DoubleC

LOL, Wiz I didn't think you were. No worries, ok? Cheryl

I just saw this, sorry. I am refurbishing this one, but it doesn't need a new motor, runs like a clock. But I'm glad I grounded myself before I tried that considering the shape the wiring was in simply from age. But total I have $72.00 in the machine, cabinet and stuff I ordered for it so I don't think I'll consider it a waste of money. And the only way I'm going to get up to 1/4th of leather would be if I happen to flip something and sew across to hold a buckle or something. You told me about the Teflon foot for my 185J and I still have that saved in my watch list on eBay so if I see this might need something extra, I'll get one. I don't usually sew 'sticky stuff?' It's in great shape for it's age, someone took very good care of the MACHINE. There isn't a millimeter of decal loss that I can find, and like I said, everything was easy to take apart because of it being so well oiled and greased. The cabinet? I don't think they gave a hoot about, but neither do I really as long as it holds the machine. Well actually the cabinet doesn't have any veneer loss which is always the first thing to go, just bumps and nicks you'd expect from something made in the 30s. And it needs a good cleaning. On my income you wouldn't consider one run by squirrels a waste of money :-) Cheryl

Thanks Bob, I'll order some then. Cheryl

When you said I could put '69' in it and do my leather sewing, did you mean the thread? 'cause when I got the 185J I went to Joann's and was told to try and get denim thread if I could or if not, then get machine quilting thread. And they sure don't carry anything heavy enough for any leather work there. had two colors of denim, and the quilting thread breaks every time I turn around. Is that something you folks sell, or who does sell a heavier thread? Thanks, Cheryl

OK, now do I feel dinky. No miniature. No littler than that :-) Beautiful setup. Right now I'm agonizing over buying a TV tray to go with my lap desk to the farmer's market after Mother's day. Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to it. I just became officially a business here in VT. in March, and I haven't done any selling yet locally. I have brochures, business cards, etc. though made up. Cheryl

I know Bob. I'm so excited about it. I didn't even know what kind it was when i bid, but started online research. When I figured out it was a 15-91 I was sure i really wasn't getting it. But I did, it, cabinet all shipped for $54.00. and it's really in good shape. I broke it down and the worm gear isn't all clogged and gunky. It's just old and the wiring needed replaced, and well I am going to clean and regrease everything while it's apart. I want this to last longer than I do. But the cord is really in good shape. OK, 54 in the machine and $18.00 today for grease, bobbin cover, bobbin holder, two kinds of wire, and a grease can. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything. But thank you for saying so. It's nice to have someone like you that makes their living from sewing machines validate all the info I could find on the net. Cheryl

Sylvia if you knew the paperwork, and research, and more paperwork I've done. No sales calls yet, but I just met with George yesterday, and he is getting Voc involved now, and it seems I can get a daily stipend while a friend of his teaches me. Also may lead to contract work for his friend, but basically we're looking to her as a mentor. She's a ,local business person. I am researching my 'market' and costs per mare stare for BROC who is helping me make up a professional business plan also for VOC for the grant. I have so many people helping me they're gonna have to start wearing name tags, LOL. but I am in agreement with everything that's being done because I'm in this for the long haul, and not wanting to switch careers to sewing machines :-) Good seeing you.

This obsession started when I bought the Green Goddess, the 185J with everything original, green everything, belt, winder foot pedal, case. It was love at first sight, not so much at first touch. I don't know how to sew and I was afraid of messing it up. So I went searching for another vintage or antique machine I couldn't hurt. I found a great 128 vibrating shuttle. But man that machine was so nice. So off it went to a friend so I didn't mess it up. Then I found Rusty, the sphinx 27 treadle machine. Finally something even I couldn't hurt. Actually I wasn't sure there was a machine head under the rust. It cleaned up so well and had everything original rusted to and in it. I took it apart, cleaned and oiled it and put it back together in two days. Of course then there were the two 99s, too good a deal to turn down. And then I found it....the 15-91 in a cabinet and I kept thinking I had to be confused because I was getting the whole tamale shipping and all for 54.00. But they didn't know it was a 15-91 or even what a 15-91 was. neither did I until researched it. Of course it suddenly dawned on me I was beyond broke:-) But i did some selling and horse trading, and I'm going to survive. The Goddess is on eBay, so is Rusty with all the treadle parts I got, and now a 99. But I raised Rusty up so high no one would buy him. You take a machine apart and totally service it, you know what you have. Now I'll hear these aren't really leather machines. and I thought, yes, I'm sure in 1887 if something broke in the stable, they ran it down to someone with an adler or juki, LOL. Maybe a cobra 1/2. I kinda think that part was brought in the house and sewn right up on a treadle. So I have rehabbed 3 so far, and working on the 15-91 right now. I have two really for sale on eBay and a third going on tomorrow. I have the 15-91 torn apart and wire, grease, etc. ordered. I think I could have missed my calling. I plugged the 15-91 in and tried it (said it worked) with sneaks on so I'd be grounded. Man the chatter of that potted motor was like an odd type of music. I have two more I'm just going to sell for parts, and two huge lots of parts I'm putting up too, 27s and 99s. So I'm going to have two, a treadle and a cabinet model 15-91. I also have someone here that's going to teach me a few more skills besides speed rehabbing :-) Minor things like sewing. It was a wild ride, but it was fun and i don't think I'll ever be afraid of a sewing machine again.

I decided to sell this one in the treadle table I put together (and disassembled for shipping today) so if you're interested PM me and I'll pull it from eBay. I forgot to put it here first, sorry. Cheryl

I finished this one up this morning and started on the parts for the next one. I took everything of this I could, cleaned it, oiled the head singers instructions, and let it sit overnight (I can't seem to get 1 drop down pat yet). Then I cleaned it all off, replaced all the parts and it's squeaky clean and ready to sew another 100 years. It is a treadle but I have a beehive case coming that's in excellent condition if you want to use a hand crank instead. If you're interested in this and the case, please PM me. When the case comes, it goes on eBay if I haven't heard anything. It will come with everything but the bullet bobbin holder and bobbins because I only have one right now, and it's the only way I can check and make sure they sew. Thanks, Cheryl

I have several Singers i bought to rehab and although I listed one on eBay already (bought it already perfect) and will list them on my blog here if you want. Have a 27 from 1800s I just finished that I'm putting in a beehive bentwood. Have a 15, another 27 and two 99s coming. 15 is in a cabinet. Others will be in something, LOL. I will post the pictures on my blog later as I get them don and post blog addy here. I have this 185J with original everything on eBay right now. If interested, let me know before I get a bid and I'll pull it. Thanks, Cheryl http://www.ebay.com/itm/251036933575?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_1055wt_1139

If i was going to do it Lori, I would PANT them the color you want mixing cova paints and dyes, or water based. I thought you just wanted to dip them in something. I would use a saddle tan dye mixed with just a smidge brown acrylic paint to darken it and thicken it so you can manage it. Mix it where you think it's the right color then do an easy place you can keep redoing until you get the color you want. will probably take at least two coats. If I can help, let me know or ask some others here too. Cheryl

Hi Lori. I tell you I dye and paint and color in some way about everything but my dog, but if those reins were mine, I'd sell them and get the color I wanted. I bought a new black tack set online and when I got it some of the natural tan was showing through. I worked on that for two weeks trying to get it black before I finally painted it black. Already finished leather is hard to work with, and what are you going to do with your ferrules? I mean you can polish them afterward but dye will get underneath them, possibly stay wet. It could be done but it's going to take a lot of work. Cheryl

Oh just that? LOL. I do that all the way through to temper the effects of the euphoria of creating. Cheryl

Spinner, I am so sorry. I read she was having surgery and thought about you. I know all of this is nothing but hollow blather but I wish I could say something to make it better. I think the people who posted really feel your pain and have all been there. Take care, Cheryl

LOL, we're off in two different directions. I meant you response to the other poster (slow waking up today, forgot already) and you thought I meant your original post. I never thought your original post was sarcasm which is why I answered the way I did because I DO feel that way, and get that same antsy feeling at times. When I'm 'creating' (even if others don't think it's all that :-) I am intense and focused and don't like interruptions. I live alone so that's not usually a problem, but I've cancelled going places, and dr. appts to keep working. There's something about the process that feels almost like a drug. And for some reason it doesn't walk out the door with you away from that process. I can't explain it any better, it's coming out blather but I know what you mean Andy. Cheryl

OK, I missed the joke, stayed up late last night doing....what else? leather. My neverending checkbook cover. I wonder if it's neverending because i don't want it done :-)

Andy I don't think that's crazy. I feel that way sometimes, especially since it usually takes me 14 years to finish one :-) I make mistakes, have to redesign around them, change my mind, lots of things. Most of my stuff is freehand, so it's very easy to make a mistake but also to make it look like it's supposed to be that way. I am a little sad sometimes when I'm finished. Cheryl

I decided on carefully handled tack pullers not braced against the leather. Didn't hurt the leather but the rivets went flying no where to be found (except with bare feet).I figured small drill hole, power tool and me? Uh, not so much, LOL.

Thanks CTG. I will do that. I'm such a dip sometimes...measure twice, cut once, measure twice RIVET once. Cheryl

Can I jump in here and ask....do any of you know how to UNRIVET? I'm working on a checkbook/ID cover, and rivited some suede that was to hold my checkbook and now it won't fit :-(

I'm working on a billfold for me per KK too right this second, but you sure wouldn't know it, Cheryl

My first day here I think I said I was a leatherworker. I need to find that post and delete it, LOL. You probably know Spinner I've focused a lot of work on horse eye pendants, and I still have the first 4 eyes I tried to draw freehand. I intend to keep them. I swear the first one looked like a deformed microbe. You're first experience carving and tooling went way better than mine, I don't even want to talk about it. Since those are 'products' mI still try and get some carving and beveling practice in every week, and I'm STILL working on a billfold for me that I did the freehand drawing (Nice) on, then just beveled it (not so much nice). I tried to hide some of it with the finish I did on it and the rest I'm ok with people seeing. Actually what WE see now I'm not sure others do but it's not really about that is it? Cheryl

Very cool Chancey, c