Veritas was a Roman goddess of truth. She was believed to be hiding on the bottom of a holy well, as she was so elusive. The world hasn’t changed! 😉 ​ This beauty is by Clemens Müller of Dresden, Germany, from around 1910. Established in 1855, Clemens Müller was one of the oldest, if not…… Continue reading True stitches
​​ These machines are installed in my sewing room and are being used all the time. Each machine has its own unique set of functions which are needed in different situations, so although “all the time” does not mean 24/7, it still means that these machines are needed regularly and should be ready, willing and…… Continue reading My evolving sewing crew – 3rd edition
How does a sewing machine produce fancy stitches? It’s a combination of stitch length, zig-zag, needle position and reverse feed, and every fancy stitch can be reproduced manually, although it can be a very tedious process. Skip to particular sections: Fancy stitches done manually Fancy stitches with modulated zig-zag width Cam-driven zig-zag Combinations of geared…… Continue reading Fanciful ways of fancy stitches
I have new inventions to report! Wow, I’m so excited!! Well, to be fair, they are not brand new inventions of mine, but rather adaptations of my existing sewing machines to do new things. Still exciting though! Skip to Chain stitch on a vertical oscillator Skip to New double needle double step stitch The chain…… Continue reading New inventions!
It took a third overlocker to sort out the second. Not as a doner of parts, but of ideas. After my overlocker trials with AEG 760 versus New Home 743 (both Juki), I kept wondering why the AEG behaved so strangely (with correct needles, it favoured thin needles for thick fabric – quite illogical). Plus,…… Continue reading The third overlocker
Not all machines are born equal, in particular not when it comes to harp space, or the opening under the arm of the machine.​ Large projects like quilts, soft furnishings or coats can become very cumbersome if your machine’s harp space is too small. Just try stuffing a long imitation bear fur coat under the…… Continue reading Size matters: machine size, arm length and harp space
My trusted overlocker is a 1970s New Home Knitlock 743 made by Juki. The label says “Made in Japan for Janome”, that’s for, not by. It is extremely reliable, sews all kinds of fabrics with a minimal adjustment. However, to do a rolled hem, it requires a different needle plate and a special foot, and I…… Continue reading A tale of two overlockers
