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A Little Vintage Sewing

Retro Sewing 3
 
I'm stitching on my old 1957 Singer 301 today, sewing up a little test project. Although it sews like a dream, I sure miss the needle up/down feature on my other BERNINA 580. Most times when I finish sewing a seam I have to manually move the needle up and out of the way with the hand wheel so I can remove the fabric. I also miss the auto thread cutting feature, as I'm grabbing my little snips to cut off the thread after each seam as well.
 
 
Despite all that I sure do enjoy mixing it up and sewing on something different once in awhile.
 
 
And she sure is sweet to sew with! Hmmm, I think she might need a name. What do you think - what would you name this pretty little pinstriped 301?
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Erika Mulvenna said…
Pinny! I love it, Linda!
July 30, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Beverley said…
Hi Erika!
Love your pin striped beauty, these old machines sure do have their own personalities don't they? I'm still trying to find names for all of mine, trouble is they arrive faster than I can keep up!
Know what you mean about the auto thread cutter, but you do realize that there is one on this machine? Not automated sure but it's there! Look just above the thumb screw that holds your presser foot in place and you will see a curved piece of metal. That's the thread cutter, if you look really close you will see that the top edge is very thin and sharp, hold the thread tight, pull it down on the sharp edge and your good to go!
July 30, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Hey Beverley, sounds like you are bitten by the vintage bug, too! I know that there is a thread cutter at the back of the machine, but I still would end up having to cut the very ends of the threads off with my snips anyway, so I just use the snips all the time. ;-)
July 30, 2013 at 6:34 PM
Beverley said…
I kinda guessed that you would already know but it was worth sharing just in case! I deliberately leave a few mm of thread at the end of my seam as I avoid where possible backtracking. I have found that I get a neater result and the extra bit of thread helps to stop the thread unraveling. Most seams ends are crossed eventually by another so they are secured anyway. Anything else I either use a needle to finish or occasionally I use fraycheck so trimming close isn't something I need to do.
As for machines I have two 201 treadles, one is German from 1908, four featherweights, two 99k, the best of the two has just been refurbished, a 201k with a motor and a 306k with a full set of cams! Plus a number of modern machines. My Husband keeps trying to work out how many there are..... Oh and I nearly forgot the 1898 frister and Rossman hand crank. Do you think I ought to attend SMCA? ( Sewiing machine collectors anonymous) !
July 30, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Beverly! You have some marvelous machines! I kind of lost track of how many I have, but I get a sneaky suspicion that you've got me beat. I'm jealous of those 201 treadles. ;-) Happy stitching!
July 30, 2013 at 9:27 PM
Michelle said…
Ruby (bright red lipstick) is what came to mind. ;) She is a beauty. I know what you mean about sewing on different machines. I'm not even going to say how many I have. Last check, just in my head, was over 50!
August 1, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Erika Mulvenna said…
Michelle, I love Ruby, great name! Oh my gosh, 50 machines - do you have your own sewing wing in your house? ;-)
August 2, 2013 at 8:46 AM
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