ATD

I bought a 29k and paid a fortune for it. the seller said it was in great working order and well maintained and the only reason he was selling it was because he couldn't get the hang of the treadle. My friends picked it up me. I should have known he was a liar when he ignored my repeated requests for video of the machine in operation and pictures showing the quality of stitching. The machine has never been cleaned and many parts fused together. It doesn't sew properly and I will ultimately have to take it apart and clean all the parts. Moral of the story: lots of people lie when money is involved. There are two types of machines -domestic and industrial. Period. If words are added to industrial it is a domestic machine. You have to consider what people are using the machine for. 99% of people don't try to sew leather. So they would say it is a powerful machine. ***i appologse for adding so many comments.

I like the old Singer machines because even at 80-90 years old they are better than newer digital machines. I have 16 machines and the ones that sew the best are the cast iron machines. Everything is solid and easier to fix than a plastic closed body machine.

I have several vintage singers. The singer 99k is a 3/4 size machine so the motor is not as powerful as it's big sister machine the 66k. There weren't as many of them made but they aren't that hard to find for cheap. I have read that you can put a more powerful motor on the 99k. you have several options at this point depending on whether or not you want to make use of your machine or get a different one 1. Sell the machine. There are people like me who would pay a hefty sum to get their hands on one. Check what other ads have listed it for. 2. Do some research and see what motor other leather workers arw using. I have read that you can use a more powerful aftermarket motor with that machine. Make sure you get a motor that fits the connector as there are variations between singer machines make sure the motor you get also includes the pedal 3. Throw it out your bedroom window and giggle with glee as it crashes to the ground (a sacrilege but it might make you feel better) 4. Have you tried using it manually by turning the wheel? 5. I have a 15-90 which has a spoked wheel. The 15-90 is the same machine as the 15-88 and 15-89. The variation is how it is operated (treadle, hand crank or motor). My understanding is machines with a spoked wheel and motor can be converted to hand crank with the hand crank attachment. The 15-90 I have is missing the motor. I haven't ordered the crank attachment yet but I have used it by turning the wheel. I think the crank enables smoother operation). I got that machine for $15 (CAD) at auction. I paid $60 CAD for my 99k which is considered a lot for this auction house. I would have paid $150 simply because I love sewing machine and wanted to add it to my collection. 5. Get a full size singer. I have found several articles detailing how to rewire the old motor (if necessary). 6. You can try a teflon rolling foot and lowering the feed dogs. The teflon rolling foot won't stick to the leather. If you can't lower the feed dogs you can put tissue paper or even better use a couple of layers of water soluable Interfacing under your leather. This will help it glide better across the feed dogs. i think that model uses low shank pressed feet. Any low shank should fit. I got one for my industrial machine but haven't tried it yet I got the foot for $7 on Amazon. You can try the walking foot attachment as well. If you decide to go for another old Singer try to get one of the more popular models that they produced in great volumes so it will be easier and cheaper to find parts for it. Check your area for estate sales and auctions. the guy that goes to auction for me said they often go for $10-40. I have become very quick on identifying old singers. If you see an ad or find one at auction and aren't sure what model it is you can send me the pictures at andreatuckerdesigns@rogers.com I can help with identification and if it is one you should buy or buy (or get for me). Lol ****I am looking for a half size singer machine if anyone sees one for sale please let me know.

I have been curious about the custom stamps from china. I have ordered lots of things from China (When I couldnt get it in Canada or the US)and my experience has always been good. When I have had a problem it has always been fixed. Some aren't in favour of it but my experience is they value integrity and care about their business.

If possible it would likely be best to pivot out the darts if your pattern had them. You would have to assess each pattern and decide on what thickness of leather would work best for example if your pattern was to fit close to the body you would want to use a thinner more pliable leather. you would have to decide on what closures to use most patterns have the seem allpwance printed on the pattern adjust the seam allowance to be wider or narrower. i recommend using scrap leather and make a sample before using more expensive stuff you will want to make your sample using the leather with comparable properties. Eg of you want to use a thick, stiff leather making a sample with thin pliable leather will help with construction sequence but likely won't be useful in terms of fit, drape etc Do you have a specific pattern in mind?

There is one at leather craft library for &1.99 https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-1839-guitar-straps-pattern.aspx