Newbee

I have only heard of Artisan knitting machines but I suppose they could also make sewing machines. I know a man who has an antique car hobby and he uses a 1920's Singer industrial to repair upholstery and Eisenglass and canvas. He says it has a bigger bobbin spool than most machines, so he spends less time winding and more time sewing. You'll find someone here who actually has some information you can use. Good luck.

Nah... We sew just about EVERYTHING here - from upholstery to cobweb fine bridal stuff, by way of men's and ladies tailoring and spray decks for kayaks, stunt kites and historical reconstructions! I also have a customer enquiring about getting a cordura bike jacket repaired, and I'm thinking my treadle will probably be the one for that... :) Though *I* cannot help with that machine, someone here will know - or know someone who knows...

Welcome! And stick around! I have a couple of chairs to re-upholster, and my skills are rusty! I don't remember what I need to do with the wings...

Artisan is a reputable brand.

Joe, I sell the Artisan machines. Contact me off list and I can tell you anything you wish to know.

Hi Ron I tried to Email you but it was returned undeliverable The model I am looking at is the 618-1 SC. Is this machine a good quality upholstery machine? If I used it eight hours a day would it hold up and be dependable? I have some literature on it and it says "Artisan 618-1 SC heavy duty compound needle feed, walking foot sewing machines are amoung the highest quality production stitching machinery manufactured today. Only the finest quality spare parts and workmanship is built into each new Artisan model 618-1 SC stitcher". The statement about SPARE PARTS is what concerns me. Is this machine going to be repairable in 10 years? Thank you for your help.

Sincerely Joe Pearson

. R> Joe,

try going through the website.the basic answer is yes, all the japanese machines are easy to get parts for.

Is Artisan a Japanese make? There is an Artisan knitting machine on the market - great since Brother, Toyota, and Studio quit selling them - but it's made in China. Passap and White quit, too. I think Silver-Reed is still making machines in Japan.

I just saw my first Artisan knitting machine two weeks ago, and I was impressed. Have not seen one of their sewing machines, as of yet.

Karen Maslowski > small change wrote:

I've heard that they are well-made and reliable. I am holding onto my old Toyota 905 that I have every attachment and accessory ever made.

The thing that impressed me most was the thing that kept me from buying a knitting machine in the first place: the Artisan can handle a wider variety of yarns, from fine to bulky, unlike the other machines. I knew myself, and if I had gotten a Passap machine, I'd have been unhappy until I also had a bulky machine, so I just stayed away from knitting machines altogether.

Now that I've been using patterndrafting software, I'm thinking that making my own yardage might be a great thing!

Karen Maslowski > Karen Maslowski wrote:

They make three gauges of machines: 9 mm, 7 mm, and 4.5 mm. The 7 mm is a midgauge which should handle heavier yarns as well as lighter ones. I have owned a 9 mm, still have a 4.5 mm, and also have a 5 mm "antique" machine.

Several companies made a midgauge machine. The only one I'm familiar with is the computerized one made by Silver Reed and sold under the Singer or Studio name. I liked it particularly because the computer part comes off and can be used with their standard gauge and their bulky gauge machines.

Some of the midgauge machines are stripped down with very few features and sometimes with a plastic bed. They're good hobby machines but I wouldn't want to knit yardage on them.

If you get the Artisan, you might want to get a copy of The Prolific Knitting Machine by Catherine Cartwright-Jones. She talks a lot about knitting yardage with minimal shaping to cut and sew or serge into garments. Time-saving techniques.

Excellent info, Joanne! Thank you.

Karen Maslowski > Karen Maslowski wrote:

You're welcome! There is also rec.crafts.textiles.machine-knit for help and information.