Sewing machine studio

    I know some of you will dismiss what is posted here as excessive, impractical, ridiculous, or laughable. Regardless, this setup works for me and keeps wonderful vintage machines doing what they do better than any new machine- sew straight stitches. All of these combined cost less than the piece of expensive junk lemon quilters Pfaff that I bought new 9 years ago (long gone).
     I have a table my husband made for my most used machines and I have it set up like a woodshop. In a woodshop, different tools have different functions. No one would think of having one saw or one drill. There are circular saws, band saws, table saws, hand saws, radial arm saws, etc. In my studio, each machine fills a role and in some projects I may use all of them as in wall hangings I just finished for a show. This enables me to have a good workflow with minimal set up time and work on multiple projects.

     Each machine has a particular function is set up to do it.

      This LBOW (Light Beige Oyster White) Singer 301 Slant needle is my piecing machine. I have another I use for retreats or travel. The best straight stitch machine ever. The motor is direct drive, no belt, and is incredibly faster than any new one. The slant needle area give phenomenal visibility.

      This Singer 15-91 is also a direct drive machine. I use this for sewing on all my bindings and pockets on the premade tote bags I use for comfort quilt giveaways. Absoulutely rock solid and powerful.

      This is my newest 301. I have a black one, but this mocha 301 works better. It is used for FMQ smaller quilts than put on the long arm. It quilts flawlessly with perfect tension and great speed. The quilting foot is on and ready to rock and roll at a moment's notice. I never name machines, but after using it recently I called it Mocha Momma because it really cooked.

      This Singer 401, another slant needle, direct drive, but a drop in bobbin, is my zig zag machine. I used to use it for blind stitch, but the finer one on the next machine took over. It is a powerful, smooth, awesome machine.

     The Bernina 830 was purchased because I needed a free arm machine for some uses. A friend in Pittsburgh recommended it and I found a great one on ebay from a sewing machine store on the West Coast with all its accessories. This machine makes a tiny blind stitch with monofilament flawlessly for applique. Plus the freearm so I can sew inside things. An all metal machine but for the camstack, it is easy to clean, oil and maintain- a real dream of a machine.
    I also have a Singer 15 treadle that I use sometimes when I just need to get calm sewing, but it is not in the rotation you see here.
    I truly use all these machines and they are a pure joy to sew on. I do my own maintenance, which I love. I am always in awe of the craftsmanship in these machines.  
     There is a lot of help and parts available in using vintage machines- don't dismiss them in favor of fluff features like built in cutters, bobbin winders or knee lifts. For sewing smoothly (no jumping machines), perfectly, and economically, vintage has my full loyalty. My expensive longarm is the one machine that always gives me fits.

Binding in Bunches

     Bunches of quilts, not bunchy binding. I find it easier to cut, make, and glue bindings in groups. I get warmed up and they turn out like I want. I do glue binding as seen in Sharon Schamber videos. I also machine sew it all, both sides. No apologies. It is on secure, neat, durable, and done. The machine I use to sew on bindings is a Singer 15-91. It has a potted motor and can sew through layers like butter. It is strong and steady.

Batik Rail Fence- dark green binding

A kit from Connecting Threads- I changed the pattern and borders. This comfort quilt went to a young woman in California who is battling aggressive melanoma. Her dad works with my husband.

An Emma's Star quilt ready for someone

Small Lemoyne Star with made fabric inspired by
Victoria Findlay Wolfe. The other blocks were found in a scrap bag someone gave me.

All together now, and it runs!

     The Singer 15-91 rescued from Restore that was all apart in pieces has actually been assembled with no parts left over or missing. When plugged in, it ran and the light turned on. When I got it, the cord was dust so I had not idea if this would run. Thanks to online help and encouragement from Elizabeth and Andrea, I was able to complete the task. The info from Rain on motor rebuild was also invaluable. A new set of Chapman screwdrivers did not hurt. Lots of cleaning and polishing. Now all I have left is tension tweaking and why o why is it so noisy in the bobbin area? Hurrah! It is together, what a miracle by someone like me!

$20, cords, and 20 hours= shiny Singer 15-91

Bits and pieces, bits and pieces

      In the quest to make things, there is lot of bits and pieces around before it is finished. My husband is building me a sewing table, 7' x 38" from maple faced plywood and solid wood legs which are an assortment of aspen, oak and maple. The legs, except for some more poly, are done. The top is underneath waiting for finish, although the cutting and assembly are done.

    Also in pieces is the 15-91 I bought at Habitat Restore. It is a beautiful machine. I have cleaned it and polished most of it. I bought a set of Chapman bits so I could get the worm gear out so I could clean the armature. They work.

Handwheel was gunked on

Yucky, yucky

Getting clean

Just Had to Do it

   The other day, I dropped off a Kenmore 158 that someone gave me and I rehabbed. I found out that a group in the city is trying to teach sewing to young refugees and was in need of some machines. The problem was after I dropped off the machine, I stopped at the local Habitat for Humanity store to browse. Oh uh! A wonderful Singer 15-91 in a cabinet for $20. How could I not take it home and lovingly clean it up and get it running. I left the cabinet there and took the machine and foot controller home. The power cord was missing and the wire to the foot controller is dust. I think the wire to the motor may be ok. It was really in beautiful shape, hardly any wear. Someone had put a marked needle plate on. The scroll work is just lovely. I am trying to convince a friend to take it when I get it done. I love mine and the 15-90. This one is from 1948. 
   I just could not leave it there moldering away. The 15-91 machines are just awesome stitichers.

Just as I got it, untouched. I do have the foot controller, just needs new cord

A true Beauty, classic and strong!

    It is about a month early for my birthday, but I saw a Singer 15-91 on ebay that was so pristine and strong looking that I melted. I have an old treadle 15 (no reverse) and a 15 with a belt and motor that is still not running because it was shipped with a new cord not attached properly to the terminal. I don't do electrical and my husband has had no time to look at it. This one was just so, so lovely and shiny, all ready to as they say, plug and play. I usually piece on one of my 301s, but wanted something a little stronger because I would like to sew some bags as well as own one real spiffy black Singer. My mailman was a bit skeptical about bringing it to the door, but he relented gratefully instead of making me go to the PO and lug it from there to my car. 
   It was packed great, nothing moved inside. The seller took every precaution to wrap everything separately and wisely. I tried it out and it sews great. I will have to tweak the tension a little bit, but that is all. All cleaned, oiled, shined, new wiring. Wow. Don't ask what I paid. It is worth it to have such a machine. I love to clean machines, but there is something grand about a new one showing up like this.

Box in terrific shape, way to go USPS!

Flaps open to styro

Next, an ocean of peanuts

Yes, there is a machine in there

In its cocoon, ready to emerge

Yes! as shiny as the ebay photo!