Ok, I'm looking at two machines to handle some stuff so I don't have to hand sew quite as much.
The Singer 145W103 (industrial machine) which lists that it is a compound needle, alternating presser feet (walking foot) machine with the presser feet having approx 7/8" lift to handle bulky items like "sewing linings into leather coats" as the original reviews says, and extra large bobbins (handling 4 times the normal size).
And an old Singer from around 1908 that operates as a single needle (I'm sure) with a large wheel attached to a pedal below the table, from which a large rubber band then goes to the machine, and you operate the machine and it's speed with your foot. It is foot operated, no electricity. Commonly known as a "treadle sewing machine".
I was going to post pics of the machines, but for some reason, leatherworker.net has been acting up on me today, and it won't let me post pics. I thought of the old peddle power because I remember being at a bike rally and a woman was there selling the large patches to go on your jackets. I have an extremely heavy, thick leather jacket that she sewed a large patch onto the back of, and she had one there. She used it because it handled the heavy material and she could use it whether or not electricity was available whereever she set up. The only complaint she had of it was that the cast iron base weighed a TON. That was probably 10 years ago, but I remembered it when I started looking at getting a little help in the handsewing area.
Anyway, thoughts are welcome. I just don't want to lug something home that will be of NO use (limited use is fine)...but it will be next year before I can put out the big bucks for one of the newer fancy ones that will handle the BIG stuff I don't want to sew anymore.
--Dava
