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!