Old hand operated sewing machine - i'm utterly clueless

[Jeanied]

Don't think zig zag stitches had been invented for long bobbin machines TS.

[Two_Sheds]

No?

That's why I wouldn't buy one then

[Bigmallly]

She does: straight stitch about 5mm from the fraying edge, then cut next to the stitches with pinking shears. I don't overlock anything, I can't justify spending �300+

Not wish to teach you how to suck eggs TS but that's not overlocking. It is however a very good anti fray mechanism..........I also would not buy an overlocking machine but I think there are plenty of sewing machines on the market that will overlock.

[veggiechicken]

Please, can I ask a question? Is Overcasting the same as Overlocking?
All I know about my sewing machine is that it can embroider ducks and Christmas trees and hasn't seen the light of day for years - and I've just found it in a wardrobe

[Bigmallly]

Please, can I ask a question? Is Overcasting the same as Overlocking?

Yes, basically it is the same, some folk call it overlocking, overcasting, serging.......it's just an anti-fray sitch.

[veggiechicken]

Thank you BM I've been reading the manual - don't know why

[Bigmallly]

Thank you BM I've been reading the manual - don't know why

It may come in handy when sewing the holes in debris netting...........whatever you do, don't use it for sowing your carrots...........

[veggiechicken]

Which of the 36 embroidery stitches would I use to sew up debris netting? Or would you use the buttonhole doofer and sew on buttons to fasten them up

[Bren In Pots]

Which of the 36 embroidery stitches would I use to sew up debris netting? Or would you use the buttonhole doofer and sew on buttons to fasten them up

Amongst those stitches is there a frog one that would really scare of slugs.

[veggiechicken]

No frogs but there are ducks and fish

[julesapple]

I've only ever used electric machines. As TS said, much easier. There might even be a sewing machine shop near you with reconditioned ones for under �20.00.

I do remember seeing that tv prog about farming in WW11 - it was on last year, title escapes me, they're doing medieval just now - and the lady on there was using a treadle sewing machine. It looked like a totally different technique.

I'll stick to my electric machine, I think!

[Hazel at the Hill]

My old electric machine only does straight and zig zag stitch, and I get on with it ok (apart from yesterday evening when it nearly got tossed out the d@mn window - things were not going well!!).

I could do with an extra hand at the best of times, though, so I don't know how I'd get on with one hand turning the wheel and only one hand guiding the fabric.

[Jeanied]

I used to turn the handle for my grandmother and mother - until they got the electric ones.
I quite like the slow sewing a hand crank creates. And if we do get powercuts in the future we can keep sewing by candlelight

[Hazel at the Hill]

I quite like the slow sewing a hand crank creates.

Yes, I can see that the control you have would be great - my foot pedal is a bit 'numb' in that respect.

[Bren In Pots]

I do remember seeing that tv prog about farming in WW11 - it was on last year, title escapes me, they're doing medieval just now - and the lady on there was using a treadle sewing machine. It looked like a totally different technique.

I'll stick to my electric machine, I think!

Jules earlier on in the thread I mentioned my 3 treadle machines they take some getting used to but once you get the rhythm going its easy enough. Saying that I've got an old Hobbies treadle fretsaw and I just can't coordinate that at all.