Lightweight SM

I know that queries about sewing machine recommendations are directed to the FAQs and every make has its supporters, but I'm still going to risk asking

I have a Bernina that I am very happy with but I'm having to think about getting a lighter SM to take to classes. So any recommendations, advice on machines to avoid, would be appreciated.

Reply to
Sewingsue
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I recently bought my mum a Singer 117 Featherweight II: she and I are both very pleased with it as a light weight little Granny's Sewing Machine. Not for curtains, large projects involving many yards of fabric, or high volume stuff, but impressive stitch quality and ease of use for the size and weight. I wouldn't want to sew denim or coat fabric, or upholstery stuff on it.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

It all depends on what you're going to be doing. For instance, an heirloom sewing class might require some specialty stitches for things like madiera applique or hemstitching. Machine quilting may require (or at least make you think you want) more space under the arm than some of the 3/4 machines. Tailoring requires straight stitch and maybe zigzag. For the stuff I do, an Elna Lotus (long discontinued) would suit fine, but they have only a few stitches.

How heavy is your Bernina, how light do you need to go, and would a set of wheels solve your problems?

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Depends which one you have. The one I gave my friend had about 12 or 14 stitches. Wonderful machine! :) The one i have only does straight and zigzag, but I have feelers and a contact for one with more...

Reply to
Kate Dicey

I got a wheeled carry case for the Bernina - works fine apart from lifting it in and out of the car. However my favourite LQS for classes is one floor up and another place I would like to take classes has the classroom in the basement. Wasn't a problem but I now have carpal tunnel problems and am trying to avoid unnecessary strain.

Reply to
Sewingsue

Dear Kate, I got your name from my friends at rec.yarns, I have a Singer Made in Great Britian, the needle will not stay in ,no place for a screw to hold it, and I;m not sure how to thread it, I got it to hold and sew for about 1 inch than the needle fell out and thread broke. We think its a

1940's was treddle now electric.in a pretty wood table flip top case ! do you have any advice? Thank you, Jenny (
Reply to
jthell

A Singer of that age should have a needle clamp with a screw through it. Trouble is, if you unscrew the screw all the way, the clamp will fall off! Sounds like this may have happened to yours. I have *taken* the clamp off several of mine to clean them up, and as far as I can see, all the needle clamps are the same. If you know the model number of the machine, you can pop into your local sewing machine shop and just ask for one. The best way to find out the age and model of your machine is to look up the serial number on the Singer site. The serial number is the one in the oval cartouche thing on the bed of the machine just in front of the pillar. If you have the manual, that will tell you the model number, and if you look up the parts and threading diagrams, they will show you the bit that may be missing.

If you don't have the manual, this one here at ISMACS will give you an idea of what the clamp should look like and where it should go:

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10, To Set The Needle shows the clearest of pictures and shows you how to put the needle in for the class 15 machines. It sounds like you also need to join wefixit! They are the old sewing machine wizards! :) You'll see me post there occasionally.
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Good luck! Do let us know how you get on.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Hi Jenny,

I'm not Kate, but is it possible you have lost the needle clamp? Ron Anderson at

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can get you what you need. =20

Two places to help you id your machine:

The Needlebar has a huge section on identifying your machine, also a HUGE list with the different decals -- find your decals to help ID the machine:

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ISMACS has an entire section devoted to Singers, including many freebie manuals and cabinet descriptions of what came with which model and lots of picts, toL

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If you can post a picture of your machine somewhere we can see it, we might be able to identify the model and determine for sure the clamp is gone.

Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

Yes it will need to be identified. If the OP sends me a photo private I can do that. Kate, not all needle clamps are the same. some have a gib in there and most of those are not available. Never the less it must have some sort of needle clamp with a screw.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

My 66, 99, 15-88 and Featherweight ones all *look* interchangeable, and all the machines take the same needles, but I'd be willing to believe they are not! I could go and try, of course, but the CBA factor kicks in here! ;)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

All but the featherweight are the same in that case.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Hi all, the number on my machine is EF033919 it came with a box of (unknown to me) parts that says for 15K machine.the needle clamp has 4 holes, one for the screw knob I found, two where the needle shaft goes through and one on the other side that seems to have "screw threads" in it for some other type of screw. also a small piece (hard to discribe) with a very small round flat head and a open loop under it ,this will fit in the shaft beside the needle and the clamp over it,hard to get all three to fit. I think what I need is the part for the empty hole to hold the needle in, if any of this makes any since to anyone here ,Please help me!! Jenny

Reply to
jthell

I thought it might be the odd one out... Lovely little machine! :)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Sounds like you have the needle clamp and screw, and the thread guide that fits into it. Take a look at those diagrams and see if you can fit it together on the machine:

Fit the thread guide in the small hole on the bottom, and put the whole thing on the needle bar. Put the screw in from the right side. The needle goes in the groove on the left side of the needle bar. make sure you put the needle in the right way round for your machine!

Type 15 accessories are standard low shank Singer accessories. They will fit a type 15, a 66, and the 99 series. The things that are different about the type 15 are the type and placement of the bobbin (it goes in a removable bobbin case, rather than dropping in a hole in the bed of the machine)), and the tension placement (at the back of the needle rather than on the front of the machine).

Reply to
Kate Dicey

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