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. )
3 different Singer 221/222/301 bobbin cases as they arrived here in July.
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.
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 one causes a lot of sometimes heated discussion on forums. Many people have done tests and lots of opinions have been stated. Today, I’m going to state my opinion, back it up with my reasoning and testing and then you can decide what you want to do with your own machines.
A couple years back, I mentioned that I could still get Singer Lube that was still suitable for use in Singer motors. In February of this year, that changed. I spent some time posting about it on Facebook.
There have been a lot of discussions about sewing machine motor lubricants over the years and I thought I’d take a step further back and discuss why we do this, how we do this and why some of the information “out there” is sort of F.U.D. (<- Wikipedia Link)
First off: Why do we lube or oil a motor? (I’m a why person, have you noticed this yet?? I’m quite sure I drive some people nuts with my “whys?”… )
It seems like summer always brings lots of household projects. This year, it’s a leaking woodstove flashing (fixed – and the painting of the ceiling to go with it – not fixed), window frames needing to be painted (again – pending) and then the vehicles landed on my radar. They haven’t seen a good detailing in well,.. ever in the case of the truck and the car probably hasn’t seen a comprehensive detailing since 2008.
Yeah, I’m not proud of that. When the August long weekend hit, we started cleaning and cleaning and… uh oh. Rust. We went from prepping and painting a few spots to some fairly major repair and painting. This is what we (former) business analysts call “scope creep”.
Great. Spraying base and clear. I’ve done this before. Last time (2007), it was a 1999 CBR 600. I’ll post that “throwback” post one day soon. Yeah, I haven’t sprayed automotive paint in 9 years – I did do some major bodywork on a truck since then but I rolled that paint instead of doing it with a paint gun.
Speaking of rusty things – I am as well and my body sure has a lot more to say about it this time around.
I also swore that time that I’d never spray clear again. Awesome. 😉
Since I’m going to be shooting clear anyway, I thought I’d try to do the touch-ups, and wet sand the sags in the paint on the “Wee One” and give her a final coat of clear too. If it doesn’t work – well, she was going to be repainted anyway.
For years I’ve told people not to trust the handles, joints or latches on vintage sewing machine cases. The glue is old and brittle. The nails and fasteners may be weak or loose. Often the case has been compromised by moisture. The damage to person and property can be significant. A case and machine landing on the floor or table WILL do damage. A case and machine landing on YOU is likely to result in an emergency room visit and possibly a plaster accessory for the next 6 to 8 weeks.
This holds true of a featherweight as well. It’s easy to think “eh, it’s 11lbs.” True, the machine is 11lbs – plus the weight of the accessories, the pedal and the case. Typically, this tops 20lbs. Continue reading Did she call me a bag lady?→
I just realized it’s been nearly 6 months since I updated the blog.
I apologize for that everyone! It’s been a really up and down several months. I thought I’d update you on some of the larger points. Continue reading Sand slipping through my hands – A 5 month update→
If anyone had told me a few years ago that I’d be teaching people to maintain their vintage machines, I’d have probably thought they were crazy. We’re planning more workshops for 2016 though!
For that matter, if they’d told me that I’d be quilting on a massive quilting frame and have a long arm as my most consistent dance partner and half my basement dedicated to sewing machines and quilting, I’d have shook my head and thought they really didn’t know me.
Similarly, it never occurred to me that I’d become a published pattern designer. As of today, this too though has come to pass. Today, my very first pattern has been uploaded to Craftsy and is available for sale and proceeds from this pattern will support the upkeep of ArchaicArcane.com and facilitate the upgrade of certain video making equipment. Continue reading A new pattern for a new year!→
Last week, support for the operating system on the computer that brings you ArchaicArcane.com was discontinued. This is not unlike when Microsoft said no more XP.
What this means for AA is that I need to do some behind the curtain maintenance before I can do the on-stage updates. I’m working on many things at once and you’ll start to see some posts hopefully this month.
The server and a quilt I was working on last month were the top priorities keeping me away from the site. Now though, I have lots to say, I just need to take care of the server first so you can read about it when I tell it! 🙂 Continue reading A little wizardry – overdue maintenance on Archaic Arcane→
My thoughts and revelations on the skills of yester-year
