Can You Just Sew With 1 Needle In A Twin Needle Machine?

[Shed Tinkerer]

*Warning: Newbie Alert*

This might be an incredibly daft question but I just can't seem to find the answer on google or forums.

The thing is....I'm looking to buy my first machine to do car upholstery (marine grade vinyl, thick canvas pickup truck covers, maybe leather later on). So I've decided that a walking foot sewing machine with reverse and (maybe) variable stitch length is the way forward. I want to buy a quality machine that will last me for ages. It's just a hobby for me so don't want to break the bank....not in a hurry either....I'll keep my eyes on eBay and other sites till a good bargain pops up.

I've spotted a Singer 212G140 with a low starting bid which is a walking foot machine as far as I can tell....but it is a twin needle machine with about 6-7 mm (1/4") gap between the needles.

Can I just use it as a straight stitcher with one needle and pop a second one in when needed (would be rare for me I guess) or am I suggesting ridiculous things and just look for a completly different machine.

Thanks for the feedback people...I'm loving the steep learning curve!!

Cheers

Shed Tinkerer

[gottaknow]

The 212G140 is a double needle compound feed. It doesn't have a walking foot. The 211G is the single needle version. So much so that many of the parts are interchangeable. The earlier series (I have one of each) 111 and 112 are black from the 50's.

The machine feeds decent with the compound feed, but you'll want a walking foot for upholstery. You can certainly use the machine for a single needle, use the right needle because using left twist thread is the most common. The hook on the left actually untwists the thread a bit. The gauge sets are still available, I use them from 3/16 to 1 1/4".

Regards, Eric

[Andrew Chee]

Bear in mind that if what you want primarily is a single needle machine then go buy a single needle machine. While a double needle machine can sew a single stitch by just removing one of the needles, it will not do things as well as a single needle machine. The feet you can get will be limited, you might find that some of the tighter spaces you want to sew will be more difficult because of the wider feet. Double needle machines are made for a very specific purpose and you'll find that although it can do single needle work, it will not do it as well as an actual single needle machine.

Andrew

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

When it comes down to commercial work it is always best to spend the money and buy specific machines for each process if you want the best results.

[Shed Tinkerer]

Thanks people....I will keep looking then.

I really appreciate your help in educating me about sewing machines....this forum is SO interesting and helpfull!!

Cheers

Shed Tinkerer