Have to get it off my chest.

[CaptainKev]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I've been seen sewing since I was 15. In the U.K. I apprenticed at a Rugby football manufacturer. Moved on to custom carpet installations (back then woven carpet were hand sewn together). I've restored antique furniture, made sails and thatched roofs. I've currently got two industrial ancient Singers and a new Pfaff. I'm not in the sewing business anymore, but I still make all my own covers and tops. However, I do drawn the line. No clothing, no toys and no lightweight fabrics. Denim, canvas & leather are my primary choices. If you don't think it's manly.........you try hand sewing a leather football.
Kev.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I do have the older belt driven machine but I am not the greatest either, my mother can sew like no other but the point is that I need to learn not have her do all my work, I am still working on it. I am tempted to keep my old boat and throw new interior in it just for the practice.

I have fixed a few machines in the family over the years. Mostly jammed parts and lack of maint. A little machine oil and they are running again.

Generally speaking, those older belt drive models are 10x stronger than what you can buy today for under $150. If you have one, its worth keeping, and most machines have replacement motors, drive wheels, belts, etc. Lots of parts are standard or can be retro fit, like motors if you don't mind drilling new mounting holes, etc.

Needles are not expensive, and you should pick up a pack of different sizes just to play around with. Also, marine grade thread will not rot in the sun and water, so its worth the money to buy the right thread, even if buying cheap vinyl. Cheap vinyl will outlast cheap thread 3:1.

BTW, one thing I really like about belt drive or friction wheel drive is if the material is overloading the machine, the drive slips and the motor is and drive train are saved. With new machines, the motor heats up and can burn out.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

As long as it is an "Industrial" sewing machine and you are using it for re-upolstery and the like, you are okay. But the minute you start sewing doilies, needlepoint, quilts, etc, that is when you loose your MANCARD!

agree depends on what u sew i would still love to sew also

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Been a wet week up north has it??

Cheers
Phillip

No! they're just getting in touch with their WO-man side.

 

[_chris_]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I have fixed a few machines in the family over the years. Mostly jammed parts and lack of maint. A little machine oil and they are running again.

Generally speaking, those older belt drive models are 10x stronger than what you can buy today for under $150. If you have one, its worth keeping, and most machines have replacement motors, drive wheels, belts, etc. Lots of parts are standard or can be retro fit, like motors if you don't mind drilling new mounting holes, etc.

Needles are not expensive, and you should pick up a pack of different sizes just to play around with. Also, marine grade thread will not rot in the sun and water, so its worth the money to buy the right thread, even if buying cheap vinyl. Cheap vinyl will outlast cheap thread 3:1.

BTW, one thing I really like about belt drive or friction wheel drive is if the material is overloading the machine, the drive slips and the motor is and drive train are saved. With new machines, the motor heats up and can burn out.

This machine I got works very well and the motor is still strong and the bearings are great. My upholstory guy neighbor set me up with some great UV resistant thread made for marine applications and I have been tooling around with it and am pretty confident, I just need to find some more projects to do for practice. I have enough tan vinyl to to a whole boat and some nice carpet but just don't know if I want to sink the work into the old boat or just off it now, either way it has to go.

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Nothing to worry about. I bought a commercial machine a few years ago, did the whole interior and made a camper canvas for my Sea Ray 240 SRV. Saved myself thousands over having someone do it. I'm self taught from books, and videos along with pointers from my grandma. I've made many many mooring covers since then. I actually prefer covers over upholstery, a lot easier to work with. I have an older singer industrial belt drive machine. I sold my walking foot, but need to get another.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Hey I sew ...I admit it!
My mom passed a dozen years back....I got her sewing machine from pops....I made damn sure I used it...and still do....handy skill! and yes it can be a skill
the more ya do it (upholstery and such) the more opportunities arise for cool ideas for that next boat/car project...and it doesnt break the bank!

PS my mother-in-law found an industrial level sewing machine at the local second hand store for $15 ......metal everything and weighs a ton....

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

NO I can't picture a 6"3" 250 lb man sewing. I can picture a 5'11"200lb man doing it (me). In eighth grade everyone had to take home echonomics. We learned to cook and run a sewing machine. 20+ years in the military and you need to sew a bit as well.

I did all the upholstery on my bow rider. Curently I sew weight pouches for SCUBA. Saves quite a bit over pre-made soft weights.

I actually have an electric and a treadle machine. That treadle id great for heavy vinyls. It's around a hundred years old.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

For the last month or two I have been learning to sew, everytime I mention it people laugh at me. Can you picture a guy 6'3" and 250 Lbs sitting there sewing drinking a Bud Light? The main reason behind this is that I do alot of projects in te garage and am always stuck with not so great interior and would like to be able to recover seats, panels and whatever else pops up with out paying an arm and leg. I found an industrial sewing machine online cheap and picked it up and also my neighbor owns an auto upholstory shop and is giving me pointers.

That is all, laugh it up until you call me to fix that tear in your seat.

I wish I had a heavy duty sewing machine and then I could make me a good quality convertable top for my boat..Something that looks right like came from the factory in 1960 and some boat cushions that fit right.

 

[FishyFish]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

My Hat is off to you who are not afraid to venture off into the world of the sewning machines, I also dibble and proud to say "I can sew". For those who feel it's not a Manly thing,....naw, not going to go there....Your monies will be accepted with a smile and a thank you. Your criticism are funny......You Go Tarzan!.......Muhahahahahaaaaaa!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Hey, I'm not laughing. I would like to learn to sew myself. I have a buddy that can sew. He has made interior for two boats that I restored for people as well as the bags for the cornhole games that I make for people. I could save myself a lot of beer if I knew how to do it myself.

My wife asked me to make her a cornhole game for her school class . Show some picts of yours.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I did cross stich as a kid for a little while. My grandmother was a custom seamstress and my father worked in the Survival Shop in the Airforce. They patched and repaired parachutes, made and repaired rigging that went in the cargo aircrafts and made custom covers, bags and pouches for all kinds of stuff that pilots asked for...

Needless to say, we have a sewing machine and my wife does not even use it. Before the new ACU Army Uniform, I sewed all of my patches on my BDUs, I hem my wifes and kids pants, fix seperating seams, etc. I haave not really made anything yet, but I can sew. Saves us money...

NO, I will not hand over my MANCARD!!!

 

[redeye1962]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I can sew. i just do not know how to load the machine.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

I'm OK with the sewing, but Bud Lite???

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

here's my machine:

And a couple covers I did

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

And NO Bud Lite...come on...get real!

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Not laughing here, I have been sewing for years. I have been using my wife's Kenmore sewing machine, matter of fact, on my first boat I made my own Bimini top. As a kid my Mom showed me how to hem my jeans on a sewing machine........Thumps up!

Fish

wait, you did say Bimini or Bikini top?????

anyway, if it puts a smile on your face who am I (or anyone) to say what you should be doing. I watch how calm and relaxed my wife is when she is knitting scarves and hats and feel a bit jealous.

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

If you really think about it sewing machines a really manly. Motor, pulleys, gears, levers, and a sharp part moving very vast with the possibility of drawing blood and tearing through flesh if you don't treat it with respect.

Sounds like most of the other tools we have.

But some how they don't come with stupid warning labels. You know, like "do not attempt to thread needle while machine is running".

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

Would any of the retired Navy members of this list ever think of going down to the bosun locker and telling them they are all a bunch of "girley men" because they did all the canvas work on a ship?

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Have to get it off my chest.

My dad was an upholsterer and he was the best damned seamstress I ever met! Even better than my mom.

His favorite machine was an industrial Pfaff and he could use it like nobody's business. Yes, he sewed his finger a couple times, but as a man, he didn't make a sound and just cleaned up so he wouldn't stain the fabric. Heh heh.

Anybody remember the Nauga that gave us Naugahyde? The "animals" were created as an advertising bit to sell Naugahyde fabric. My folks made several of them for us kids and I always remembered how cool they were. Turns out they're still being made after 40 years. The patterns are still out there too.

I found lotsa links, but this one has the most pix.

http://www.rairai.co.jp/online/others/nauga-L.shtml

A real man would make these for his kids/grandkids for the holidays! Heh.