suzelle

Cool idea there Rocky! You guys are such inventors! Yes, very functional. You don't have to dig around in a drawer while the thread unwinds. Drives me crazy! Oh and the leather knot hanger thing - rustic!

I'm right handed and learned to sew with handwheel on the right. I could probably re-train myself if I had to sew on a machine with handwheel on the left, but luckily I don't have to! One thing I have had to learn to do though, stand up while sewing. My friend's shop has sewing tables that are built for people who are 6'5" tall, I stand only 5'7" tall. It's impossible to do a good job sewing at one of those tables, they are so high! They are propped up with 2x4's at the base to make them higher than the highest adjustment on the table. I think they are set up at 40" for table height. That's nuts! I have to lift my leg way up just to operate the knee lever. LOL. Looks weird, feels weird. Thus the reason for bringing in my own machine, with a 30" high table. The guys think it's the kid table! LOL. I don't have to use their machines anymore. Yay!

Okay Smartie! LOVE the thread holders below the table! Mine always get in the way mounted in the usual manner on top of the table. I have done other things too when I didn't have a thread holder, like just sit one on a shelf above me. that works. But I like your idea best because it all stays on-board. Great! Love all the your ideas and the purple is fun too!

You will be THE BOSS!!! Yes, you will get better - keep on sewi'n! I like that you are able to build stuff and improvise. Save a few bucks here, then move up and spend a little more when you can. The important thing is to start somewhere, right? Earlier in the week, I was sewing two 6 foot very humungous zippers into a boat cover - well, my last thread guide (before the needle) got damaged. Not sure exactly how it happened but I think the huge zipper pull must have come in contact with it when the needle was going up and down. There was shredded thread and a broken thread guide! I ordered a new part right away but it won't be until next week , but my machine wasn't going to sew another thing without it. So I was facing down time and I have an entire boat load of cushions to do for the same boat. So I thought I'd try fashioning my own thread guide out of a paper clip. I went through (4) mangled paper clips before I gave up on that idea.... then the thought of forming a thread guide out of a thick piece of thread entered my head. Whallah! That worked! I have been sewing with that same little fix all week! LOL. My stitches looked just as good as they did with the official "Juki" thread guide. LOL. I've been sewing zippers, piping, foam, mulitiple layers of marine vinyl, no hiccups!!!!

Oh yes, more more! Please show up what you do with that oak slab. You are amazing! Karen is amazing too! LOL.

Beautiful machine! Looks like fun. Happy for you. I just went back and read your title "My attempt to enter the machine world"... Well it looks like you have arrived!

Awesome!!!! You get the thumbs up from me!

The table-machine combo thing is a challenge for sure! I just bought a brand new machine and was pretty suprised about all the information I had to consume to get the right table for me and my new machine. LOL. Very time consuming, but I am glad there are some options. It's even harder when you are dealing with antique machines. If you have drills and saws and woodworking tools, that just gives you some more options, right? About your machine's "Sweet Spot"... yes it seems they all have one, I'm glad you are getting more comfortable with what your machine can do. I don't have a fur machine (wish I did) but if I had one, I'd probably do some more work with the furs I can find at second hand stores. For years, I used to re-make them into Teddie Bears. I didn't have a fur machine back then, so used an old black Singer domestic machine. I'd use glass shoe buttons for the eyes, wool for the foot pads, smooth leather to shape the noses, thick hand-embroidery floss for the mouths. I sculpted the hair on the face with wire brushes, shavers, small scissors. That was intricate work, but very fun! I made some good money on those Bears, even got into using old mohair furniture pieces for my Bear bodies. Also, new curly mohair - expensive materials but nice! I don't have the time or desire to do that kind of work right now. If I had a bit more time, I may get into it again, but I would expand the work into a couple of other critters, maybe dogs and cats? LOL. Anyhow, a fur machine would be handy for sure!

Update: I'm still waiting to see if the part I had to reorder (Hook Washer) is going to work. I sent both part numbers that Constabulary and Shoepatcher found for me and also the diagrams for them that you provided. I just asked them to send my Mechanic the part(s) they thought would work the best and offered to pay extra if they sent two different parts. I think they sent just one. Waiting to find out what my Mechanic says about the fit. The Company I bought it from said they sell only aftermarket parts. Mechanic prefers Original/OEM parts, but he said this would be a non-critical part, so he thought an aftermarket part would work, as long as it was for the 545-H4. Anyhow, thanks again for all your help! Diamondneedle.com is the Company I'm using for parts. They have been nothing but helpful. Even though I discovered that many (if not all) their parts are aftermarket, they are a great Company to deal with. They answer the phones, answer e-mails. Their prices are fair and if something goes wrong, they are there to help. I'm hoping to pick up my Pfaff this Friday if the part is correct. Crossing fingers and toes!!! Amazing how one little part can keep you waiting for weeks and sometimes longer! The reason for my documenting this is to get help, but also to help others who may end up in same situation with the model Pfaff I have. Again, thank you all!

Yes, pics please.

Perhaps previous owner tuned it in to sew thicker materials and threads? These little machines are always intriguing to me. About your space situation, yeah I know how you feel - too many machines, not enough tables! LOL! I have a fetish for tables, I am always in search of them and I'm sure now it's because of the machines I love so much! Also, I love it when I find a table that can be multi-purpose, if I am swapping out sewing machines according to the project, or just tables that double as desks or design/cutting tables. Adjustable legs are nice. Wheels with locking casters are nice too! Like sewing machines, there is not a "do it all" table! Good luck with your fur machine. Enjoyed your pics of "The Furbie"

Rustic, Congrats on purchasing the Juki! Wishing you many good days sewing!

Another old beauty Lovingly restored! What a treat for our eyes to see! Great work so far!

Wow! Stunning! She is B E A U T I F U L !!! Well worth the wait! I know you need to get her all tuned up before you can start sewing on her, but what kind of sewing projects are you dreaming of? Can't wait to see what you will make and how she sews! Oh, and that little brass piece you created that was missing is really special! Loved that and the way you restored the decals too.

Great idea Sam! Yes, shared knowledge is so helpful when someone buys a machine without good information on how to make adjustments. I don't have a fur machine, but I know others who do. Also looking forward to pics if you post them!

Constabulary, Oh you've got a heart for these old machines, hope you get her Singing again & wishing that it will not be in need of too many parts! Can't wait to see her restored! Good luck, have fun!

Nice pics Chuck, you live in such a beautiful place. I'd walk 2 miles a day if I lived there!

Great idea, taking it to a Pro to get it running! You were very fortunate to get such great help, all for free! The person must have just really loved working on the old Pfaff machines. What a great thing to be the recipient! Really glad it's working so well!

Oh, Exciting! Looking great so far!

LOL LOL LOL !

Oh, thank you Tequila! Yes, should be useful! Much appreciated!

Anxiously awaiting too! Can't wait to see her with her jewelry on!

Thanks Spyros! Owner picked up the seats, he did seem pretty happy. I'm not sure he knew who did the upholstery job, and I sure don't need the attention. I'm happy to just sit in my corner and sew! LOL. I have worked at places in my past where they want me to answer phones and make the deals. I can do that, but it does take me away from what I love to do, pattern, design, sew! I was just happy he was pleased. Thanks, yes workstation is a great start, just added a plastic folding table to the back of it temporarily. I ordered a table with wheels so I can be portable. They can move me around the shop as needed, depending on how many cars we have in at the time. I like my own little area. It's a little too close to the Boy's bathroom, but oh well. You cannot have everything! LOL. Today, I have to finish a boat interior, then the rest of the day I'm hoping to set up my new Sewing Table. I've got a couple of wood shop tables I built a few years back that are 4'x4" and 2'x4", used in my sign layout (part of my own business) and prep area. I no longer need them for that purpose, so I'm going to shorten them up to the height of my sewing table, then alter the tables to fit my new plan - dedicated sewing table with extensions. I think it should take about a day and a half to get them all ready. Then I'll have a really great sewing table and it won't cost anything. Well, maybe a couple more wheels and some nuts and bolts. Not bad! Toxo, yes I just discoved Cechaflo on youtube a few weeks ago. Wow! That is mesmorizing what he does? He goes so slow, so careful and exact. Love his work. No words, just video. It's really skillful what that guy does. You only see his hands.

Tequila, Yes, I am doing good with my new machine. I am lovi'n my Juki 1541S !!!!! Luckily for me, no problems with the machine. It came with no Instructions on how to use the machine, and no instructions on how to assemble. But It wasn't that hard to do, just took some time. It was missing the drawer and I noticed that right away. Dealer has yet to send that. After assembling it, I noticed there was no belt either. So called them again and they told me that's not included, but the listing they had on their webite said it did include belt. So I told them I read it included belt and they should probably correct that, so they said they would send the belt too. LOL. In the meantime, I went to the Auto parts store and got myself a belt so I can get sewing right away. Couldn't believe it, price was about $30!!!! Anyhow, got it running. Dealer has been fine and the shipping time was not exactly as they quoted initially. Took twice as long, but these days it's nothing to complain to loud about, right? They did answer the phone each time I called, they were polite, also they addressed the issues with the missing parts. Got the machine at Jacksew.com, I would buy from them again. Theya re fast paced, but I was able to depend on them. Yay!