Sailrite Sewing Machine

[Martin_J]

Oh yes, heavier than a heavy thing. My biggest fear is failing to latch the case properly and dropping it on my foot.

I would always put a hand underneath when carrying (although it is incredible how much weight those small handles will carry when I'm watching somebody else carry a machine! )

I have the long arm Chinese version of the Sailrite on board the boat so it's even heavier.. It does live in a wooden base but then I made a fabric carry bag for it with 50mm webbing handles that continue all the way underneath.. I now have no worries about a case handle falling off. (Yes, it was another sewing project).

 

[Martin_J]

I'm on tenterhooks wondering what Bouba's first project is going to be..

 

[Poignard]

Are you going to do any tailoring Bouba?

I have been dieting and some of my cothes need taking in.

 

[Martin_J]

That's when I turn to the overlock.. but I think overlocking would be another thread.. (four threads actually)

 

[Bouba]

I'm on tenterhooks wondering what Bouba's first project is going to be..

Dinghy chaps?

 

[Bouba]

Are you going to do any tailoring Bouba?

I have been dieting and some of my cothes need taking in.

Would sir prefer a beige or striped Sunbrella suit?

 

[Bouba]

That's when I turn to the overlock.. but I think overlocking would be another thread.. (four threads actually)

My machine came with a binding attachment. So all the edges can have binding instead of overlocking

 

[Poignard]

Would sir prefer a beige or striped Sunbrella suit?

God forbid. I would not want to end up looking like that unspeakable cad Farage!

 

[Hurricane]

Think USB connection!

Very sad
Did you know that the guy who invented the USB interface died recently?
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They had to bury him the other way up.

 

[Hurricane]

My machine came with a binding attachment. So all the edges can have binding instead of overlocking

I think you had better do lots of practice before making statements like that!!!

 

[Martin_J]

The overlock cuts the spare fabric away as it goes.. so you don't get a second chance.. (Saves on scissors I guess)

When you're shortening many layers in ballgowns.. they don't usually want a binding on each of the finished hems.

You just have to make sure that if you're taking a few inches off the bottom edge that you stop when you've gone all the way round, or you will end up going round and round and round, continuously shortening like an upwards spiral!

I digress whilst still on tenterhooks wondering how Bouba's sewing is going.

 

[Bouba]

The overlock cuts the spare fabric away as it goes.. so you don't get a second chance.. (Saves on scissors I guess)

When you're shortening many layers in ballgowns.. they don't usually want a binding on each of the finished hems.

You just have to make sure that if you're taking a few inches off the bottom edge that you stop when you've gone all the way round, or you will end up going round and round and round, continuously shortening like an upwards spiral!

I digress whilst still on tenterhooks wondering how Bouba's sewing is going.

Ball gowns you say?‍ I’ll get onto those after I’ve fitted Poignard for a suit!
At the moment my back is feeling a little sensitive but at least the Sailrite is plugged in ready to go. Tomorrow I will learn to wind a bobbin and ......well, I actually don’t know what to do after that ?‍??‍??‍

 

[Martin_J]

To start with, I would just get an offcut of fabric, fold it over on itself a couple of times so you've got perhaps four layers. Then just try sewing a straight line. Lift the foot with the needle in the down position, turn the fabric through 180 degrees, lower the foot (easy to forget) and sew back parallel to the first row of stitches. Repeat until you've run out of fabric and try adjusting the top tension a bit each time to see the difference.

Then just try multiple semi flat felled seams as per the sailrite videos.. That seems to come in most useful for covers, sprayhoods and biminis.

All good fun..

 

[Bouba]

To start with, I would just get an offcut of fabric, fold it over on itself a couple of times so you've got perhaps four layers. Then just try sewing a straight line. Lift the foot with the needle in the down position, turn the fabric through 180 degrees, lower the foot (easy to forget) and sew back parallel to the first row of stitches. Repeat until you've run out of fabric and try adjusting the top tension a bit each time to see the difference.

Then just try multiple semi flat felled seams as per the sailrite videos.. That seems to come in most useful for covers, sprayhoods and biminis.

All good fun..

Thanks Martin?

 

[Hurricane]

To start with, I would just get an offcut of fabric, fold it over on itself a couple of times so you've got perhaps four layers. Then just try sewing a straight line. Lift the foot with the needle in the down position, turn the fabric through 180 degrees, lower the foot (easy to forget) and sew back parallel to the first row of stitches. Repeat until you've run out of fabric and try adjusting the top tension a bit each time to see the difference.

Then just try multiple semi flat felled seams as per the sailrite videos.. That seems to come in most useful for covers, sprayhoods and biminis.

All good fun..

Actually, the first time, I wouldn't even bother folding the offcut of fabric.
Just see if it sews!!!

 

[Hurricane]

On a VERY serious point though.
Make VERY sure that you have threaded it up properly.
Take particular care to the orientation of the needle.
I think you will find that Sailrite have already set that up for you - and put a thread into it.
A couple of points to note.
The thread goes through a small hole just above where the needle is screwed in.
You can see it in this pic



Then the thread goes through the eye of the needle from left to right.

Also, unlike a domestic machine, the needle doesn't have a flat surface so you can fit it in any orientation.
But it ONLY works in one orientation.
There are some very good Sailrite videos that explain this - I suggest that you watch them VERY carefully.

I say all this because I've spent several hours in the past wondering why it didn't even sew a single stitch!!!
I even blamed SWMBO once for dropping it - she didn't of course - it was me just changing the needle!!

Whilst I'm on the subject - Don't blame SWMBO - it isn't worth it!!

 

[vas]

why do I have the feeling that this thread is going to be as long as PeteM buying a Fairline thread?
get on with it man!
one day to bring it from the front door to the room
second day to open the box and freak out
third day to put it all together
forth day thread the whatever
...
...
zzzz

 

[Bouba]

why do I have the feeling that this thread is going to be as long as PeteM buying a Fairline thread?
get on with it man!
one day to bring it from the front door to the room
second day to open the box and freak out
third day to put it all together
forth day thread the whatever
...
...
zzzz

It’s heavy. Honest.
I haven’t even ordered any material yet!
I know I’m not a genius like you but to compare me to PeteM.......?‍??‍??‍??‍?

?????

 

[Hurricane]

A live aboard yachtie in our marina recently bought a Singer 4423 machine.

Last month, he made this:-

He has just finished this:-

Very frustrating for us in the UK when all that sun is beaming down out where we keep our boats.

@Bouba anyway, rest assured, you will get there in the end.
How is the experimenting going on?

 

[Bouba]

A live aboard yachtie in our marina recently bought a Singer 4423 machine.

Last month, he made this:-

He has just finished this:-

Very frustrating for us in the UK when all that sun is beaming down out where we keep our boats.

@Bouba anyway, rest assured, you will get there in the end.
How is the experimenting going on?

Well, I’ve had some delays, some is the usual bureaucracy and today (and possibly tomorrow) I’m spending the day on my boat with the mechanic who’s servicing the engine.
I’ve been watching videos on making dinghy chaps and taking measurements. Now I need to order supplies. The first several tasks in making chaps don’t involve any sewing ??‍