MacGregorSailors.com

Lol, I found out about the zipper foot from that video too. It was there, in the machine toolbox, and works a charm. I never would have known what it was if it wasn't for that video.

I used 8-oz sunguard thread https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/8oz-S ... 16410.html. They make a 16oz thread too, but it's harder on the machine and even more likely to jam the bobbin. I used the 16oz to repair and modify our cockpit enclosure.

The hot-knife cuts rope and fabric, and it COULD cut foam with the foam-cutting head. I don't have that part so I just took a serrated bread knife and sawed my way through. The video advises to cut the foam from both sides to get a clean cut, and this is true. But I can be impatient so I just sawed all the way through in one shot, and sure enough the bottom edge was fairly rough. Oh well, I just jammed it in there and it seems fine. Oh, and I wrapped the foam, for some moisture resistance with this https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/Cushi ... 16684.html. It helps protect the foam from future mold. I used this hotknife https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0821L ... UTF8&psc=1 with the cutting-foot attachment, which makes it much easier to zip along a line without worrying about what the fabric is sitting on.

Fabric samples are important, especially with colors. What you see on screen is simply not even close to what you get, especially with oranges, reds and purples. Beiges aren't so bad to pick on screen.

Have a look on this website, you can see all the different fabrics available, with really good descriptions, although I can't see which ones are US-made, at least you can see what is out there and do some research.
https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/Marin ... _1910.html

Love the old machine you have there. Zero explanation for most of the dials and switches. It'll do fine.

For sure use a hot knife on Sunbrella. I have a soldering iron with a large flat blade that is slower than a hot knife but it seals the sunbrella just fine.
Richard

Well, now this project is very close to being done.

In the spring I'll add some velcro attachments, and finish trimming the V-berth extension. I ordered some magnet-catches to hold the V-berth extension flap lids in place on a heel, and the 8" brackets for my little flip-up table for the settee. I have a bamboo cutting board on order as well, to serve as the table-top.

Less floorspace, more comfort, is the way I see it.

Oh, and an additional recommendation for sewing cusions: make the boxing just slightly smaller than the foam height, for a good tight fit. Otherwise the smallest imperfections in the foam cutting show up as loose areas that need to be padding. I found that allowing for a 1/2" seam when cutting the panels but sewing a 5/8" seam gave a reasonable tightness to the covers.

I'll post more photos in the spring when I can turn the lights on.

Visiting my parents home. Low and behold...

My Granny's...


My Mom's, Looks hull for stout! It's all steel. If it didn't work, I could use it for an anchor.


And back to the zipper foot problem... I didn't see one like yours, so what are these for?


I might have to look at the polyurethane based leather samples I have coming. I don't think this tank would even pause going through it.

Looking closer, I found this attachment on it and a piece of real leather in it. I know this attachment was never there growing up... any clue what it might be?

Inquisitor wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:43 am Looking closer, I found this attachment on it and a piece of real leather in it. I know this attachment was never there growing up... any clue what it might be?][/url]

Looks like your granny was keeping her antique set of medieval torture instruments with her sewing machine,or maybe she was a dentist on the side? Or maybe a veterinarian?

No idea about ANY of those bits!!!!

But yes, a score indeed. They don't make 'em like that any more.

Inquisitor wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:43 am Looking closer, I found this attachment on it and a piece of real leather in it. I know this attachment was never there growing up... any clue what it might be?

Looks like it might be a poor man's walking foot simulator to allow for thicker materials. I'm guessing. The trouble with thick materials, and multiple layers is keeping the work moving consistently so the stitch length remains consistent. Thick materials tend to bind in standard machines that have the material feed from the table side only. That device looks like it will allow the static foot to float up and down, maintaining a consistent pressure on the feed, in lieu of squeezing and binding. Strictly a guess, though.

Edit: it's called an even feed foot. It appears that is actually a walking foot attachment that runs off the needle movement if I see it correctly. Check the video in the link. https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-Machine-A ... 7671&psc=1

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:00 am

Inquisitor wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:43 am Looking closer, I found this attachment on it and a piece of real leather in it. I know this attachment was never there growing up... any clue what it might be?

Looks like it might be a poor man's walking foot simulator to allow for thicker materials. I'm guessing. The trouble with thick materials, and multiple layers is keeping the work moving consistently so the stitch length remains consistent. Thick materials tend to bind in standard machines that have the material feed from the table side only. That device looks like it will allow the static foot to float up and down, maintaining a consistent pressure on the feed, in lieu of squeezing and binding. Strictly a guess, though.

Edit: it's called an even feed foot. It appears that is actually a walking foot attachment that runs off the needle movement if I see it correctly. Check the video in the link. https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-Machine-A ... 7671&psc=1

Incredible! A true Renaissance man. You always have an answer; though, I really want to know how you knew this one.

The Internet is great when you know key words, but me putting in "little white thingy on singer sewing machine" didn't really return anything of use.

I watched the video on your Amazon ad... simply mind blowing! Short of computer controlled CNC machines, we guys have nothing like this in the shop. And these were totally mechanical mechanisms.

Inquisitor wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:31 pm
Incredible! A true Renaissance man. You always have an answer; though, I really want to know how you knew this one.

The Internet is great when you know key words, but me putting in "little white thingy on singer sewing machine" didn't really return anything of use.

Hardly. As my dad always said, I ain't the brightest bulb in the box...

Simple really. You gave me a good enough pic to zoom and analyze. That gave me enough to guess at the function. Google singer walking foot, get the returns, hit images, find the accessory kit and voila.

Even an engineer can do it.

Full disclosure: I'm not a skilled seamster, but I've done a bit of sewing in my time. Mostly kids costumes, dance recital outfits, etc. (all girl family). So, sewing machines are somewhat familiar. I can sew about as well as I can weld aluminum. It ain't pretty, but it will get the job done.

Either way, I'm impressed.

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:20 pm Full disclosure: I'm not a skilled seamster, but I've done a bit of sewing in my time. Mostly kids costumes, dance recital outfits, etc. (all girl family). So, sewing machines are somewhat familiar. I can sew about as well as I can weld aluminum. It ain't pretty, but it will get the job done.

The things we'll do for our daughters... if she wants a pink giraffe...


Well, I need to work on both my seamstry (sic) and my welding. I feel challenged just getting two pieces of steel to stay welded together. And I understand aluminum is a whole other level.

Really cool.

What is that made of?

That is the finest pink giraffe I have ever seen. That needs to be in an art gallery! It's better than most of the "art" that was on display at ours... wow!