Another Newbie With ?

[makitmama]

well I stopped lurking today and joined up! I am a mixed media artist with an extensive background in sewing, quilting, design... I will try my hand at about anything. I have ~40 vintage sewing machines, since they keep following me home. I fix them up and pass them on, usually.

I have been making purses/wallets on my vintage Pfaff 130, which has done well(I did bump it up to a 1.5amp motor). However, I am at the limits of this machine and want to move on to a walking foot machine. I have been reading up on some of the threads about motors, needle feed, dual feed, etc. It is a little overwhelming.

So- I have plenty of machines that will do fine fabrics, embroidery, etc. What I need is a machine that will handle soft leather, from 4oz total weight to about 12-14 oz. I certainly don't mind if it is vintage or new... but frankly I don't want to have to tear down and rebuild anything. What is helpful is if it is simple to use...

and if anyone needs help rebuilding a Singer 66, 15, 201, or japanese clone let me know. Or if you want to repaint one with flames....

[pcox]

I have some singer 31-15s that will do that nicely. Also I may have an 16-88 The man has not said if he wants it yet. Both machines will sew 20 ounce leather as well as fine fabric. With some modification I have sewen 3/8 harness leather. The 16-88 is a walking foot type feed but not a needle feed. The feed dog and outer foot work together to feed the material. The inner foot and needle only move up and down. No reverse. I have went thru these machines and they make a nice stitch. Will handle 138 and smaller thread.

0n the 31-15 think of a heavy duty 66 with a 10 1/2 inch throat & a little over 3/8 foot lift, it uses a class 15 bobbin instead of a drop in class 66

Edited June 11, 2013 by pcox

[makitmama]

I really want a walking foot...so that rules out the 31-15s. I will PM you.