Sewing machine recommendations

Marceline

Marceline

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Hello - I'm hoping to work on a couple of project ideas over winter (make some covers and a few extras) and wanted to ask are there any basic tough sewing machines you can recommend to be able to sew canvas / make repairs etc

I've not sewed in 30 years so pretty much a beginner, so if its easy to use that would a big bonus

also - any good online places to purchase the heavy duty canvas / strong zips / fasteneres etc
 
Marceline said:
Hello - I'm hoping to work on a couple of project ideas over winter (make some covers and a few extras) and wanted to ask are there any basic tough sewing machines you can recommend to be able to sew canvas / make repairs etc

I've not sewed in 30 years so pretty much a beginner, so if its easy to use that would a big bonus

also - any good online places to purchase the heavy duty canvas / strong zips / fasteneres etc
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Search for the posts by hurricane about his sewing machine or send him a PM. He’s a really helpful, friendly chap.
 
Hi

I have an old Singer 99K dated about 1940 which I've used to make dodgers etc. It's OK but struggles with really thick stuff when you get to multiple folds, but if I use the hand wheel to push it round its not too bad. I also have an industrial machine with a walking foot and a servo motor fitted which is brilliant, but a bit expensive for a few projects. If you buy o

I but a lot of supplies from Kayospruce, Pro Fabrics and Hawk house.
 
Hi, I have been using an old heavy duty Singer 196K5 for the last 15 years for boat work and it is excellent even though it is 1964 vintage! Some people say you must have a "walking foot" type but that is not my experience. You don't even need a zigzag, two parallel lines of stitching is perfectly adequate. You need to ensure you get one with a heavy duty electric motor. Mine is of the type that when you turn it on the motor runs and the foot pedal activates a clutch so you get good take-up when stitching many thicknesses of canvas.

I recommend "Dabond V92" thread which is excellent at withstanding constant UV exposure, unlike some other types and for covers I use Topgun fabric (either the regular, coated both sides, or the S1, coated one side, depending on the job) and it lasts 15 years, or maybe more, exposed all year in the Essex sun(!)

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Solent sewing are a good source for thread, needles etc. Many oldish, metal framed and geared sewing machines are suitable for canvas. I use an old Alfa. Search Ebay for 'semi- industrial sewing machine' and you will get a good idea of the range of machines.
 
I have an old Singer 201 from 1960 something, straight stitch only. Bought from LORI in Oban (Lorn and the Islands recycling) it gets through most things OK.
We recently invested in a new Singer 5523 which, so far, is excellent.
 
I do a few sail repairs and some cover work, I've run a few different machines. I don't suggest any of the domestic machines except for the lightest work. If you are going to do sails a zigzg machine is essential, they normally will also do straight stiching for cover work.There are some light duty industrial machines like the Singer 20U which will do most of the sail work for sub 26ft boats. You will need to move onto a full industrial to do most sail work up to 35ft. After that to do corners on mains and jibs. You will need a heavy duty machine. Walking foot is good for cover work but not essential. Three step zigzag is best for kite work but that's another level of machine.
 
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We ( OK my daughter really) has just made new covers for our boat. Point north/Profabrics were excellent in every way. Good price and very willing to advise patiently putting up with my numerous questions. We used Sauleda and are very pleased with the results.
 
My Singer 20U can sew through anything I've given it in zigzag or strait. I've made heavy acrylic canvas main and boom cover, hatch covers, lee cloths, and sail repairs going through 6 layers of sailcloth, for a 36 footer. It will also do light work on dinghy sails. I regret it doesn't have a walking foot as standard, but an aftermarket one can be fitted.
 
I also have a Singer 20U43 which is very good, sews through several layers of acrylic canvas and a few layers of sailcloth. Does both zig-zag and straight stitch, very fast(3000 spm!) so I fitted a small drive pulley to slow it down.
 
Domestic machines can work, but my last one died a horrible death while sewing canvas as the gears mashed together and it never moved again.
If you’re going to use anything domestic (Singer heavy duty has metal gears, this would be a reasonable choice) get denim needles and don’t use V92 thread as it’s too thick to get a proper stitch with the needle sizes a domestic machine can take.
If you want your project to last use V92 thread and a proper machine. It’s always the thread that goes first, followed by the zips.
Solent Sew sell machines for about £1200 which are similar to Sailrite, but not quite as nicely executed and no nice box.
 
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