Featherweight Fanatics Archives
1999
April
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From: "Karen Moss"
Subject: Sewing Machines for Mexico
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 10:33:34 PDT
Okay, everybody, I need some help! I am going on a mission trip to
Mexico the first week in August, and have been praying about what I
could really do. I speak Spanish poorly, I am not good at sports to
do clinics with the kids, I don't sing or play an instrument. Well,
to make a long story short, I received a call from a fellow church
member the other day and she said that she had purchased a new sewing
machine even though she had a perfectly good one, because she felt
that was what God was leading her to do. So she thought maybe I could
take the machine to Mexico and give it to the women there.
Well, the area where we go in Mexico is extremely poor...so poor that
the adults fast a couple of days per week in the summertime because
there's not enough food to feed them and their children both. They
all work in the fields, but only September through May. But they all
have electricity. Anyway, I now have several machines lined up to go,
but I need ideas for what to teach the women how to make! Ideally,
they would make something that would be a 'tourist' item so that they
could supplement their incomes. They live close to a tourist town,
one where the train for Copper Canyon goes through, so they have
access to American pocketbooks!
And I've been promised donations of needles, oil, fabric, etc....but
if you guys can think of anything that I just MUST take to leave
behind, please let me know. If I forget it, they may not have access
-- and certainly not the funds -- to get it later. So I am looking
for all of your ideas.
Thanks so much,
Karen in Tucson
"She makes coverings for her bed; she in clothed in fine linen and
purple....She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies
the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come." Prov. 31
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 20:40:49 -0500
From: Chuck44
Subject: Parts for "Bruce" Sewing Machine
I have a friend that lives in Arkansas that is trying to find parts
for an antique sewing machine.
She says it is a "Bruce" treadle machine and was last manufactured
by the White company. She does not have a computer, so she asked
me to see if I could find anything on the Web.
The part is a "drivewheel ball retainer & balls". That is what it shows for
a part name in the owners manual. What it is, is a caged ball bearing assembly
a little over a half inch in diameter.
If anyone on this list can point me in the right direction I would really
appreciate it.
BTW, she called the White company and they can not provide any help.
Thanks,
Chuck in Missouri
From: Sharon Reese
Subject: TX Round Up
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 11:54:51 -0500
I have a few minutes to write emails, so I thought I'd send one about the
Texas Round Up held a couple of weekends ago. It was a lot of fun. There
were about 20 (?) FWF/ISMACS/TO members there. The weather was just
gorgeous, and we were able to go out onto the deck as well as talk inside.
Sarah (my 8-month-old) came along for the first hour, so I could show her
off. She had one of her days where she wasn't happy unless Mom was helpng
her walk (yes, I AM bragging! : ) ). So I spent a lof of time bent at the
waist and not really knowing what was going on. : ) At lunch, DH picked
Sarah up and took her home for a Daddy/daughter day. Or "let Mom enjoy
herself" day. : )
Highlights included: seeing the Sunbonnet Sue Treadle On quilt, seeing
Captain Dick and Wanda of Houston dance the cranky treadle (I'm not
joking!), giving CD a "welcome to Texas" gift basket, hearing about how CD
got started on this whole SM internet thing, seeing neat machines, and
talking about the "hunt." A lot of people I talked to said that the hunt
is the best part of collecting. I would have to agree.
Everyone had a great time. Money and SM stuff exchanged hands.
Information was passing on. Friendships were renewed and made. It was a
lot of fun meeting people face to face - especially those I've "talked"
with by email. I encourage anyone who's thinking of having a party of
their own to do it. It's great to talk with others who don't think you're
crazy for buying all those SM's!
A BIG thank you to Marie (in Austin) for organizing and hosting things and
to her daughter's family for allowing us to invade their home.
Sharon in Taylor, TX
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 05:47:40 -0400
From: Mark & Linda Heminway
Subject: Doug's industrial machine
Doug said:
> This man was
> going to cart it off to the dump, can you imagine? The book say that it
> sews 2,200 stitches a minute. That seems like a lot. Can't wait to get it
> hooked up. Everything works and the machine seems very smooth when turning
> the wheel. Great find and couldn't beat the price. Just wanted to share!
>
You lucky dog you! If I had been there first....
At any rate, do enjoy your new treasure! The only industrial Singers I
have seen are in the $200.00 category. I would love to have one for
sewing on Velcro - I can't seem to find a machine that will handle it
well. Has anyone got any suggestions, by the way? We use Velcro in
place of zippers on the sleeping bags my group makes for the homeless,
there is a need for a powerful machine that will "take it". I keep
wondering if the settings I am using could be the issue. I actually
cannot use a table top machine, I need a portable that can be brought
back on fourth from the meetings. I think I may try a 201 next, it is
most powerful, but really heavy to drag back and fourth!
Linda
Linda
From: Jhwatkins1
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 00:13:39 EDT
Subject: (no subject)
Hello,
I have a 1941 221-1 Singer Featherweight with case, foot pedal, instruction
book and other accessories. I am interested in selling it. I tried to access
the "valuation" portion of your website but was unable to download the info.
Can you give me an idea of what I can get for it? It is in good condition.
Thank you,
Jill
From: "Hayden, Alice, DDI - Garden City"
Subject: RE: FW Fanatics 4/24/1999
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 09:39:26 -0500
<< It's the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society - first and
largest group of its kind in the world. Magazine. Auctions, meetings and
coming up the first full scale convention to be held in the USA. Please go
look at the web site>>
I went & looked, but only saw stuff about the London Y2K show for next March
31-April 2 (+ excursions). Is there going to be something in the US?
thanks,
Alice
From: explorer
Subject: Machine
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:24:44 -0700
Hello Fw's
I found a lovely old black Singer today and would like to know exactly =
what it is before I buy it. I've searched the web today and think it is =
either a 201 or a model 15-91. The serial # is AG908210. The base is =
14 1/2 inches, it has the light in the back and beautiful scroll work on =
the front plate. The bobbin is flat w/no holes. The bobbin case is set =
up like the FW. It runs like a charm and has all the gold decals in =
perfect shape. It is in a model 40 cabinet and has the matching stool =
in excellent condition. It is dusty and dirty and needs a good =
cleaning. Is it worth buying for $25 for everything. Please help me =
decide. Thx
From: "wooden spools"
Subject: getting on my soapbox for the day
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 10:50:17 -0400
I posted this on the Vintage Singer Club, but felt compelled to post here,
too.:
I went to a 6 hour quilting technique seminar on Saturday knowing that
it was sure to be a thinly disguised attempt to sell me a computerized
wonder machine. I enjoyed myself playing with all the gadgets and gizmos. I
punched keys and watched a digital screen tell me what to do. The machine
even (almost) threaded itself.
Near the conclusion the saleslady walked around and offered the *deal*:
$3,400 out the door. I wasn't surprised, but truly flabbergasted when the
lady sewing across from me who had a 4yr. old of the same namebrand was
offered $100.00 on trade-in. Wow. Absolutely obsolete and worth nearly zero
after 4 years.
When I got home I pulled out and threaded my spiffed up 301 (that I
certainly can sell for much more than I got it for) and attached the walking
foot I picked up used for 10.00 and started stitching. It occurred to me
that with all the gadgetry and gizmo-ing I did earlier that I never got to
straight stitch on that Wondermachine. That's probably 'cause they didn't
want us to think about how 95% of sewing would be straight stitching and the
Wondermachine *probably* didn't have as nice a straight stitch as my trusty
301.
So, I got a real education that day. Not what the seminar organizer had
intended, but valuable just the same.
Ok, off my soapbox now. :-)
Singering along....to the tune of a 15-91, 66, 99K, 128, 301A, 221, 401A
and more...
From: "Glenn Trigg"
Subject: featherweight definition
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 19:21:09 +0800
Have only recently begun developing an interest in sewing machine =
collection. Could you please advise me as to what a feather weight =
machine is?
Thank you
Terry Trigg
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