I bought a grab bag of scraps from the local quilt store because it had fabric that matched what I have in my stash. I set it on the sewing table of the Singer model 66 and later decided to try sewing some squares together. I haven’t pressed the seams yet, but I love the way the machine works. It is the advice from The Treadle Lady to take these old machines on a “Sunday drive”. Using them weekly encourages proper regular maintenance, and keeps everything moving.
I thought the Singer model 66 was set at the tiniest stitch, so I’ve been gradually turning the stitch length knob, pictured below and marked with an arrow, to the left. This knob on both my machines was quite difficult to turn and needed extra sewing machine oil, and a wrench with the jaws wrapped in leather, so as not to damage the knob.
My assumption was wrong. Turning the knob to the left makes the stitches even tinier!
So now it makes sense that I have seen these knobs all the way screwed in, the longest stitch works well for sewing the most common fabrics. There wouldn’t have been much call for changing the stitch length, so more time for the knob threads to seize up.
I also figured out a way to “reverse” stitch on the treadle machine that absolutely does not have a reverse capability: I turn the fabric around. I sew a few stitches, bury the needle, lift the pressure foot, turn the fabric 180 degrees, lower the pressure foot, sew a few stitches back to the beginning, then turn again and continue with my seam. Here is a video. These stitches are so small I probably don’t need the extra reinforcement, but it makes me feel better.
In one of the drawers of the Singer model 66 cabinet, there was a metal wire hook. Very strange.
I asked on a couple FaceBook groups what the purpose of this hook was, and had many guesses, but no firm knowledge. I also signed up for the email list for TreadleOn.net, which talks exclusively about people powered sewing machines. It took a few days, but then a couple people chimed in with their informed guesses. From what I can piece together, this was intended to hold bobbins, and was an original Singer part 56267, as pictured in an illustrated plate (shown below) from MillardSewing.com.
From what we could gather, this part was only produced for a short time. Users found it annoying and often removed it. Many people answered my question with better solutions for bobbin storage.
My hypothesis, as a long time crafter and person who sews, is that the hook was intended for bobbins, but not for storage. It is mentioned in the Singer manuals, frequently and with urgency, that bobbins should not be wound with additional thread. The old thread should be removed before winding on a new color. I have personally seen evidence that the sewing machine users blithely ignored this advice, because ALL (yes, all) of the bobbins from my model 27 and model 66 had multiple colors of thread. I believe the Singer engineers fashioned this hook to make unwinding the bobbin easier. I tested with this in mind, and it works beautifully for that purpose. A single bobbin can be threaded on to the hook, it holds the bobbin securely while letting it spin, and while unwinding the thread, the bobbin does not jump across the room and hide under the dresser, as happens every time I have unwound a bobbin previously. Maybe users found the need to not waste thread more urgent than the smooth operation of the machine. I don’t know. The modern solution is to have a plethora of bobbins, minimizing the need to unwind. I will be keeping the wire as is, and will use it for unwinding. I do appreciate good engineering.
I wanted my owl bag to have a zipper, so I took a zipper from my stash and made a line of chain stitches a yarn needle and matching yarn on each side of the zipper.
I then used a slip stitch to crochet the zipper to the inside of the bag, leaving one row as a lip at the top (mainly to help hide the zipper and stitches.)
To be festive, I added a string of colored led lights to a sequined Santa hat. The cool part? The lights show through the white faux fur brim. The battery pack fit inside the brim in the back, and I wrapped the lights loosely around, then used white thread to make a basting stitch around the brim to hold everything in. The long stitches will be easy to undo, should I need to remove the lights, and I left a gap just large enough to slide the battery pack out.
Critters and Craft 