tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post2601763887259689271..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: New Shirt, New Class, and Another Vintage Sewing MachinePeter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51472276518853151302017-09-22T09:21:23.049-04:002017-09-22T09:21:23.049-04:00Performance.......especially when sewing heavier f...Performance.......especially when sewing heavier fabric! Vintage machines have more weight and don't bounce all over the table. Gear driven machines have more 'backbone' and with the proper needle will sew denim without a hitch.scorpioninbluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004830986247178040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-45228479504369587162017-09-18T09:16:32.784-04:002017-09-18T09:16:32.784-04:00I guess it's a time saving factor....I tried i...I guess it's a time saving factor....I tried it and it works on manageable fabrics, but of course I wouldn't hesitate with anything difficult. I have a rotary cutter, now what size mat do you have? Mine never seems to be big enough.scorpioninbluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004830986247178040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-72855560827999988762017-09-18T02:36:26.754-04:002017-09-18T02:36:26.754-04:00Hi Peter. What a fabulous shirt! Love what you sha...Hi Peter. What a fabulous shirt! Love what you share on your blog and thought our readers will too :) We've included this in our latest craft inspiration roundup https://craftylikegranny.com/fall-craft-ideas/ Cheers EmilyEmily at Crafty Like Grannyhttps://craftlikegranny.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-7476960776819873492017-09-16T21:52:43.980-04:002017-09-16T21:52:43.980-04:00I rarely pin when cutting since I usually use a ro...I rarely pin when cutting since I usually use a rotary cutter but I almost always pin when sewing. I don't get why you wouldn't want to pin except as a point of pride.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20069728120469882452017-09-16T16:36:18.092-04:002017-09-16T16:36:18.092-04:00Peter, this may be a bit off-topic........ but how...Peter, this may be a bit off-topic........ but how do feel about pinning, both when sewing and cutting. I've seen a few videos where pinning was kept to an absolute minimum and I can see the point. Of course difficult fabrics such as silks and napped fabrics do require much more. I once tried to make a shirt out of cotton chiffon and I can't tell you what a disaster that turned out to be! Do you find yourself doing a lot of pinning in your work?scorpioninbluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004830986247178040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20461620668667513892017-09-14T23:01:53.788-04:002017-09-14T23:01:53.788-04:00You look terrific in that shirt, Peter. I'm lo...You look terrific in that shirt, Peter. I'm looking forward to seeing Val's finished dress. It's going to be stunning! Sarah Sparkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04148287053331634511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-79514728024676403702017-09-06T23:23:34.647-04:002017-09-06T23:23:34.647-04:00I, too, have a 401A. Her name is Renée, after René...I, too, have a 401A. Her name is Renée, after Renée Fleming, a classic American Singer.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01697246183217584497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-31513642957773626572017-09-06T23:15:52.355-04:002017-09-06T23:15:52.355-04:00That’s my mom’s machine! Not only did she sew all...That’s my mom’s machine! Not only did she sew all our clothes on that machine, but she got us through some hard times by making some money with her sewing. Wasn’t easy, but she did it. I learned to sew on that baby. I inherited that machine and all it needs is occasional cleaning/oiling. More noise than the featherweight, but when I hear my baby purring it’s music to my ears.<br />The shirt looks great! Another triumph!<br />Robertanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-484131058550745752017-09-06T12:44:21.452-04:002017-09-06T12:44:21.452-04:00I have mine in a cabinet and love having that larg...I have mine in a cabinet and love having that large flat surface for the fabric. Ellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04174162283476551873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-69836135956936490212017-09-06T03:38:40.416-04:002017-09-06T03:38:40.416-04:00There is a ton of info out there on the 401s. Livi...There is a ton of info out there on the 401s. Living on the other side of the pond, I have a (couple) of 401Gs, the version made in Germany which is very similar -- sort of half way between the 401 and the 500. For me they were hard to learn to love, with a fair amount of jangly noise around the bobbin/case, somewhat disconcerting if you like the smooth silkiness of the featherweight, but you kind of get hooked on them. Both of mine have a comforting -- how to say it -- stability in the transportation of the fabric and the stitch that is reassuring, probably part of the direct drive effect. In a way the feel reminds me of the way some of the Pfaffs between 2000 and 2010 that I've tried. Then of course those 401s are so charmingly 50s high-tech, modern looking. My manual (in French) begins by modestly describing it as the most sensational sewing machine that has ever existed. I wouldn't go quite that far, but when I do get the urge to bring one out of the closet, it does hang around for at least a couple of projects before going back into hiding. Curious to know what is spurring these renewed forays into the vintage machine world. I guess we'll just have to wait and see... in any case, have fun with the new toys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20952825949572395802017-09-05T23:09:34.992-04:002017-09-05T23:09:34.992-04:00Congratulations on your 401. I just got a 403 fro...Congratulations on your 401. I just got a 403 from Craigslist and love it!!! Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02123851867200384377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-57334686533670457972017-09-05T22:20:40.011-04:002017-09-05T22:20:40.011-04:00I keep seeing these machines in cabinets at the bi...I keep seeing these machines in cabinets at the big thrift store. And yes, you had me at gear driven. Oooooh.<br />And thanks as ever for the reproduction part advice.SJ Kurtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871599515352715171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-67782748107417099422017-09-05T22:03:10.321-04:002017-09-05T22:03:10.321-04:00I could've written E's comment above. That...I could've written E's comment above. That Singer machine looks identical to mine! My grandma (born 1923) bought it mid-century and sewed decades of projects for her three kids and six grandkids. Then passed it on to me 10 years ago. One of my spool pins has snapped like yours. Otherwise in incredible working condition -- feels like it'll last forever and ever. Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-85824543897309386942017-09-05T22:01:13.549-04:002017-09-05T22:01:13.549-04:00That's a wonderful machine. My SIL found one u...That's a wonderful machine. My SIL found one under the crawl space in her house, and with 30 minutes of cleaning and oiling, I had it running. Your mock Liberty print is one I had in the 70s. Long may it reign.Temporary Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623590072078411952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-53687991745152647142017-09-05T21:48:11.468-04:002017-09-05T21:48:11.468-04:00Lucky you that you find these fabulous machines! ...Lucky you that you find these fabulous machines! Enjoy your Haute Couture techniques class. I used to absolutely hate hand basting until I took this class. I learned that hand basting provides you with ultimate control and accuracy. Have fun!Tomasahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12001675806748209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-49624934185568599032017-09-05T21:34:22.288-04:002017-09-05T21:34:22.288-04:00That machine is the same one that my grandmother h...That machine is the same one that my grandmother has! She bought it as a college graduation project for herself in the late 1950s/early 1960s. More than fifty years later, it is still running smoothly. As a child, I learned to sew on it and liked how easy it was to thread. Not sure what sort of pedal the one that you have includes. My grandmother's machine has an unusual one with a sort of button that you press with your toe....not my favorite design. Minor quibble given the overall quality of the machine. After decades of heavy use (she sewed clothes for her five children and annual Christmas pjs for 8 grandchildren, as well as a fair amount of quilting), the machine is still going strong, requiring no more maintenance than blowing the dust out from time to time.<br /><br />So surprised to see it here that I felt I had to share. Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11416187058809684346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-59915301657566045802017-09-05T20:07:20.009-04:002017-09-05T20:07:20.009-04:00The reason they stopped making it was, of course, ...The reason they stopped making it was, of course, cost. Once plastic became a viable construction material that was cheaper, kiss quality goodbye. As for the design using the forward slanting foot, I'm not really sure. I seam (ha! See what i did there?) to recall it was because it had to use special feet and they wanted to keep everything universal. I personally won't sew on anything else. Once I sewed on a friends modern straight shank (*hurl*) and it struck me how much less of the fabric I could see. There are many facebook groups dedicated to slants, singers, and featherweights with tons of info. P.S. I scoff at your paltry 16 vintage machines and raise you 22! And there are people with FAR more than both of us combined! Sew on! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17375771274199163255noreply@blogger.com