It's there!

Oooh, exciting! Enjoy!

Check the type of bobbin carefully! I can't remember what it takes, but don't assume the Singer or Elna might do: and remember that the Singer and Elna ones are NOT interchangeable either!

If it turns out to take the 'universal' (a misnomer if ever there was one!)/type 15 bobbin (same as a lot of my machines, including the Singer treadle and the Berninas), then they are easy and reasonably cheap to get hold of, but do buy good ones. There are an awful lot of crappy cheap ones out there...

Very few budget/starter machines have decent lights. Even my Lily has a relatively feeble light! You have to get one of the newer/more expensive machines to get the bright LED lights... Or one of the old sort that takes those littlehot bulbs of the kind that turn the Featherweight light casing into an iron/forehead brander! ;)

Uh-oh, but I've been using the same type of bobbin on my Singer and mom's Elna: Diameter 20.5 mm, height 11.7 mm. Never any serious trouble, as far as I remember. Or was there??? I have to try again.

The ones for the new Husqvarna, hereafter named Husky*, has this type of bobbin: 11.5 mm height and 20.5 mm diameter. OK, if this difference exists (and it's not a fabrication mistake, you can buy the different measures in online notions shops, I've looked it up) then there must be a reason for it. So I won't try the .7 ones in my new machine. On the other hand I found out that the ones used in the old Husqvarna are sold for Berninas. OK, I haven't got one, yet, but... ;-)

Ouch! I forgot which machine impressed me the day I tried a couple of machines in Dortmund, but one of them had light that went all around the needle area. A wow-moment, definitely. Since I'm getting old, too, I've been using additional light for sewing for several years now but as I didn't get round to much sewing in the last couple of them, I haven't bothered to get something special like the Ott-lite - yet (hehehe).

U.

If you tell me the model numbers I will tell you which bobbins fit which machines and if any are interchangeable. I did not follow the thread about your new machine sew (pun intended) I do not know what you purchased.

Congrats on the new machine! :) If they are the green, plastic Husqvarna bobbins, you need to only use those in the machine. It won't like anything else.

Sharon

Thanks, but, oh, it's nothing, just a cheap-o one, for taking to classes. Well, I got a lot of metal ones from Kate for the old Husqvarna 2000 and they work finely. And the new one has different bobbins, clear plastic. I haven't gotten round to sewing a single stitch yet with my new baby, not even with the original bobbins, but this weekend I will (had to cancel a trip).

U.

OK, the new one is a Husqvarna-Viking Huskystar E20, and it came with 4 (in words four) bobbins.

The old one is a Husqvarna 2000 from the 1960s, (label reads 'Type 2000'), the one with the broken cam block or whatever it's called. Got loads of bobbins for that one but won't use it much in future for various + obvious reasons.

The Elna has printed a large 'ZIG ZAG' on its front, and the label reads 'Type 722010'; it's my mom's old one from the late 1960s.

The Singer used to live in a cabinet but that had to go for lack of space and now it's in a (not very well fitting) plastic case. It's label reads 'Type 237'.

That's about it. Haven't got any more machines, although I'm planning to get a mid-priced Bernina in the near future. Waiting for your input on interchangeable bobbins. ;-)

U.

lol Any new machine is a fun new thing and you need to celebrate it just a little. :)

The dealer where I got my Viking said that they can be very particular about bobbins. And to always, always use the proper bobbin for that machine. She was so adamant about it, I have just gone with that rule ever since. I've also been told the same thing by another pal who has a couple different Viking machines. She can't use the bobbins for one in the other. (can't remember which models they are, but they were both close in age to each other. Not like one is brand new and the other is an antique.) So I guess see what works. You will figure it out! :)

Well, good that you will have some time to play with it. Sorry you had to cancel a trip though. Have fun with the machine. :)

Sharon

The E20 and the Singer 237 use 15 class bobbins you can use the metal or plastic in both. The Viking 2000 and Elna are particular to those individual machines and can not be used in the others.

The light on my Toyota is just about adequate and concealed in the section above the needle so I never fry myself on it. When I switch to the Featherweight I almost always manage to touch the bulb or bulb hood as I am using it. And always forget how hot it is until the next time ;-)

Lizzy

My (quite pricey) Pfaff only has an 'orlright' light. I managed to pick up a mini anglepoise style - each arm is about 12" long, and the light is an intense quartz halogen 30w - for about £25. It's absolutely ideal for the purpose, as the head can be moved around the work area, either to the side, or behind, up and down. Wouldn't be without it!

I must say, it's nice to sew on a new machine after using only old ones. If something is wrong with it, I know that it must have been either the manufacturer or me. ;-) Fortunately, so far nothing did go wrong or break (knock on Wood!).

I'll never be able to figure out the mystery of bobbins. Although Ron (BTW, thank you for taking the trouble to investigate here, Ron!) said that Singer bobbins don't work in Elnas, my machines have happily shared bobbins for years. I have no idea why...

I did, as may have gathered from my postings, fun with the machine; the trip is to take place this weekend, and it won't be much fun. I'm visiting my Dutch friend with lung cancer in the hospice, and he's not in a good condition, I'm afraid. Well, who'd be, with one foot on the Threshold. I'll try to do my best for him, though, so please, wish me luck.

U.

(((U&Co)))

Thank you Kate, I'm about to leave but I just wanted to give a short wave to you. BTW, lovely dresses you made, I like the russet one best; just your colour and the embroidery is quite the thing.

U.

Thag yoo. Am now full of stinky head clode. Barking like a Great Dane with kennel cough and noze dripping like a leaky tap. Ugh.

Take my best wishes to your friend. It'll be a hard trip, but worth it.

Oh, poor dear! You need a fichu (and don't say 'Bless you!'). Oh no, you got them already. Then it must have been Beverly's 'whatever-it-was'. In the end, perhaps you're the UK branch of the FMC? ,-)

Well, I find it hard to write about the trip. I went there with a lot of expectations but they were all wrong. I expected sadness, but nothing of that is there. A lot of other feelings were there, and not all are PC. So I will only say that the hospice is a rather cheerful place, given its purpose, and my friend is in good hands and well prepared for his journey. I take the liberty to write more to you in a private mail.

Anyway, get well soon, and don't burst your corset with sneezing. ;-)

U.

The cold was awful but is on the retreat. Still barking...

I have your mail and will respond. I'm just catching up after the cold and two days in London helping a friend with an appeal.