suzelle

Thanks Bob! Good to know! Okay, perhaps not a good idea? Bob, do you have some information on where a twin needle or double needle could be found for the Singer 20U machines? Mine is a Singer 20U-33, made in Japan. I'm not sure what year, but probably late 1980's, or early 90's (?). If you have part numbers, that would be great. Thanks ahead!

Hi Glenn, Thanks for your comment. I am using the original clutch motor that came with the machine. I just set it up with a household motor temporarily so I could make it portable when needed. I move my machines around in whatever tables or portable boxes I can get them into if I need to travel with a machine. You are right, domestic motor isn't good for daily use, but sometimes it's the answer to get a job done.

Keri, yeah I was also hopeful (again) about the twin needle or double needle idea after I was reading your posts. I was thinking perhaps that "want" would get answered at last. But not yet, the search continues!!! I sure hope that the domestic twin needle works on yours! Even though I'm certain what needles my machine takes, I don't think I'd ever tried a Domestic or flat shank in it. I just assumed that everything should be a round shank, but now I'm going to experiment! Hey, if it goes into the slot, why not? I won't be dragging the machine out again for a while as I'm in the middle of some Auto Upholstery jobs and some Embroidery work too, but will get back to my Singer 20U in the near future, hopefully! Thanks for the thoughts and ideas!

Northmount, I love the look of the Blue ones the best! I always dreamed of getting a Singer 20U, mainly for the wider zig zag feature I'd heard that it had. However, when I was ready to buy, Blue didn't pop up, I got a brown one. But hey, I'm good with it now, she sews a beautiful stitch so I cannot complain. I like that you found a way to get your Blue Girl in the house, good job!!! You got your Wife's approval!!! LOL.

Keri, looking forward to hearing what you find out about your results! I hope you are able to work something out for a "twin needle" setup on your Singer 20U. I'm still curious exactly which version you have of the Singer 20U, also if you have a flat sided shaft or a round shaft on your needles? Good luck in your search!

Keri, I just went to check my machine and let Northmount know that my machine does indeed take Industrial needles, round shank. It does not take flat shank /Domestic or Home machine needles. I'm not sure what exact version of the Singer 20U it is that you have. The model that I own is the Singer 20U33. Oh, and I wanted to let you know about the double needle thing you asked me about... Remembering now what went on with that. I actually was not able to find the part (like you) to hold two needles. I have to explore more in that area but haven't done too much with the machine in a creative way. I've used it more for utilitarian type jobs like fixing tarps and tents. One day though, I plan to do more with it! Good luck with yours! Hope that helped a little.

Hello Northmount, Okay, these posts made me pull my Singer 20U33 out to be sure it was an Industrial needle machine, it is. It's a round shank needle, not a flat shank like a Domestic would be. Going back through the manual too, I have the correct needle in it. LOL. This is an Artisan machine, and I once had another Artisan machine (Consew 217- which is like the Bernina 217) and that machine took same needle as my Singer 20U33. You will notice on the photos of my machine that I posted a few years ago that the front of the machine has a graphic that shows the type of needle it takes, which is "CAT 1910. You will also find in the manual for the Singer 20U33 that the needle system is also referred to as "SY 1955" which is an Industrial needle. Needles can be confusing, even for me who has many needles and many machines. So I am thinking that perhaps some of the CLONE machines of the Singer 20U take different needles??? Could be what leads to some of the confusion. I once had a Pfaff 138 machine that had been set up for a Domestic style needle for a Home machine, even though the manual I had for it showed an Industrial needle.

HI Keri! Sorry I just saw your post. No I haven't set it up to use twin needles. I'm glad you found a 20U, they are nice machines. Mine has not been getting used much, as I have been working on Auto Interiors mostly. I'd like to get back to using the 20U though as I have some creative projects I'd love to do for myself. Looks like "Northmount" answered your questions though, thanks Northmount! Good luck Keri with your new Singer 20U!!! I'll post here again when I get back to using mine!

https://www.techsew.com/en/techsew-5100-4100-shuttle-hook.html I'm sure Techsew will want to take care of that for you very soon. At least I hope they will. You probably found the part already, but here's the link to what I found on their site. Techsew was one of the machines I was considering when I get a cylinder arm. I'm wondering now what the material is they make that hook out of and where it's manufactured. Also wondering what your options are for quality. Can another brand be purchased like Cerliani??? Just a thought.

Gold Star has a shank adapter, not sure if it would fit your press. Perhaps give them a call? Looks like yours is missing the shank and I know you are not asking about dies, but they have a good selection of those too. https://www.goldstartool.com/shank-adapter-3-8-inch-for-heavy-duty-hand-press.htm

Yes, a beauty indeed!

Wiz, I'm interested in knowing what machine this is (?). I read through the machines you have listed that you own and did not find one with those features. I'd like to know as I'm considering another machine myself with these capabilities - something that does well sewing caps, hats, bags. Thanks ahead!

Hi Newbie & Welcome! I was going to try to dig mine up for you, but went back to messasge I posted and then read what Handstitched posted, that manual does work. I have same machine. Good luck!

Welcome and Congratulations on purchasing your new Techsew!

Hello Rask, Welcome from me too! Yep you got questions! LOL Wow, you sound pretty serious about the work of Auto Interiors. I just got into it fully myself, I'm not quite full time and working for a friend right now. Lots of vinyl, a little tiny bit of leather now but I'm going to move into some more leather after some time. I've been collecting machines for many years, but now focusing on the machines that are specifically for vinyl and leather. Yesterday, I bought all the roll ends of vinyl my friend does not have room for, so I have lots of practice materials now. What have I done? I have to unload my car. LOL! I've posted some of my work but really should post more, as I'm turning out several Customer's jobs each week. I take the "before" shots and forget to do the "after" shots of my work. I must be better at that! Anyhow, when I have more time this weekend, I'll read the entire thread and all of your posts. Looking forward to whatever you write. Wishing you lots of success!

Stewart, I'm really looking forward to seeing what that looks like! You are so great to post your work, I haven't shown much of my own work. So I admire you for doing that! I did post some pics of my Auto Upholstery work, seems that is all I am doing lately. But I've been gathering the supplies to do some more leather work. It takes a while, the tools cost money. LOL! I really like your hand tooling work, seems you have a lots of experience in that area, so I like to see what you make.

So so pretty!

Oh good, just an idea. I love chasing colors too!Sometimes I get it right on the first try. But sometimes there is a masterpiece when you take it even further, past the point where you think you have ruined it! LOL.That is the fun of it. I love your work.

Wow! Gorgeous work!

Stewart, here's another idea... You mentioned the background looks like little islands... So how about just going with that and turn those island looking things into rocks? Maybe some various shades of gray, then add some little sprigs of wild flowers growing around the rocks? I've seen lots of scenes like this out in the wilderness while driving along the roads in Montana. You might see straw hat flowers and rocks, and some pops of other colors. Again, just an idea to hopefully inspire you. Look up wild flowers of Montana, or whatever area you choose.

Stewart, I'm looking at the re-do, thinking about colors. You were saying you wanted it to look more like a garden in the background, not like little Islands. Okay, so I think you need some brighter colors on the sunflowers to make them pop. Maybe some lemon yellow and some more white mixed into the lighter hues. Then for the darks, like the maroon and browns in the sunflowers, go darker. This would enhance the highlight and shadows, or the contrasting colors of the sunflowers to bring them forward more. As far as the background goes, look through some photos of gardens to see what you can incorporate into the background. Maybe some leafy things? Study the differences you see in the foreground and backgrounds of the photos you find. Maybe add some little flowers here and there? These are just some suggestions that will hopefully help. I do love the scene, it is charming. Keep going! Loving your work here!

Hello sbrownn, I have to admit, I've been down the same road lately trying to find the right press or hand tools for the snaps I want to use for leather work, also canvas and vinyl work. I've been using a Hoover "Press-N-Snap" for about 12 years or so. Main use/purpose for this tool was to apply grommets into my very long banners that I printed (wide format printer) and those were at least 20 feet long. So the grommets had to be strong. My Press-N-Snap came with a set of dies for applying Ligne/Line 24 Snaps. However, I never used that set of dies. I needed dies for grommets and bought those dies in (3) different sizes. They were not cheap but they were neccessary for the banner work I did then. I put the dies for the Line 24 snaps aside, thinking at the time that I'd probably figure out how to use them some day. For my first couple years printing wide format banners, I felt the need to add a foot press to my equipment to speed up production. Applying a lot of grommets by hand is not quick with the Press-N-Snap. So, I did invest in a table-top press that I built my own foot press for. I used an with old Singer treadle sewing machine base I had laying around. I disconnected the wheel on the treadle and added a pulley and some bungee cords and a hole in the table to pull the handle down with the old iron foot treadle. It worked perfect! Kind of fun too! It's a conversation piece! LOL. More recently, I found a use for the Press-n-Snap die set for Line 24 snaps. That set of dies is the best thing I have for applying snaps in boat cushions!!!! I'm sure this set will also come in handy when I start making some stuff with leather too! How great that I already had it! I looked at the type of antique presses that you show in your photo and really wanted something that looked cool in my shop, but it just didn't make sense for me as I wasn't sure what dies to buy. It seems to me though, there is not a one size fits all press, I have collected a few presses, each one of them for different jobs. I don't mind having a few different ones because I can keepl one as a dedicated hole punch machine, or dedicated grommet machine, whatever. The lightest weight presss I have is another table top style, but lighter weight, I think probably aluminum. Current use for this one is to apply light duty rivets sizes #7, #8, and #9 mostly decorative type. For heavier duty coppper rivets, I chose some hand setting tools for rivets and burrs.Those rivets will be #9 and #12. I'm planning to use them for leather work, waiting for delivery on those items. These rivets are more expensive than the decorative type rivets, but I think they will be much sturdier for my leather work. Time will tell! The Press-N-Snap tool is my favorite though, because it is portable. It can be taken on site wherever I go, or easily attached to it's wall mount, I use it most often this way (on wall) for installing grommets. The only thing I am concerned about when using it on location to install boat cushions, is that I don't drop it in the ocean when working on a boat! I'd have to dive in and retrieve myprecious Press-n-Snap!

Scott, Thanks for the recipes and all the ideas here, can't wait to experiment!

Well your work inspires me! I have been so busy sewing commercially on the weekdays at another location. For my own fun at home shop, I want to do more with leather and started collecting some smaller tools and machinery for that work. I'm hoping to eventually incorporate some leather painting into my work too. Anyhow, keep up the great work & thanks for the inspiration.

Stewart, It is always a pleasure to see your work, glad you are able to find the time again. I love everything you do! Simply a joy to look at! Love the bird, so cute!