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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/30/2004 : 21:04:46

There has been some discussion of sewing projects and the machines that were used.
Some have advocated [url="http://www.sailrite.com/"]Sailrite [/url] machines but they are pricey.
I went to the [url="http://www.singerco.com/products/"] Singer products page [/url] and looked under “Factory Refurbished Machines” and there are machines for 1 to 1-1/2 boat units.
I’d like to hear about sewing projects that used [url="http://www.sunbrella.com/usa/"] Sunbrella[/url] and the machines you used to sew it with.
If you know anything about sewing machines could you look at the Singer refurbished machines and make a recommendation? Or if you use another machine could tell me which one and what to look for in a machine?
TIA

Underlined words are a HOT link.

"Peregrine" C25-#4762 FK

Edited by - on

dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2004 : 21:36:26

I recently made some sail bags, and a furler cover with sunbrella. I used my old Kenmore sewing machine, with a heavy duty needle. Upholstery or levi would work. I also bought sunbrella thread. You'll have to play with the tension on the machine, and not go to thick. Only industrial machines will go thru alot of thickness. 3 layers is really pushing it.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2004 : 21:59:09

The ol' Kenmore went through four layers of Sunbrella....key is the needles. New (sharp) and the right size...ask the folks at sailrite.com

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

"Hindsight is 20/20, if I knew then what I know now, I would now be living on a small wooden sailboat, making a few bucks here and there playing a guitar and singing songs in bars."

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2004 : 22:38:40

John G-<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Or if you use another machine could tell me which one and what to look for in a machine?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I use a truly ancient pastel green Brother "Project" model that I found at a garage sale in like-new condition with accessories and manuals for maybe $75-$100 including wooden cabinet (a mere boatbuck, cheaper than walking in and out of a West Marine). It is all metal (and I don't mean "pot metal") and has an external motor. The motor stalls or the belt slips at about 6 layers of Sunbrella. I've hand-forced the flywheel to sew through up to maybe 9 layers of Sunbrella (at corners).

That also summarizes what to look for in a used machine.<ul>
<li>All metal construction, especially the drive mechanism.</li>
<li>External motor (easier to replace with a more powerful one when you smoke it).</li>
<li>No new fangled fancy electronics (mine uses cams for embroidery stiching).</li>
<li>Reverse and zig-zag are important features</li>
<li>Under-arm, or throat, clearance is golden when working on large projects.</li>
<li>Recognizable brand name, in case you ever need parts or service.</li>
<li>"Walking foot" feature is very cool if you can find it.</li>
</ul>Don Casey wrote a great beginner's book on boat sewing. It's so easy, you'll be laughing as you knock out your first simple project.

-- Leon Sisson

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bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2004 : 23:12:06

Not that this is really what you're looking for, however, my wife has a 'mega-boat-unit' Bernina (she does lots of quilting, embroidery, etc.). It's the Hinckley or Swan of sewing machines; the finesse of a Porsche and the brute strength of a Peterbuilt.

The only reason I mention this is the timing. Last weekend while my son and I were working on his sailing dinghy she calmly came into the garage and asked me to help her take apart her part of her machine to look for the end of a broken needle. It seems she accidentally sewed through the fingernail of her middle finger, jerked her hand away and broke the needle. It went clean through her finger and out the other side. We couldn't find it in the machine so off to the emergency room we went.

Sure enough, the X-ray showed it stuck in the bone under the nail. Surprisingly, a little inscision, some sharp forceps and a good tug or two and out it popped!

Sorry, I know this isn't helpful to your question. . . except to watch your digits whenever you do get a machine!!

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 00:12:09

We picked up an Pfaff 130 on ebay for cheap a couple of years ago...spent another $80 at the Pfaff dealer in Spokane getting it tuned up and a hand crank attachment put on so can use it with or without electricity. A nice well build zig-zag capable machine.

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 00:41:42

The Pfaff 130 is one of the best little machines ever built. Highly sought after machine. In fact, I'd have to say the entire Pfaff line is probably the best. Tha rotary hook and walking foot make for an excellent heavy duty machine. The old tan Kenmores are very cheap and pretty tough machines. A great machine for the kind of work going on here is the Thompson Mini walker. It's a light industrial machine that the Sailrite is based on.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 01:10:42

We just have a regular old machine and its sewed everything. I put the heavy duty foot on and bought heavy duty needles at Jo Ann Fabric. I've sewed marine vinyl, isinglass, sunbrella, I made new cushions out of 8 oz denim. I used nylon thread. Change needles often.

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 01:56:43

We have a Pfaff Hobbymatic 917 that was our first purchase as newlyweds 16 years ago. My wife used it for all kinds of boat projects even replacing the hiking straps in the trampoline of our Hobie. It worked for her fine.
Then we bought the big boat and it needed new upholstry. After 15 years she is on to my methods. "Honey I NEED this tool to do that job you want me to do." She got a sailrite machine with a walking foot etc. She LOVES it for heavy work. It also has a bigger throat. Since our initial purchase she has added a task light and a heavy flywheel is on her list. The sailrite folks have been great to work with, talking her through adjustments over the phone.

If you only have one small project to do any good machine is fine, If you have a lot to do I would say you will be happier with a more powerful machine with a walking foot.

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 17:33:03

I found an old "White" machine in the sewing machine shop next to the quilting shop my wife frequents. All iron construction. I sewed through Sunbrella and window material while making the dodger windows for my bimini. Cost me $65 and the guy through in a walking foot, which you will need for sewing heavy material. He gave me some helpful hints. The best was to make as long a stitch as possible otherwise too many holes in the Sunbrella will weaken the the job. My wife's Pfaff is a place of high worship, I am far too humble a being to approach unless the High Priestess is present.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 18:59:15

Ge Ed I was hesitating to mention my White treadle machine and then there you are with a White as well. I just look at mine, never sewed with it. All mahogany and rosewood burl construction, ebony draw pulls with cast brass rosets. Afraid the leather belt would break. Where in heck can you get parts for a White? My machine is circa 1858 close as I could tell when researching it in the library.
What can you tell me about your machine.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2004 : 19:46:20

I have an old Singer that belonged to my Mom ... she used it to sew clothes. I have used it to sew curtains for my boat, and I have also used it on one non-boat Sunbrella project ... so far, so good.

I'm wondering though ... what is this "walking foot" that y'all are talking about? Is it something I can add to my old machine?

Thanks!

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2004 : 15:39:16

OK Val, Your machine sounds like a piece of art. Mine is probably 100 years newer. It looks like you have quite the collector's item.

The walking foot is an attachment to the needle mechanizim (sp?) that pulls the material through the machine. It looks like it is "walking" as it pulls, then lifts up, moves back, lowers and then pulls again. It helps keep an even stitch. I believe that you can purchase this as an add-on attachment from any sewing machine shop. Take your machine in and let them look at it to determine what you need. I don't think it should cost more then $20.

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2004 : 17:05:28

Hey Bren,
I'm impervious to pain...
as long as it is somebody else's!

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Daniel
1st Mate

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78 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2004 : 18:05:22

My first sewing project was a new sailcover with a Singer 66-16 (1953) that works like new after minor cleaning and adjustment. Got it for $0 since it was being discarded. Went thru 4 Sunbrella layers easily using new Sailrite needles. Came out surprisingly well - used the old one for a template and made a few improvements. Doesn't do any real fancy stitches, no zigzag e.g., but good for the basics.

There are lots of these old Singers on the market (some newer Chinese copies appearing too, not as good). The dealer told me mine would work fine and would be perfect for the job. He was right.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2004 : 16:39:28

The walking foot is an attachment to the needle mechanizim (sp?) that pulls the material through the machine. It looks like it is "walking" as it pulls, then lifts up, moves back, lowers and then pulls again. It helps keep an even stitch. - Ed

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the explanation ... my Mom's old Singer has one of those, and it does help keep the fabric moving at an even rate.

My old Singer is a cabinet model. Frankly, I like having the fold-out table for support, but there are times when I wish I didn't have that table surface in the way. It doesn't look like this machine is made to work outside its cabinet, so, unless someone knows a different way to use this type machine, I guess I'm stuck with it.

Also, I broke a needle while working on a Sunbrella project ... I bought a heavy duty needle at Wal-Mart, and it has held up fine so far. I didn't think about getting needles from SailRite ... that is a good idea ... I order all my thread from them already.

Thanks for the help!

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2004 : 12:48:34

The "walking foot" is also called an "upper feed dog attachment", I think. In case you're having trouble finding one. Makes all the difference in the world for going though many layers.

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2004 : 13:31:45

Last year I made new Sunbrella covers for the main sail and a sock for the new 150 roller furler. Half way through the project we had to stop because our machine (sews heavy denims) decided to quit. So I got interested in sewing machines. The fellows at the school upholstery shop were nice enough to explain what they liked and why. They mostly use Pfaff machines and where real big on walking feet and reverse options. Great if you can get zig zag too. In looking on E-Bay, the price range was between 4-6 boat units. I found an industrial Morse with all the features I wanted and bought it for less than the Pfaff. So far it is impressive. I have since made an anchor riding sail, a bug screen for the companionway and a sock for the anchor rode. My son introduced me to a local saddle maker yesterday. He’s got a German built sewing machine that retails for $5400. This thing is amazing. Todd Frye

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2004 : 00:06:36

I bought used sail rite. It was used very little. I got all of the accesories (ALL) and the price was $600 you cant beat that. Presently working on a dodger.

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2004 : 10:16:24

Ugh Bren your poor wife.....ugh the coffee I'm drinking almost just came up....

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2004 : 11:48:40

On a side note concerning the price of heavy-duty machines and the actual amount of use they'd get over the course of time: I'm working on talking my sailing club into buying one. Then all the members could take turns "checking it out" for their projects.

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2004 : 18:46:03

Maybe this should be another topic, but what are y'alls (should that be plural, all y'alls?) opinion on the best source for Sunbrella material? Thanks.

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2004 : 15:46:38

Sunbrella material - check Ebay auctions. I won an auction on 10 yds of the pacific blue material for much lower than the discount retail price.

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