Sewing Gadgets Raves & Rants

[My lil friend]

I have not ever used the seam guide. I prefer older sewing machines because they were made to last. There are many types of presser feet (zipper/piping,ruffler,single stitch,zigzag,quilting,blind hem,rolled hem both right and left). Needles will break if it is the wrong gage for the type of fabric that you are using,it is dull or the fabric is being pulled through the machine instead of allowing the machine to do the work.
I have owned a serger,but dont enjoy using them. The three ways that I was taught to finish seams are a second straight stitch 1/16 of an inch from the first,using pinking shears so cotton fabric wont ravel or a zigzag stitch close to the seam and then trimming the extra fabric off. The last is the one that I use.
My latest toy is a biastape making machine. It isnt an attachment for my sewing machine but I am looking forward to playing with it.

[chinalee61]

Where do you get those sewing feet to make ruffles and pleats? Does that come with all machines or sold desperately? My singer is a dinosaur sewing machine. Never knew of such an attachment. But I want one!

[My lil friend]

Originally Posted by chinalee61

Where do you get those sewing feet to make ruffles and pleats? Does that come with all machines or sold desperately? My singer is a dinosaur sewing machine. Never knew of such an attachment. But I want one!

I actually have a Singer that my kids named "Dino". Do you happen to know what model machine you have? I own 99, 201,301 short bed,301 longbed,and 401. There are only 2 that dont get used regularly. You can look up a list of presser feet on the SingerSewingMachine website. It will also give you a short history of the Singer company.

[chinalee61]

My singer machine book said 10 & 13 pattern sewing machines. Model number is 7037. Doesn't sound anything like yours. Hmmm? I'll check website. Thanks

[My lil friend]

Originally Posted by chinalee61

My singer machine book said 10 & 13 pattern sewing machines. Model number is 7037. Doesn't sound anything like yours. Hmmm? I'll check website. Thanks

A Singer Imperial 7037 ,according to the Singer site, is a slant shank. Im thinking built in the 70s?,80s?. The 301s and 401 are also a slant shank,but built in 1951 to 1958. Google ruffler,or other presserfoot name,Singer 7037,it will lead you to the Singer site and give you a list of the part number so you can go on ebay to purchase. I have also googled "Parts list for Singer ???". The machines that are built starting in about 1970 are mostly plastic and nylon which is why they arent as heavy as a boat anchor,but at this point IMOP they arent work horses either. I use a Singer 201 to sew on leather and was made to be just a home machine,all metal weighs about 45lbs and takes two people to put it in a cabinet.

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by My lil friend

My latest toy is a biastape making machine. It isnt an attachment for my sewing machine but I am looking forward to playing with it.

Oh you will love the bias tape machine. It works like a charm. I have used mine several times making bias tape for babies collars and sleeves and it works great. I ended up purchasing a couple more clips to get narrower widths but it works no matter what size tape you need. I usually have to do a test run before I make tape that I will use but when it's set correctly and the fabric is the correct width it's great! Good luck with yours I know you will enjoy using it!!

[My lil friend]

Originally Posted by Ldyrev1

Oh you will love the bias tape machine. It works like a charm. I have used mine several times making bias tape for babies collars and sleeves and it works great. I ended up purchasing a couple more clips to get narrower widths but it works no matter what size tape you need. I usually have to do a test run before I make tape that I will use but when it's set correctly and the fabric is the correct width it's great! Good luck with yours I know you will enjoy using it!!

I went ahead and purchased a couple of extra sizes. Im wanting to do print fabric bias tape for decoration and hems. I will get to play with it after I finish a cuddlesak (baby kitty gift),15 baby dress altered for Mina for the summer and hairbows.....sigh.... for now it sits on my cutting table stareing at me... calling my name...come play with me!...

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

And I too so want a serger! Especially since getting into clothes for women and children.

I have three 2 four threads and an 8 thread. I rarely use any of them - what a waste of $$.

[chattiesmom]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my newest sewing machine. It is a real workhorse - a 1959 Singer 401A. When I smack dab wore out my last sewing machine - I decided that I wanted an all metal machine. I bought this one from a man who repairs Singers. The 401 is his favorite. I sat down at his dining room table and sewed for about 30 minutes -- I was S.O.L.D. on this machine. Mechanically, it is so simple that even I could work on it using the manual!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by DBlain

I am assuming your machine does not have a computer, LOL one thing I just recently found out is that magnets are not to be near computers, my machine has a computer in it.


I hate my pins, guess I need to spend more money on them since they do not push in good and tend to ben easily.

Do you like and still use your seam guide, my biggest challenge is to make even curves when sewing around the neck and the armholes, I am thinking a seam guide might be helpful for that,

Woopsie, quoted the wrong person! I too hate pins.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by DBlain

Do you like and still use your seam guide, my biggest challenge is to make even curves when sewing around the neck and the armholes, I am thinking a seam guide might be helpful for that,

I made my own seam guide using a ruler and a Sharpie. I drew 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" marks on my old singer. I don't need the real guide anymore and most of the time I can tell the seam width by "eyeballing" it, but I do like to have a reference. The drawn lines work fantastic on curves - just go slow.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I made my own seam guide using a ruler and a Sharpie. I drew 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" marks on my old singer. I don't need the real guide anymore and most of the time I can tell the seam width by "eyeballing" it, but I do like to have a reference. The drawn lines work fantastic on curves - just go slow.

I agree. I like doing this better than using a guide.

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I have three 2 four threads and an 8 thread. I rarely use any of them - what a waste of $$.

If you can do without them, you could sell them on Ebay or Craig's List and get something you would use better. Just thinking...

Like you I hate having something that I don't feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

[My lil friend]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my newest sewing machine. It is a real workhorse - a 1959 Singer 401A. When I smack dab wore out my last sewing machine - I decided that I wanted an all metal machine. I bought this one from a man who repairs Singers. The 401 is his favorite. I sat down at his dining room table and sewed for about 30 minutes -- I was S.O.L.D. on this machine. Mechanically, it is so simple that even I could work on it using the manual!

The 401A is the machine that I learned on. It is the machine that I prefer over any other machine. To Singer collectors it is considered the BEST that Singer has ever offered. I have several things in my home that my mother made with her 401A for me when she was pregnant with me,including a Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Have you gotten all of the tophat cams for it? The buttonholer and the monogrammer? Soooo much fun!!!

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by My lil friend

The 401A is the machine that I learned on. It is the machine that I prefer over any other machine. To Singer collectors it is considered the BEST that Singer has ever offered. I have several things in my home that my mother made with her 401A for me when she was pregnant with me,including a Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Have you gotten all of the tophat cams for it? The buttonholer and the monogrammer? Soooo much fun!!!

I inherited my MILs when she passed away. Sadly it didn't work. I tried to get it repaired a couple of times.