Cotehele Christmas Food Fair 2010

[masterclock]

I thought you might like to hear about the perfomance of the hand cranks.

The 100 year old American machine developed a fault, a small piece holding the shuttle has broken off. It would still sort of go but had too many broken threads and had to be retired. I am thinking about the best fix.

Its replacement was a 1920's German machine and it worked well although a bit of a bore having to rewind the bobbin after each bag. Its a bit clanky too.

The Singer of the same era was much admired -" we have one like that in the loft - it belonged to my Grandmother ...." One couple were surprised when Beattie explained we only paid a few pounds for such a machine. One lady said she had worked in the Singer dealership in Plymouth I think. She said when a new machine was sold on part exchange the old ones were smashed up by hammer. Sad, sad sad.....

Leafy produced a Jones, about 1960, but I think it was one of the Russian ones. However it had a very smooth action indeed. Something in the bobbin department was not quite right, but it did sterling service.

Ivybags had her trusty Singer, but it never got into the fray. It had shown its class at Clarence House so could afford to rest on its reputation.

In all a good show from the old timers, but the Brother was outproducing them at least two to one. Ah progress.


In passing for this show we were very lucky with the weather as it is nasty here again.


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[Krisaby]

That's interesting Masterclock. When a beloved ancient machine is ill do you fix it up yourself? I was wondering how difficult it is to make some of those tiny parts if they snap from overwork.

[Ivybags]

He is a machine genius - a rare breed these days !!!!

[beattie]

He's embarrassed! "I've got to fix the b****y thing now"
No pressure, Masterclock!

[Ivybags]

[masterclock]

That's interesting Masterclock. When a beloved ancient machine is ill do you fix it up yourself? I was wondering how difficult it is to make some of those tiny parts if they snap from overwork.

Elderly sewing machines are pretty low tech so repairs are usually possible. Missing parts are rarely worth the effort of fabrication, which is very time consuming, as the machines are so cheap. It is surprising what you can get on ebay in the way of parts too.

As the ability to function is more important to me than historical accuracy, so I am usually looking for a way of putting the bits back together rather than an ""as new" restoration. Amazing what can be done with a few odds and ends of metal.


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