Sparky Rides Again!

Ok so after over 20 years... Sparky rides again! While I still want to rebuild the original motor I have just ordered and recieved a replacement motor for old Sparks. So today after over 20 years of setting... Sparky sewed a single line. Now remember I ran out of bobbin thread about half way through.

Sparky!

In my last post we had just changed the plug on the Commodore branded De Luxe and had quite a light show. Well being optimistic people (stop laughing) we decided to try to change the plug to a more heavy duty one in hopes that this would solve the issue of the sparks.  Last week we picked up another plug, this time a vacuum cleaner replacement plug and gave it a shot.  Before we plugged in Sparky (now aptly named)  we grabbed a spare surge protector just in case we had to shut it down quickly without becoming fried ourselves.  When we tried it this time the light lit up just like before and worked perfectly! So then I made the hubby try the pedal. Yup, nothing, that's right no sparks, no TV  no cable box, no light, just that noise that you hear when the breaker trips and everything shuts off. Yup, no sparks just dead quiet.
So deciding that we would check out the motor to see if there was some sort of easy fix, both of us being mechanically inclined I started taking the motor off the sewing machine and can you guess what I found?

Yup that's right our culprit, or so we reasoned.  Perhaps its an easy fix, so we opened the case and started taking the motor out.  Easier said then done there is another wire inside that goes to one of the brushes that is fried too. So now its the debate of fix it now or replace it and fix it later. 

On a positive note, the other night our beautiful calico suddenly noticed there was another cat staring at her, a cat trapped inside of the Commodore, that's right the machine is that shiny... 

Bad Jill, bad bad bad Jilll

Well, I brought home another machine... Bad bad bad Jill.   This is a beautiful Deluxe made Commodore machine.
Last night my husband started perusing the craigs list ads again and we found this beautiful machine that is in need of some TLC. From what I understand this old gal has been unused for at least 26 years. Yet she starts right up just needs a belt and a new plug. Also from what I understand I have purchased this machine from the original owner's grandson and his wife (lovely people!). Now a special word to a great co-worker who is such a nice person he came with me to pick up the Commodore, thanks Tom!  This gal is a portable and will fit in a corner for now while I restore and wait for the chance to bring home the 66. I look forward to learning more about this terrific, hernia causing, darling.
I have already done some research and found out that the Deluxe brand is a Japanese clone.  They were often branded for stores, and were often the economical choice. Yes they were not as expensive as the main name brands but this baby weighs a ton, definitely solidly built and built to last. I've read more then once that these are machines that last.
Pictures of this beauty will be following shortly, but I didn't have the time to take them tonight.

Sisters

So the other night my wonderful husband and I were again discussing the online search for a regular presser foot for the 66-1.  So while discussing the differences between a small hemming foot and a regular foot, as well as the cost of a full set vs the overall value of the machine. When my terrific husband states he doesn't think the 66 will be used as much as I think as I have all these "better" machines.  By "better machines" my husband means my current, newer electric machines, the ones that didn't work for 9 days after Sandy hit our shores (yes we live on the north shore of Long Island so got away easy) or after the storm last year that left us without power for 6 days.


First let me introduce you to the oldest of the sisters.  My blocky and beautiful Husqvarna 320.

The Husque (Husky) was a great Craig's list find. I had been working on two quilts for for our family Relay for Life team when my brand new singer started acting up. Of course the old Singer also was extremely moody and I had gone through two Singers 3xs to try to finish these two quilts. So this beauty popped up on Craig's list and my husband promptly called on it (yes I did say he's wonderful... usually). Unfortunately we were too late someone had already said they were picking her up. Luckily that person never showed and I am now the proud owner of this beautiful machine.  Mostly though I use her for the heavy duty alterations and some piecing. 

 
The next sister is another Craig's list find.  A beautiful Babylock BLQC.

 

This beautiful machine was listed as not working because it wouldn't recognize that the presser foot was down.  Figuring that we could either fix it or take it locally to be fixed it was worth the pittance that they were asking and stopped on our way from upstate New York to pick her up in Connecticut.  Well the car ride must have done something because she works like a charm.  This lovely lady is my favorite piecing machine and rides on my hand made quilting rack. 

I still have the two Singers, they still don't work well and I am not about to take them off to the rude servicer in NJ again these two sit in my storage. One day perhaps I will take the time to take them apart again.  I also have a singer serger that I love and find useful for edging fabric before washing, or when making clothing. 

These are the sisters, they have their uses and I love them all. 

Slowly

So not too much has been going on with the old 66. Having the beautiful machine in storage makes it very difficult to work on, except for what pieces I can pull off and carry home. So this weekend my 13 year old daughter and I went shopping for machine pull and steel wool. After our mini shopping spree we stopped by to visit the old gal. While we were there we tried to try the belt in the drawer. Of course it was way too small. So after a lot of research we ordered a belt from Amazon and are now impatiently waiting for it to arrive

Feet

So now the hunt for a plain old rear attaching foot is in full swing. The early Singer 66's were definitely odd balls according to my research.  Of course being an odd ball myself, I truly feel a kinship to this old lady.  Being different does have its perks, however finding a rear attaching foot for a sewing machine isn't one.  After days of searching online I have found two, one in iffy condition with spots of rust on eBay and a second which is a set of four feet, three of which I cant see myself using, but its a decent price, but still more then I want to spend. So now its time to start searching local antique stores!

I am beautiful

Tonight I finally got back to storage and started going through the drawers of the treadle table to see if there is a presser foot for the 66.  My fear was realized when I discovered she is indeed a 66-1 with the rear attaching presser feet and there is only one foot in the box that fits this machine.

Of course the one foot was not one I really plan on using with this machine, but its nice they had ONE in the box. I will have to sort out the button hole foot.

Although these are common, people seem to really love this machine. Each and every time I have had her out  and am working on something, someone has to stop and comment.  I love to hear about how these people who have stopped have grandmothers or mothers who have had the same or similar machines.  I think in the past week and a half I've had this machine it has brought smiles to so many people, not just me.  I think its time to name this beauty. Any suggestions?

Organizing.

Well, now that I have cleaned and polished the parts I brought home from storage, its now time to start working on organizing my sewing area and perhaps, just perhaps be able to find enough room for the 66 to come home.  I have been searching high and low for different storage and organization ideas but first you must understand my sewing area(s).  We live in a small apartment on the second floor. My quilting rack/sewing table/storage area is tucked in under the eaves in the tiny livingroom. And on the other side of the room is my beautiful sewing armoire and ironing board.

The day we bought it.

So I have been searching all over the web for fabric storage solutions and have come across several interesting suggestions I do plan on employing. One of the most neatest ones I had to do was to use comic book backing boards to wrap the fabric around and then store on shelves. OK the wrapping of the fabric works even if the boards are a little less firm then I had hoped. But for $12 for 100 they fit the budget and don't detract from my fabric money.

Metal Polish

Ok so today after two days of waiting for it, my Maas Metal Polish came in the mail from Amazon. So tonight My husband Neil and son David piled into the car and headed off to storage with supplies.

Pulled off most of the detachable shiny stuff. And ran home to start scrubbing.

And so it begins

I have always loved the classical style of the older sewing machine. The rounded corners and sleek lines. To me this is what a sewing machine should look like.  Until we started to antique with my in-laws I believed I was stuck with today's plastic machines.  Once we started going to the antique shops we started finding the old machines, some in OK shape and some... well, not in OK shape, but all above my price range.  My wonderful in-laws continued to look at machines, but not knowing what I wanted or how much I wanted to spend. The dream of an older machine continued. Until this weekend.  My husband found some wonderful antique malls in PA. At a small antique mall, in the back, we found a beautiful Singer treadle, in my price range (cheap).

And so it begins