Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sewing and machine

Automatic sewing machine - I provide the design, the machine does the rest!

WhereAmI — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:04:48 -0800

Do programmable sewing machines exist? I want to be able to provide the sewing machine with a design or logo and have it sew it for me - in this case, a nice little dog to go on the breast pocket of a golf shirt. Surely something like this exists for a reasonable price? I'm thinking that a sewing machine exists that can take an image/cad file/etc. from a computer and then I just secure the material within the sewing machine's needle range, hit start and off it goes (think CNC machine or laser etching, except with needle/thread).

Can Nylon/Plastic gears be recut in steel?

Tchad — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:46:03 -0800

Sewing Gear Filter: I have a number of sewing machines that have nylon or plastic composite gears that have broken. Some of them I can have replaced, some of them are no longer made. I am wondering about DIY bionic sewing machine parts. My machines have gears similar to these. Some of them are beveled drive gears as well.

I have some access to machine shop equipment and think I could probably make the gears myself with a little patience and a couple of books, but was wondering:

If the gears were originally nylon or plastic are there reasons that go beyond cost, noise, maintenance, and weight? As far as I know it is just a function of them being cheaper to manufacture, quieter in general, and requiring less lubrication.

If I grind or cast the same shape gear out of steel am I going to ruin the other components? It doesn't seem like I would, but I thought maybe they made the gears more flexible/fragile so that they break before bending other parts.

Are there any book or tips you know of for this kind of thing? They need not be specifically sewing related, but not having a degree or experience in engineering they need to be approachable.

I have tried to get answers from antique car repair shops, but none of them want to take on small work like this. I have tried google and dealerships, but most of the information seems to be proprietary - which is fine but a few of the pieces are so old that they are no longer manufactured.

Thoughts or ideas? These machines are so good I am willing to put work or money into them.

Sewing Machine upgrade worth it?

GardenGal — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:28:45 -0800

"Gift" of a sewing machine upgrade - do I want it? My husband wants to get me a new sewing machine for my birthday. I think $1000 is not out of his price range.

I've been using a Kenmore Mini Ultra for several years now, and it's been pretty good to me. It seems to do the basics - regular flat cotton and slightly thicker fabrics - just fine. It has three stitch lengths, a zigzag, a buttonholer and a hem stitch that works only ok (or maybe I'm just not good at it). With only one tuneup, it's been very reliable.

However, we now have a baby and I've been trying to sew her a lot of clothes, and discovering some limitations. Cotton jersey - essential for onesies and shirts - is giving me problems. And I'm thinking little chiffon skirts for future fairy costumes will be a downright PITA. I'd like to sew all our jeans too, but I'm not 100% sure this machine will do the thick layers of denim gracefully.

I'm pretty darn frugal, so it's hard for me to justify spending all that money (it's my money too) when I have something that already works okay. What can you tell me about the more expensive machines? What do they provide - besides fancy embroidery patterns that I don't need - that could justify the cost? What do you get for all that money?

And yes I've read all the threads on which sewing machine to pick, but if any of you wanted to mention your favorites here too, I'm listening. :)

I want a MANLY sewing machine!

SpecialK — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:44:58 -0800

Heavy duty sewing machines? What do I need? I have a few things that I need to fix around the house after my dog ate them, and the plastic cheap-feeling sewing machine that I have access to (borrowed from neighbor) doesn't seem to have enough umph to do it. I also want to make my own UtiliKilt and I'd like to make and/or customize some bags for my camera and computer gear. If the only sewing machine I have access too won't do three layers of upholstery fabric without getting kinda warm and melty-smelling, I don't think it's going to handle four layers of 1550 Ballistic Nylon and padding...

Although I'm mostly a manly man, I'm not a sewing machine neophyte. I made my first few sewing projects in middle school and have since made a few small things like beds for my dogs and to do simple clothing and motorcycle luggage repair. The motorcycle luggage is where I found out about the accidentally-partially-melting-plastic-parts when sewing heavy nylon using my neighbor's machine... and now I have two futon covers, several pillows or pillow cases, a robe, and now some of these other projects that I want to try out, and they're ALL heavy and/or thick fabrics.

MetaMind, what do I need to sew heavy duty fabrics? I know that my mom does some of this kind of stuff and has a sewing machine and serger, but she even shrugged when I asked her about heavy duty nylon and padding... and her machines cost thousands of dollars, because my dad refuses to buy cheap tools.

I'm not going to be doing a ton of this stuff so I don't need an industrial machine with a thirty year lifespan, but I figure that getting a machine that will handle the weights of the fabrics that I'm going to need to work with is worth spending the money... keeping in mind that I live on a state employee budget. If only I could figure out what that was, and what I need to look for in the machines to know if it'll do what I want...

Do I need a serger? What is the difference between it and a normal sewing machine? How do I tell how heavy of a material can be sewn with a machine, or how thick the material can be (i.e. layers of fabric + padding)? What features do I need for basic, occasional but heavy use -- I don't need an auto-embroidery library or some of the electronic stitch selection tools that some of the high end machines have. And please, share your wisdom. I'm new to this and it's not really a man's world... give me a two-stroke or four-stroke engine and I'll have it in parts inside of a half hour, but I'm kinda lost here.

Can anyone recommend a good home serger?

pantufla — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:59:03 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good home serger? A few desired features: coverstitch, rolled hem, 4 thread. Thanks!

Good lubricant for a squeaky printer?

ssnickerer — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:29:39 -0800

I have a really squeaky printer. I tried WD-40, but the squeakiness comes back. One of my engineering friends suggested that I needed something similar to sewing machine oil, but perhaps a little thicker, since the gears are plastic. Any ideas on what kind of lubricant I should get? And where I could get it? Aside from the squeakiness, this REALLY is a good printer (Canon MP130), and I really don't want to get another one.

Needled by my sewing machine

Smalltown Girl — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:55:42 -0800

Can any sewing people answer this: How can I "recycle" sewing machine needles? It irritates me that after I've sewn some clothes or worked on a quilt, I have to toss the needles or my machine will get all huffy and start bollixing the thread -- especially the bobbin side. Can machine needles be resharpened or used for something else? I live in a small Texas town and it costs a lot (gas prices, you know) to travel over 100 miles to the nearest city to buy a new supply of sewing machine needles. Thanx.

Can you help me choose a sewing machine for my husband?

katkel — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:22:17 -0800

Can you help me choose a sewing machine for my husband? My husband is trying to start a puppet company, up until now he has been hand sewing everything, which not only takes him forever but also hurts his fingers, so I was hoping to buy him a sewing machine for his birthday. He’s mentioned that he wants one, but I want to surprise him. He sews a lot of heavy fabrics and furry fabrics and I am note sure what kind to look into. I was hoping to get one for less then $400. Please help.

Sewing Machine Recommendations

gaby — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 02:29:43 -0800

I've been very kindly offered a new sewing machine of my choice as a belated birthday present but I've no idea what machines (new or old) are any good these days. I'd like a machine that's reliable, has the usual stitches (straight, zig-zag, reverse, etc) and a foot pedal to operate. I'm looking around the £100-150 mark here in the UK, and I'm not averse to buying second hand or off eBay if the machine is recommended. An overlocker is probably a bit over the top for my needs, so just a standard sewing machine.

I've seen some crazy USB machines that you can program with embroidery patterns. Whilst that would be pretty sweet to have, I'm not too fussed about a bajillion features.

In terms of projects I'm looking to make curtains, and some fabric cases for some delicate items of technology.

208y power, does it suck?

Jawn — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 18:55:58 -0800

What are the characteristics and drawbacks of 208Y power? Specifically will it run my industrial sewing machines that want 220v? I am in the process of converting an old beer warehouse into a live/work space where the work I will be doing is clothes manufacturing. We were originally told that our power was to be 60 amps of three phase 220 power. It now seems that it is 60 amps of 208Y power. I have heard conflicting views on whether it's better or worse than 220, but what I'm worried about is whether it will run several industrial sewing machines and irons or not.

If the machines call for 220v will they run at 208? I have heard they will, but they will run slower, is this true/will it harm the motors?

I don't know the amperage draw for these machines, but I do know a 1700 watt iron pulls about 15. I'm trying to upgrade to at least 100 amps and preferably 125. Will this be enough?

How to keep a sewing machine quiet?

pantufla — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 21:01:58 -0800

How can I prevent the vibrations and noise from my Juki DDL-8700 sewing machine from bothering my downstairs neighbors? I bought this machine to do school work in my apartment's living room at night. Unfortunately, from the start, the vibrations from the sewing machine have bothered my downstairs neighbors, who unfortunately are now sleeping in their living room, directly beneath ours, since a sick family member has moved into their bedroom. I bought a thick rubber pad from the sewing machine retailer and placed it under the machine, and I've also bought blocks to place under the four legs that support the machine and its table. Sadly, the noise/vibrations from the machine are still bothering the neighbors. I was wondering if anyone had sound/vibration proofing tips specific to sewing machines or other heavy appliances that may not make a lot of audible noise, but which emit bothersome vibrations. Thanks!

Industrial Sewing Machines

machaus — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 06:45:08 -0800

Best of breed industrial sewing machine? I want to buy a used, heavy duty sewing machine that can sew thick pieces of leather. Anyone know what old brand I should look for that is indestructible and still has parts available? Kind of like how when you look for a metal lathe, you think South Bend, or Bridgeport for a milling machine. World War 2 era stuff that will never die.

Sewingfilter: loops on bottom of fabric

kc0dxh — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:42:50 -0800

When using my sewing machine, large loops and tangles of thread are generated on the bottom side of the fabric. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to do to remedy the problem?

Instructions for Singer sewing machine 328K

sconbie — Sun, 27 Mar 2005 03:45:09 -0800

Does anyone know how to wind the bobbin on a Singer 328K sewing machine? Can anyone give me simple instructions please? This model was made in the UK between 1963-65 and the instruction manual is long gone. I have tried Singer's website but can't find instructions for this model. A pdf version of the instructions would be great.