Singer 7-33 under restoration

[MariaMS]

first stitches!!  Terrible I know, but a handmade slightly too thick wooden throat plate and no tension springs..... it is another step in a forward direction

[dikman]

Under the circumstances that is pretty impressive! 

[suzelle]

5 hours ago, MariaMS said:

LOL a dragon lady..... that's fun!! I see you have a few interests that align with mine - I am also a printmaker (a Farley letter press and an etching press) and a weaver with 6 looms including a dobby loom I built...... so things mechanical.

That's right Dragon Lady! We are Kindred Spirits! I started my life in the Offset printing business. I love Lithography, Serigraphy, Offset, Screenprint. Have done all those things and still do the Screenprint. One of my shops is dedicated to Screenprinting - carousel printer. The other dedicated to Commercial Embroidery. But I also like patterning and designing, so like most of us Artsy Fartsy types, I'm all over the board! LOL. You are mechanical too I seel! Super Cool! I love it when you can comfortably co-exist among the guys while they do their thing too. I think it's important to express yourself in whatever way you feel like doing it, even when it may be a little harder because perhaps you are not as strong. But your "strength" could come in other ways. You can help eachother out. Personally I forget that I'm a woman when I'm creating things. But sometimes (like today) I overdo it and go home with a sore back. Always a workout, isn't it? Oh and that sewing machine you are lugging around looks H E A V Y !!! Thank goodness you have some help! What fun to see it all coming together. I'm so excited to see the needle bar moving up and down. Great video!

[Handstitched]

3 hours ago, MariaMS said:

first stitches!! 

Coming along quite nicely 

HS

 

[MariaMS]

I've get impatient waiting for stuff to arrive in the mail, so this morning I made a take up spring from a bit of 1.2mm MIG wire.   It actually works - my stitches aren't baggy anymore!! I guess now I need to work out if the thread I'm using is the right size for the needles..... more research coming on. I am so happy to have got this far. The canvas is the same 12 layers of 16 oz.  I'm not sure about leather measurements but it is about 3mm thick.

[Constabulary]

I honestly never expected that this thing will ever sew again! Congratulations!

Assuming needle too far away from hook of needle bar set too high.

[MariaMS]

31 minutes ago, Constabulary said:

I honestly never expected that this thing will ever sew again! Congratulations!

Assuming needle too far away from hook of needle bar set too high.

Thanks! I'm still figuring it out - I think it skips on the odd occasion because I still don't have a proper take up spring and the wooden feed  dog plates, which doesn't have a proper needle hole (it is more of an open D) as I misjudged the cut by a fraction.  So the tension fluctuates a little.... when it gets a bit tight, it skips, I'm thinking because the loop it too small for the hook to get through.  The needle bar height is good I think but I can check it in case it has slipped..  It was hectic today with it being Easter and an open day, so hordes of kids all sewing on the hand cranks and domestic treadles and having a huge fun good time.  It will be quieter the next few days so I can have another look at the hook/needle distance. I only have the one size leather point needle at the moment. I didn't want to get them and then find I couldn't get her sewing..... but I'm sure I can get it better as I get to know the machine!!

[jrdunn]

5 hours ago, MariaMS said:

..... but I'm sure I can get it better as I get to know the machine!!

Maria,

I think "getting to know the machine" might be a bit of understatement.  I think they should name the thing after you!  You have brought it back from the dead.  (Avoiding references to Frankenstein's monster for obvious reasons.)  My hat is off to you.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

For rusted items electrolysis is an excellent way to go if done correctly. Anodes and cathodes have to be positioned properly, along with a good power supply.  For a penetrating fluid if you cannot get Kroil, a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone works excellent. Given some time Kroil will creep into gaps as small as one millionth of an inch. 

[suzelle]

Maria, you are amazing! You are very fast too! I cannot believe all the things you have gone through with this machine in such a short time and she stitches.

Yay!!!!! So, now I have to ask... Any plan on what paint and/or decals might look like?