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that would be nice,a very high tech version of mine of mirrors only.
 
I have never had the inclination to sew, but I think it would be a very valuable and lucrative skill post SHTF.

Can anyone still get ahold of a foot-crank sewing machine?

Can you use special needles to sew leather into clothing with a foot-pedal sewing machine?

I envision curing animal hides into tanned leather, and using patterns and a foot-crank sewing machine to make pants and tops.

Is such an idea even realistic?
 
those old foot-crank machines are way thougher than these new "plastic thingys" if you don't go industrial?
needles to sew leather are slightly different,if I remember correctly,there are needles to almost every fabric...I'm prolly going to get
a foot-crank machine sometime in the future.
 
The old fashioned foot cranks are really hard to find but I have seen some in New England quilt shops online. Very pricey. I've kept my eye out at swap meets but have yet to see any. Mainly just the cabinet. Granny has the cabinet part using as a table for her TV. If I can only find the machine to go with it, I'm sure I could sweet talk her. :).
 
You want this one
s-l1000.jpg

And so do I! The top presser foot swivels, and sews in multiple directions. You an sew pant legs and sleeves because the arm allows you to reach way inside tubes. The bobbin isn't as big as I would like, but whatever.

With cutting needles (rather than ball point) you can sew leather with this machine. I used to sew leather on this machine
206rbl-18.jpg


But that's a $3000 dollar machine, and doesn't do as much as the old singer. It just does some things a lot faster. I sold the consew, I need a triple feed walking foot that is more portable.

Sewing leather is all about thickness. Thick leather cant be bunched up as you sew, it can be really hard to work with, not because the machine wont sew through it, but because you cant bend it.
 
those old machines go here from 20-200 euros,depending if they work or are they sold as something to use or in the antique section...and none are sold here in my neck of woods
 
I have never had the inclination to sew, but I think it would be a very valuable and lucrative skill post SHTF.

Can anyone still get ahold of a foot-crank sewing machine?

Can you use special needles to sew leather into clothing with a foot-pedal sewing machine?

I envision curing animal hides into tanned leather, and using patterns and a foot-crank sewing machine to make pants and tops.

Is such an idea even realistic?
Last summer I built a 20'×20' building that was to be dedicated to tanning furs and hides. Unfortunately since our house didn't get built last summer we had to move in to it temporarily. My plans are to tan the furs I catch on the trap line and turn them in to useful products for us and to sell. Some examples; mink teddy bears for the grandkids, beaver bedspread, bobcat blanket, etc. I've sent a lot of Alaskan furs out to a commercial tannery and they have generally done a good job. But tanning is something I've always wanted to do myself.
I need to start looking for a sewing machine, and I like the idea of a foot drive machine. The wife has a nice electric sewing machine, she's already told me that I can't use it. She can be so selfish sometimes.
 
I really like that old Singer! Just seeing that big pass thru. . . I am envious. I am working on a Queen size quilt right now, yes the one I told you guys in the past I was wanting to make for my bed. I have a Brother that was a graduating gift from my mother so let's just say it a few years old now, but it is also standard size, which means I am wrestling with all the turning/rotating that comes along with real quilting. Working on viney leaves, criss crosses and still need to do some circling stencils. Still working on the edges. . . not sure how I'll be doing the middle yet. May just have to put it on a frame and hand stitch. My machine is really not set up for quilting at all, but this is on my bucket list of things to accomplish in my lifetime and I am working with what I got.
 
I learned to sew on a machine similar to the Singer, another foot pedal industrial. I really like them. You have some limitations in speed, but speed can be a double edged sword. I had to reduce the speed of my current machine, using different pulleys. If you accidently pressed the pedal to the floor, it would suck material through so fast it would rip it out of your hands.

The treadle machine is a nice, slow rhythm.
 
my grandma thought me to sew with the old singer,I've always enjoyed to do things,still do.
maybe I have someday enough money to actually get me an industrial,but until that I make do with what I have.
 
placed a bid for a foot-crank singer,if all goes well it will cost me 19 euros ,a phone call to my brother for transport help and a cup of coffee for him.
 
Nice. If you have any problems, feel free to ask. I started sewing with the old singer's, I have taken them apart and put them back together (the first try wasn't too successful lol).

I'm having thread issues this morning. Bonded Nylon T69, but the thread seems to be poorly bonded, and I keep getting broken strands. It is definitely the thread, but I have no choice, its the only spool I have in the color (and its a brand new one pound spool).

Taking a break to smoke and regroup.
 
have had the pleasure of useing that type before,but never had the possibility to get one at a reasonable price.
any problems,I come back to you. :)

always good to regroup,there are major differences in those threads sometimes you get quite okay quite cheep,sometimes you get...well,not so nice..
 
Its all made in USA Milspec from a wholesale supplier here in the USA. Out of maybe 20 spools, this is the only one I have had problems with. The red I didn't get to sew with, the dog got it while I was out one time.

I ended up lubricating the thread with some olive oil (I don't use petroleum based to lube thread) and got it done.

Time to make the bag for the water side of the dog harness.
 

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