The best stitch for blind hem

...is plain zig-zag. Why? Because it resembles manual blind hem most closely, and manual blind hem is, of course, the golden standard. Domestic sewing machines have come up with a variety of special blind hem stitches, from a wiggling attachment for straight stitch only machines, to fixed or programmable combinations of straight stitching or narrow…

Uneven stitching on Singer 66K – mystery solved

Here is the problem: uneven tension on my 1906 Singer 66K. Why? It goes up and down every 30 stitches or so. Weird. Annoying. Bah! 😤 But never fear - the mystery is finally solved, see updated original post. 😃

Living memory

During the latest clear-out at my mother's prompted by the imminent downsizing and having to move, she came across a stack of linens that she inherited from the clear-out of her late mother, some 20 years ago now. In that stack there were some old linen towels with faded embroidery, some fine but old lace…

Hopping with a back-clamping Singer 66K

My Singer 66K has back-clamping foot fitting and I don't want to convert it to low shank. 🧐 Whaaaat? Why? Ah, that is a topic for another post. 🤬 Yeah, I heard you. 🤭 This 1906 Singer 66K was made within the first half a year of production of this model in Scotland, and it…

The secret of Singer needles

No, it isn't top quality - that's no secret. 😁 Singer domestic sewing machine needles of type 15x1 (a.k.a. HAx1 or 130/705H) are actually different from needles of the same type made by other manufacturers, both needles of top quality and needles of "great value". Here they are - a Singer needle and a different…

Impossible pattern matching

It's quite impossible not only because it's an intricate pattern, but also because it's Chinese brocade - the world's most slinky and stubborn fabric. Plus, it's a mitred corner. And yet, here it is: And here is another one, on the grain: Can you see how it's done? Zig-zag. What? 😲 Yes, humble zig-zag. Put…

The oldest one yet

This is the oldest machine in my collection - an 1885 Wertheim TS, serial number S6331276. It is a low arm model with a fiddle base. 🤩 This is after cleaning and varnishing, but before rust removal. I found it on eBay in a rather sorry state looking like this (seller's photo): A bit dusty,…