Probably every couple of years, I get this question. It goes something like this:
“I opened up the top of my machine, and I found a spring laying in the bottom. Where does it go? ”
The machines in question are usually the Singer 401/403/500/503/411/421/431 and some of the related machines.
This is what the spring looks like.
Continue reading Reader Mail – January 2022 edition – Slant-o-matic spring gone rogue
Around 2 months ago, I received 3 Singer featherweight 221/222 (and 301) bobbin cases from my Canadian parts supplier. The cases varied in quality and perhaps accordingly in price. They’re also 3 of the cases most commonly seen in the wild when someone goes looking for a featherweight bobbin case. Like me, you’ve probably read a lot about variable quality and about some not fitting at all, some stitching out poorly and other issues.
The purpose of ordering the 3 bobbin cases was to investigate why there were so many issues with some cases and if anything could be done once you got the “wrong” case. (Caution: Long “shoot out” style post warning! You’ll also want to click on pictures to view the bigger versions. It will probably make what I’m saying a lot clearer. )
Initially, I’d planned only to evaluate 2 cases – the Korean made Towa and the Japanese made Towa case but Continue reading Never Know Unless You Give It A Try – Replacement Featherweight Bobbin Cases
Mostly a little update really. Earlier this summer I finally got out to the garage and spent a little time in serious negotiations with my router. In exchange for it not killing me, I promised to… well not get hurt, I guess? I mean really, what’s my bargaining chip here?
The wood pieces look better now – though far from perfect. The router and I don’t get along well. Continue reading The DIY electric weaving bobbin winder – a tale in two acts… Act 3
The other day, I posted about a DIY singled ended electric bobbin winder. In November – couple of months after I built that first prototype – I found 4 used End Feed Shuttles (EFS) which suddenly made the single ended winder a little less ideal.
By responding a little too slowly, I just missed out on a used double ended electric winder from the same seller. Having missed out on that , I decided to start plotting a way to modify my winder into a double ended bobbin winder. Naturally, winter in central Alberta isn’t an ideal time to be trying to go outside into the unheated garage to woodwork, so the project got put on hold until January – which is still not an ideal time for wood destructor shed projects! January is when I started my next weaving project (the one I talked about in the last post.) That project showed me that while the current winder could wind pirns, I didn’t enjoy it (I mean, as much as you’d ever enjoy winding bobbins/pirns?)
Once again, the point my mind was stuck on was the mandrel portion of the winder. Additionally, it needed to be very smooth turning – which is why Continue reading A DIY electric weaving bobbin winder – Act 2 – Double Ended Winder
Well. 2020 is over, to the relief of most of the world, I’d think. In reality, this annual post almost didn’t happen. It wasn’t until I went back through the photos on my phone that I saw I wasn’t quite as idle as I’d thought. I mean, I took almost 4000 pictures… I had to have done some things, right?
I was pretty sure I’d done nothing this year but between getting to know 2 new kittens, refurbishing a loom, finishing a spinning wheel, prepping Continue reading Better Days Are Coming Now – 2020 Year End Wrap up
I know a few people who read this blog are weavers or spinners who rewind their spinning bobbins before plying and feel like I do that electric weaving bobbin winders in Canada are a little pricey – so I did an experiment this summer. How much would it cost me if I built one? At first, I opted for the single ended winder. It looked simpler to build and I didn’t have pirns that needed the support on both ends. I’ll call this prototype #1.
The part that had me stumped for a while was the metal mandrel that the bobbins fit on. Continue reading A DIY electric weaving bobbin winder – a tale in two acts – Act 1
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’ve decided to finally set up the shop completely. With the way we all do things changing from day to day, this seemed like the right time.
For years, I’ve mentioned in posts that I would put this or that into the shop when I had a chance. Now that my IT work and sewing machine repairs have slowed to a halt due to the pandemic, it’s bubbled to the top of the list. Everything’s been photographed and a description added. I’ve tried to be as descriptive as possible but do check attached photos as well.
This means : Continue reading The shop is up and running!
When last we talked, the world was a way different place. I had hoped 2020 would be a kinder gentler year for all of us. How are you all doing?
Strangely – for this introvert, it’s still is a less stressful year but that’s because my fur kids are such a huge part of my life and 2019 was pretty stressful that way. 2020 started with new furry companions in the house. Continue reading Well, That happened! – 2020 Jan – May (and Shop) Update
Well, I put this post off for a little longer than I should have – but I had what I think is were understandable reasons mixed with a little procrastination.
In mid-December of 2018, Stormi began spending almost all of her time in the bedroom which meant more time for me in the bedroom taking care of her. That put some projects and some of my usual stress relievers on hold because I wouldn’t leave her alone for more than a few hours at a time . Continue reading 2019 Year End Wrap up, part 2 – everything else
This highlights reel / wrap up is a little later than I planned. It’s also far longer than I’d planned – so I’m breaking it up into parts 1 and 2. Today’s will cover the Sewing Machine related stuff and tomorrow’s will be the rest of the year in review.
In January, I moved all free help to the AA Vintage Sewing Machines Study Facebook group. I did this because so many people would ask for help but leave incorrect contact information, or I’d respond and never hear back at all. This way, a group of us can draw on our collective experiences and help Continue reading 2019 Year End Wrap up – part 1: sewing machines
