Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Sometimes you do need ZIG ZAG

 I have been having a wonderful time with the 201-3 as a treadle.  The coil spring belt is a bit chirpy but I kind of like the noise.  Today I had need for zig zag, though.  I hauled the 237 out of the shop and put it in the stand.  The belt doesn't quite fit.  It's a 1/4 inch diameter belt.  I think I need the 3/16.  Time to order one from McMaster Carr.  And while I am at it I am going to order the infamous urethane belt too.  People rave about it.  I'd like to compare.  I wonder if the urethane would stretch the way the coil spring does?  I needed to drop the feed dogs on the 201 and all I had to do was lift the machine up a bit.  I didn't even have to release the belt. 


It looks nice in this stand.  I was having some trouble with the tension.  I finally decided to replace the tension nut.  The original was cracked all the way through.  It is much better now.  I wonder why I didn't do that months ago?
 I tried dating this machine.  I am not sure of its vintage.  As best as I can determine it might be from about 1963. 

So why did I need the ZZ?  As you all know we have three dogs.  The dogs sleep on the furniture.  I made a cover for the sectional couch years ago.  Originally it was in three pieces but taking it off to wash it was a huge hassle.  I finally sewed it into one big piece but it doesn't fit in our washer now.  So today, because it was time to wash it again, I literally cut it in half.  I needed to zz the edges where I cut it apart.  It worked quite well.  I then sewed a ten inch wide strip along the edge so that can tuck into the couch between the sections.  I had thought I might insall a zipper.  This was easier.

I also put together two quilt blocks for the Treadle On Block Exchange (TOBE) for the TOGA.


 The center stripe is for the Signature.  The idea is to make the blocks, all uniformly 6 1/2 inches square and then exchange them at the TOGA.  It commemorates the event and it encourages folks to actually use the machines.  I like the 201 better for piecing.  It makes a straighter stitch.  That could be me, too.  I think a SS needle plate might help as well.  More shopping.





6 comments:

  1. It would be great if sometime you'd tell us more about the coil spring and the urethane belts as I don't know much about anything besides a leather treadle belt and the ones that are seen on belted models. I really think the 237 looks very cool in the treadle stand like you have it set up. I trolled for one for awhile online but never acted on the impulse but may still add one. A treadle zigzag model is so tempting and cool. I have presently a 201 electric,127 treadle,featherweight,electric 66, and a 401 A in the too rapidly growing vintage models I have collected to add to the modern machines that live here. I really enjoy your blog posts and find them very informative. It's wonderful that you save these machines for others to enjoy. I enjoy the poodles'in the posts as well having 4 rescue dogs hanging out here so most of that is all too familiar.

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    1. Thank you. I think that would be a good post. I have to order the stuff from McMaster Carr so I will likely take photos and put them up when I get the chance. Don't hold your breath, though. I have sewing projects that are rather needy, right now.

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    2. Oh the time frame doesn't matter. I am several lifetimes behind with every sort of sewing project. I enjoy whatever and whenever you put up about the machines and living with them in the way of blog posts. I had to stop collecting vintage machines as I already had the house full of modern ones when I started,so I'll just enjoy watching you save and redo them. However I am still thinking a lot about the 237 and stand you have that is so cool and zig zags. Lol!

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  2. I did not know you can treadle a zz machine!

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  3. I have a Singer 237. There are 2 versions... The one you have and a later model with a knob that allows you to drop the feed dogs. My instruction manual say 1968.

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    1. Hi Jonathan. Yes. I have been coveting the one with the feed dog drop. Saw one not too long ago but missed it. Darn.

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