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Sewing again with a vintage machine

Unpacking and going through my machines and finding surprises. I have had this little one for a number of years and decided that its time to sew on it.



Sewing machine cover
Sewing machine cover


It is a hand driven machine without a lower bobbin. Looking at it I can get some idea of how to thread it. I will do what I always tell my students to do. The thread has to go through a maze walk before it reaches the needle. If you have threaded correctly, the machine will sew, if not, you have to do the maze walk again taking a different route.



Mini vintage sewing machine
Mini vintage sewing machine


In order to thread the needle I had to use a magnifying glass. I have become used to my students with their young eyes doing that for me. One of the drawbacks of growing old. There are lots of pluses but weakening eyesight is not one of them.



Threading the needle
Threading the needle


The needle is threaded, now to test it..



Threaded needle
Threaded needle


This machine does not have a lower bobbin so while beginning to sew I looked underneath to try and understand how it works. The upper thread catches on a metal prong and creates a loop.



Creating the first loop
Creating the first loop


When the needle goes down again the thread is caught on the second metal prong catching the first loop. A stitch is created.


It is mandatory to understand how the machine works in order to sew proficiently. That is how I teach as well. the students have to undertand the workings of the machine in order to converse with it.



Creating a second loop
Creating a second loop


Threaded and ready to go.



Threaded and ready to go
Threaded and ready to go


A small piece of vintage fabric for the test run.


Sewing on the vintage machine
Sewing on the vintage machine


And yes it works! A line of stitches.



the vintage machine sews
It sews!


So now I have one working machine set up and ready to go. This month I really feel like a pioneer.



Vintage sewing machine
Vintage sewing machine

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