechanical advantage of this arrangement, effectively doubled the power of the machine from 50 to 100 watts.

In the 1960's, the zig zag machine came along. These had a lot more moving parts and required a bigger motor, which led to the introduction of the 130 watt motor to drive them.

Now if you take a very easy to turn model 15 or Japanese copy of it, and give it a 130 watt motor, and it looks pretty, you have a sleeper. It will sew all the normal stuff quite nicely, but turn it loose on heavy duty fabrics, it comes into it's own. Set up correctly, 6 layers of denim, 4 layers of light light leather? No problem! Bring it on sucker.......

More adventures with paint

Yup, it's an orange model 15.

It's an experiment, well that's what I told myself. It was going to be an experiment and the chance to make a few bucks. How hard can it be to paint a sewing machine?

The truth of course, is that I like bright colors. So many black and gold Singers have passed through my hands, that I look forward to the colorful clones. So when a beat up looking Feather Weight came my way, I got an opportunity to play with paint some more.

Rattle can painting requires some skill, but with some of the modern paints available, not necessarily a whole lot, and I have this 15 that I have robbed all the parts from, so I figured that I was in  like Flint. Strip the Feather Weight and practice painting.

 So, this model 15 went from black, to blue to yellow to orange, as the 221 went from black down to bare aluminum. The Japanned paint on the on 221 is not easy to strip. It took many coats of stripper, Saran wrap and steel wool to get it bare.

Then a coat of primer....

Then a lot of sanding to get the surface of the the self etching primer flat enough for paint.......

Finally, I get to put on some color...and I have to sand that flat enough for decals and clear coats.....

It turns out that applying the paint is easy......It's all the stripping, sanding, cleaning that's smelly boring and tedious, and occasionally painful, when you get some of the stripper on your hands.

Still, you have to admit that the orange is great color for the model 15, and the yellow version was hot too, and then there is the possibility for fire engine red as well. I am thinking, that if I put aside some of my more beat up looking machines, next summer, when the weather is warm again and I won't have to run a heater in the shed, I could make some really great looking sewing machines!

Put your orders in now folks....

It's an experiment, just an experiment, that's what I told myself. Just an experiment........

Hand Crankery....adventures with paint and hand cranks.....

There is a great demand for hand crank machines in my part of the world. But there aren't that many around. Now, given that our mission statement says some thing about keeping our customers satisfied, I thought I might do something about that, (after the appropriate dose of dark chocolate, of course).

I have this lovely blue and cream Japanese machine, just crying out for a hand crank. But putting on a black spoked wheel, and a black hand crank just wasn't going to look right.
I had an idea about that....... But, ideas can be dangerous things....Instead of doing what I usually do what I usually do in the situations, making myself a nice cup of tea and thinking about it, I ventured out in search of primer, color and clear coat paint.

All went well, until it came time to install everything. The crank fit perfectly, but the spoked wheel didn't. Turns out some Japanese machines with small balance wheels, also have a shallower balance wheel, Shallower than the Singers that I usually deal with. Therefore they have a shorter stub shaft to hang the wheel on and attach the clutch......Sigh.....
However, some Japanese machines, do have the deeper balance wheels, so I am off to shop for some of them, and since, odds are, they won't be blue, for some more paint.....hehe... You just can't keep a good idea down.....

Miss Daisy

                                                        











Meet Miss Daisy,:
She is a Singer, VS (Vibrating Shuttle) series machine. The VS series eventually became the model 128, which Singer continued to build until the 1960's.
The decal pattern is called Painted Daisies and it instantly became my favorite one, when I first saw it on her.
Manufactured in 1873, I am coming to think of her the little old lady of the sewing machine world.
At 145 years old, she can still sew!

The Wrinkle 66

This is a 1940's model 66 with the Wrinkle (AKA Godzilla or Crinkle) finish .Apparently they are quite rare. Given that my customer only paid $20 for the machine, I would suspect that she is one happy sewing machine owner.
She asked me to get it going for her which I was happy to do,until I started to clean the exterior. After a lot of research on how to clean the machine, and the finish, I determined that it was not  a shellac finish, but most likely an enamel finish, that had been treated after painting by heating it briefly, to make the top layer of the paint dry faster than the bottom layer. I ended up with a toothbrush and dish soap, scrubbing one little are at a time, then wiping off the the dirty water and repeating the process, for 3 or 4 hours, till I got the whole machine, presentable.
My research on this finish also told me that Singer had made various  models with this finish, intermittently between 1941 and 1953. The general consensus is that it was put on for cosmetic reasons. But I don't think so. I sat there and scrubbed that machine with a tooth brush for 3 hours and left nary a mark on it. It's a very durable finish. I suspect that more likely, it just wasn't popular enough, to warrant putting it on all machines. I think that I know why too.
I noticed that while the foot controller had a Wrinkle finish on it, the balance wheel cover, the wheel, light and motor were regular shiny black finish.That is the way these machines were shipped from the factory.They don't look right with the rest of the head. I think they cheaped out on these parts. The end result is machine that isn't entirely appealing in terms of looks, due to the inconsistencies in the finishes. It's  a subtle effect and it may have been just enough to turn customers off of the Wrinkle finish even though was superior to all the others.
That said, it's still a 66 and it will retain it's good looks for a lot longer than the other sewing machines of the period.

The Blue Bird Fly of Unhappiness

Here is a gorgeous,brand new, shiny, Chinese clone of the a Singer model 15 sewing machine.

It's a piece of Junk.
It's a pretty piece of junk though
There are so many things wrong with it, that even I can't fix it without resorting to machine shop time.
But, it's very pretty....
I ordered this machine as a sample, as I was considering reselling them here in NA. That ain't gonna happen.....
Still, it's very pretty, isn't it?
It's a very badly assembled, poorly machined, non sewing, sewing machine.
Still, it's a very pretty, non sewing, sewing machine.
Sigh.........

Why do I keep on buying these Japanese sewing machines?

There's no money in old Japanese sewing machines. None what so ever. As lovely, sturdy and reliable this green Planet from the 60's or 70's is, it will never be worth more the $39.99 that I paid for it.

I was pondering this very question while standing in the check out at the dollar store this morning, gazing idly at all the junky plastic stuff they have, when the lady standing next to me with a package of hot dog buns shook her head and said "So much stuff!"

It came to me then, in a flash! Green Planet! I have a used green Planet sewing machine. I have environmental street cred! I am saving the world, one old sewing machine at at a time....

Well, it will do, as a  rationalization......But it remains to be seen which one I run out first, rationalizations or room....lol

The Babylock BL097 Serger/overlocker

So, I was standing in the checkout line in Value Village holding up this heavy little Babylock serger, an item that I know absolutely nothing about. Well not  quite, I did know 2 things. First thing I knew is that these little suckers are expensive machines. The second thing I know is that the price tag says say $24.99. Knowing stuff is not always a good thing, sometimes it can lead to conclusions being drawn. Conclusions as in : I can get this thing going, no problem,.... I think.
So, like I said, I'm just waiting there in line, and the lady behind me says to her husband, '' If that was me, I would just take that machine to the sewing machine store and say Helpppp!"  I looked  at her, and asked"Really?" She said "yes, those are real, real hard machines to use! You have to take a course for them".  I told her  "I was just going to find the manual online and get it going". She gave me a pitying look and shook her head sadly, at my foolishness....At which point the line moved on and we parted company.
So, I went home, found the manual, downloaded and read it. I threaded it up as per instructions in the book, shoved some fabric under the presser and hit the pedal. About one and a half seconds later, it spit the fabric perfectly sewn out the other side of the machine.
I've seen this before. Complicated looking things intimidating people, when all they have to do is read the instructions.I've seen it on sewing machines and I've seen it on half a million dollar production machines. I've seen those same machines sit and never get used. I always wonder why?

The Lada 232

For those of old enough or unfortunate enough to have first hand experience with one, the word Lada, (as in the Russian import from the 1970's), is enough to cause a shudder to run through our very souls. Well it turns out that there is a company in Czechoslovakia called Lada that makes quite good sewing machines and has been doing so for decades now.
This one came home with me yesterday, from Value Village, simply because I had no idea what it was. It turned out to be a vintage Lada 232 zigzag. and it appears to be quite a good sewing machine, but we shall see, once I try it out. I quite like it so far, it's built like tank  and has labels on all oiling holes. It look looks like serious heavy duty sewing machine.
Since it only cost $15 and a weighs well over 30 Lbs, I'd say it's a lada machine for the money!

The Ford Deluxe

This blog started out with, among other things, the quest for a hot pink sewing machine. This hot rod pink and cream, Ford Deluxe fits the bill perfectly. I suspect that it's from the 1950's, but I'm not at all sure that it is. It is definitely a Japanese machine, but there is no JA number stamped on it, so there is no way of knowing who built it.
It's a straight stitcher, with a complicated looking stitch length adjustment regulating mechanism, consisting of a knob and window to show the preset length. With the tensioner on the end of the machine and the oscillating hook, it is plainly a dressed up Singer  15 clone.  As such, with out even turning it on and sewing with it, I know that it will be a real work horse of a machine, and able to sew just about anything that I can cram under the pressure foot.
This is also, the only machine that I have seen that has a built in storage compartment under the top cover. And it's pink!
This machine came to me, courtesy of Aleda Johnston, up in Lilloeet.  She knew about my quest for a pink sewing and has a friend Greg, who owned this one. She introduced him to my and blog and convinced him, that should he ever decide to part with it, I should be first on the list.
They brought it down to Surrey, and we spent a pleasant afternoon, talking about sewing machines, motorcycles, quilting and like all transplants to this province, how much better the weather is here than in our home towns.....lol.
Thanks Greg,you can be sure that your machine has found a good a home!
Not for sale!

HOW TO PACK SEWING MACHINES FOR SHIPMENT

Why do sewing machines get damaged in transit?
Mostly it happens because the the box gets dropped, and the head shifts in the case, which damages the base. Alternatively, impacts stove in the side of the box and the case. This is how I pack machines for shipment via the post office.This 66 in a bentwood case has a long way to go and I want to make sure that it gets there undamaged.

First the accessories are boxed and tucked into the storage slot

Next the cord and the foot controller are wrapped up with a rubber band and stuff into an old (but washed) sock

 Ditto for the case handle.

Next, strips of fabric are wound  tightly around the base and secured with layers of packing tape. The fabric protects the machine from the tape and the tape adds strength. What this does, is, in effect, lock the base and the machine together into one unit. preventing movement of the head.
More importantly, the band holds the sides of the case tight together. The joints of the case can't split because the bands hold them in compression.

With all the fabric bands in place, the socks containing the foot controller and handles are placed on the bed of the machine and lightly secured by some low tack painters tape. This tape is sticky enough to stick, but not so sticky it will take off paint or shellac when lifted off.

Next, the cover of the case is installed and secured with fabric and tape. Now the base, the head and the cover are one solid unit and they can't separate in transit. The cover key is wrapped in  painters tape and secured to the top of the case.

Now to protect the machine from impacts: First a piece of Styrofoam insulation is cut to size and scored so that it will conform to the shape of the case.

Styrofoam is compressible and will rebound to it's original shape. In the process, it absorbs the shock of impact, protecting the wood underneath.

Now a Styrofoam base and end pieces are added. More tape is wrapped around to hold it all together.

Now for the cardboard. I scrounge big pieces or sheets from the waste bin at work for mine, but basically any size and shape used boxes can be adapted. I prefer to wrap the machines so that the final result will conform to the shape of the case inside. Most sewing machine cases are wider and heavier at the bottom and this means that the machine is much more likely to travel right side up or on it's side than it is to travel upside down

The cardboard is wrapped tightly around the Styrofoam and lots of tape is used to hold it all together.




No amount of packing can guarantee,that a machine will arrive undamaged every time. However, they would pretty much have to drop the machine on it's corner, from a height of a few feet, do do any real damage, when the machine is packed like this.

Costs: generally, one roll of packing tape and 1/4 of a sheet of Styrofoam. (about$3.50)
How to do it better? Get a bigger box and peanuts and put the cardboard wrapped machine inside that. However, that can result in higher postage costs and, ironically, increase the probability the box will dropped in transit, as it could be too big to handled comfortably by posties, who aren't, (as my petite postal worker niece tells me) all big strong guys. The shipping weight of this full size was about 19.5Kg or just over 40 Lbs.........

Will sex sell vintage Necchi sewing machines?

I came across this Necchi sewing machine ad a while back. It's quite striking, but I am not sure if it is aimed at the lady of the house, or, her husband, who in the tradition of the times was the bread winner and decision maker.....(At least that's what they claimed........)
But back to that in a bit......
In the mean time, here for your consideration is a gorgeous Necchi model BC vintage sewing machine. I would almost call it a sexy machine, cause it has great lines and it's very stylish. Sews like dream too. The harp is quite large which will make it a great machine for quilters and others who need to sew bulky items. Just serviced with a new needle. Feed dogs can be lowered for embroidery, has reverse and comes with an instruction manual as well as some bobbins and needles.

Back to sexy bit now.....So, does Nechhi's sexy advertising,which at times, included pictures of Sophia Loren, sell vintage sewing machines? Let me know.......

The Redeye

This a 1921 model 66, Red eye that I have been preparing for a customer. These machines are very hard to find in Canada, but plentiful south of the border. Why this is so, may be explained by the fact that the Red eye decals were only put on machines made at the Elizabeth Port plant in New Jersey. Most of the 66's sold in Canada came from Quebec or Kilbowie in Scotland.

In it's heyday, up to the mid 1930's when the 201 was introduced, the 66 was the best sewing machine ever built. It also begat the model 99, which later was repackaged as 185, the 3/4 size version of the same machine. This particular machine was made in 1921, which would make it 97 years old now. It still makes a perfect stitch, and because of the condition of it's decals, still commands a premium price.

The Singer 201, the best sewing machine ever built.

As a mechanical engineering technician, who has spent the last thirty years fixing various electro-mechanical devices, I have developed an appreciation for good and elegant mechanical designs. This is probably why I go a little bit gaga on the subject of the singer 201, which is simply the best straight stitch sewing machine in the world.
The 201 is a gear driven machine that simply cannot go out of time. It is utterly reliable and will sew miles of of fabric and never miss a stitch, day in day out, for decades.Which when you think about it, is absolutely amazing. But then what else would you expect of the the best of it's kind in whole world?

The Pfaff 30

This is the first Pfaff that that I have encountered and it has been an interesting experience. I drove out to Aldergrove one rainy week day afternoon and with traffic it was long trip. There was no answer when I knocked on the door. I was about to leave when a young fellow who looked like stoner came up the side of the house and identified himself as the person I was supposed to meet. Yes he still had the machine, but, there was a problem. He needed me to give him a hand to break into the house........he said that he had locked himself out.......Ever tried breaking into some one else' house in pouring rain? Ultimately, it must have been his house, because the machine was inside and we made a deal on it. The situations that I get myself into, in the pursuit of sewing machines.....

I can't say that I'm really impressed with the model 30. It's clunky. It's slow sewing machine, the motor is only rated for 2000 RPM and if you try it with a faster motor,like I did, it vibrates it self across the table if you unless you hold it down. The motor and light assemblies on this one is overly complicated. Even the spool pin assembly  consisted of 3 pieces and 2 thumb screws. It will only fit into a Pfaff case or table. I haven't figured out that the other adjustment (probably superfluous) lever on the tension setting knob does, but it doesn't seem to interfere with anything. You have to wonder why the makers took a good and simple machine and messed it up with with complicated add-ons.

That said, It sews great! Like the Berninas, it has it's little quirks. But once it's dialed in it's rock solid and steady.

She's Lovely.....Updated...

Well, the teal colored White that I wrote about before has finally found a new home.  Her good looks have gotten her a part in a new TV program. I understand that it is a non speaking part though. She may not even have to sew anything, just sit there and look good.......

Flamingo Sewing management and organization

Like any well run organization, Flamingo Sewing has a highly organized and efficient management structure. We even have a Mission statement.....

Our mission Statement:

1. Find a hot pink sewing machine
2. Try to eat dark chocolate once a day
3. Try to keep our customers satisfied
4. Don't get fat from the chocolate

Management:
We have a Board Of Directors: A flock of proudly Canadian pink Flamingos, who guard the garden, argue about politics and and like all upper management just generally stand around doing nothing much. (but they are important!)

Quality Assurance:
We have a Quality Assurance Manager: Alice, the Cat. Alice gravely scrutinizes the servicing of every machine that Flamingo Sewing services and  sells, (when she is not chasing dropped bobbins, trying to play with the thread or napping in the case). Like all Tortoiseshells , she is highly opinionated and chatty and demanding. I figure that this makes her a perfect QC manager.



Uniform:
We have a uniform for our employees too. We have a Flamingo Sewing, sewing machine selling vest that was gifted to us by a concerned family member. It was felt that this would add a little dignity to our organization. Not sure about just how dignified we are are ever likely to become, what with the quest for hot pink sewing machines....but I like it and the board of directors has approved it, so we are in good shape on that front. There was some discussion as to whether or not the hat should be part of the uniform when it is worn indoors though.....



Service department:
We have a proper sewing machine tool box, decorated in French Art Nouveau style and there are tools in it too!
 

















 Sewing machines:
We have lots of these. Some we keep them because we are still in love with them and sometimes we sell them............

 Rest assured, that with Flamingo Sewing, you are in good hands. Quality machines, great service and easy to find here in the trailer park. Just look for the hot pink mobile home with the flamingos in the yard. That's us!

Selling sewing machines, writing ads.......

Recently, I helped a lady prepare an eBay listing for her Singer 222K........

Sewing machines have interesting lives some times, some are loved and used by a family and passed own from mother to daughter. Some are passed from one household to the next. Some lead different lonelier lives. This is one of the lonely ones. It was bought, brand new and glossy by a husband for his wife in 1960. She told him that she was pleased with his gift. But, she didn't sew, so she shoved it in the closet and forgot about it.. 

 

Paul, the husband, found it there in 1988, and, having figured out that his wife was not likely to use it after all, passed it on to a woman who loves sewing and sewing machines.

Now you would think that she would immediately start using this wonderful machine, and allow it to realize it's purpose in life. But sadly no........There were good intentions, but there were so many new and beautiful sewing machines to try out, and the 222 was forgotten, consigned to the closet again. Brought out, and turned on occasionally, oiled and polished with loving care it was centerpiece of her ever growing collection of sewing machines. But sadly, it was rarely sewn , no more than six times she tells me.

Now I am of two minds about this. First I am pleased to offer this absolutely immaculate, unused, 222K for sale to folks who love and use these machines. On the other hand, I feel a spark of hope, rising in my chest, that this time the buyer will love it enough to use it for the purpose it was made for. Please give this sewing machine a good home! Let it's lonely existence in dark closets become a thing of the past....please......

 

................................................................................................................................................................

The asking price for this immaculate, new old stock Singer 222?  $2000.00. She will get it too, because, these machines are scarce, they are extremely portable due to their light weight and it is in factory new condition. Quilters love these machines for taking to quilting sessions and sewing the quilt squares together. Of course, because it is a free arm, it can be used for hemming and other sewing tasks involving tubular shapes.

The Featherweights were one of Singers most successful machines. Their aluminum construction and small size was was the remedy for the the weight of the cast iron machines  previously built. When your sewing machine weighs well over 15Kg, it's not really very portable any more. Singer made over 2 million of the 221's and about 100,000 for the 222 free arm version.  They are relatively scarce in the US, there seem to be more of them in Canada  and they seem to be plentiful in the UK. Prices vary by location.

The Bernina 707

Berninas are relatively rare here in BC. But the people who like them, seem to like them a lot. This one exited stage right about 48 hours after I picked it up at the thrift store, in the arms of a lady who clutched it to her bosom, like a lost child. Maybe it was, she said that she had had one just like it for years, before it died completely on her.

I found it to be a fussy machine. It didn't want to do a consistent satin stitch for me until I figured out the satin stitch control and cleaned the hook area meticulously and adjusted the bobbin tension a bit. It also has a tendency to become quite noisy for no apparent reason. But if you can put up with it's quirks and are willing to take the time to learn the machine, it can sew up a storm.