I got my junkin’ and sewing machine ‘fix’ today. Last weekend, Louie and I did not get to go junkin’ AT ALL, so we went yesterday AND today. Didn’t find much of anything yesterday, and certainly did not find any sewing machines, but I found one today.
The new ‘Orphan’ is a Singer Graduate 935 (school machine). These machines were made to be a heavier duty machine, over the home versions. I’m not sure why. The cords are extra long, and heavy duty. I found a manual to download online, and I have cleaned and oiled it (not much oiling, as there are numerous ‘nylon’ gears…oil and nylon do not mix..the oil breaks down the nylon). It’s a slant shank machine. It also has a ‘flip down’ panel to make the bed a ‘free arm’ model. I am guessing the year of production to be late 70’s early 80’s. The motor is strong and quiet.
Before I received the manual download, I was trying to figure it out without it. I ALMOST thought it was going to be a ‘straight stitch only’ machine, as I thought maybe it had a broken gear, but then I figured it out.
Again, my guess is that an elderly lady owned this machine. See the mess of thread below? There are three different colors of thread in that pile. These were all wound around the bobbin, on top of each other. Just how long do you think someone could sew with less than 20” of thread in the bobbin before they ran out, had to stop, retrieve the next length of thread, after rethreading the bobbin and pulling it up? If I live to be 100, I will never understand. I KNOW they did it because they were NOT wasteful, but the aggravation of stopping, starting, snipping threads, pulling up threads and starting over again would be enough to make me never want to sew again.
On a different note, Louie and I also went to see the movie ‘The Help’. I just finished reading the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It was no longer showing at the popular Cinema 53 theater, but I found it at a bargain theater just a few miles down the road at a much better admission price. Louie liked it too. During my search for a place to see the movie, I learned that the movie will be out December 6th on DVD and BlueRay. Yippee! I will definitely own it someday.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Michelle
I did hear good things about that movie "The Help". Glad you got a chance to see it and read the book! You are so talented figuring out what is wrong with the sewing machines and trying to get them to work again!
ReplyDeletehave a good week ahead!
betty
Yesterday I was sewing with my sister and I teased her about being an old lady. She had a bobbin on her Bernina with at least 3 colors of thread on it. Now, I will admit to occasionally throwing thread on a pre-threaded bobbin in a pinch and ONLY if I am going to do a small piece. Otherwise, I pull thread off a bobbin and re-thread with my new color choice. All those stacked colors make me twitch!
ReplyDeleteLike yourself I couldn't be bothered with bits and pieces of thread ,I always use the same color in the bobbin when quilting so this is not a problem for me .
ReplyDeleteI've read "The Help" ,I don't enjoy shows so I'm waiting for it to come out on DVD to see the movie , thanks for the date .
Another machine rescued, you are an inspiration! I would much rather buy a new pack of bobbins than wind onto one with thread already there - that is why I have about 4 bobbin holders full of bobbins with thread :}
ReplyDeleteI was certainly taught not to waste thread. Even long pieces of thread from basting or ripping out was saved and reused. It was a long way to a store that sold thread. Also, most the people that I knew only had one or two bobbins for their machines. People didn't just didn't run out and buy like we do now.
ReplyDeleteSchool machines needed to be stronger than home ones. Girls (mostly) in sewing classes weren't careful with them at all. "It isn't mine, so why do I care?" was the attitude.
Now that my rants are over ;) you found yourself another nice machine.
Can you tell me where the reverse button is on this machine
DeleteMichelle
ReplyDeleteYou can use TriFlow on nylon gears. It is not a petroleum product. It is used on machines used for food production so it is totally safe. BUT it doesn't taste so good. Still it is safe for nylon gears if you were so inclined
I can tell you why the cords and machines are extra heavy duty... My mom was a home ec teacher in the 60's. She came home one day fit to be tied! One of her students was so frustrated with her "Bishop Method" apron, that she picked up her scissors and cut the machine cord! The jolt of electric current sent her flying one way and the machine flew the other way. I feel certain that this may be one reason that Singer decided to put heavy duty cords on their machines.
ReplyDeleteDon't ya just love it?
Hugs from Mary
I am so glad I found you! I am such a novice at sewing - just heartily try! Will thoroughly enjoy visiting your blog - your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Another great rescue.... You amaze me wish you were my neighbor. My daughters have old Necchi machines that need some love that I don't know how to give.
ReplyDeleteAfter teaching high school sewing for 22 years, I can tell you why school machines need to be stronger than home models..... the students will murder a frail machine in no time flat... in fact... some of the sturdy, strong machines have a hard time surviving.
Have a great week. Hugs, Lura
Hi, would you be able to post the manual on this blog post, I just got one the same model and would be interesting to have it,
ReplyDeletethanks a ton!!!
I have one of these! I tried finding information on them a few years ago (before your post, since it came up easily in a search!) It's my only sewing machine, got it when it was being discarded from my MILs classroom.
ReplyDeleteI was given 2 of these machines to use teaching the girls class at Church. There is some kind of pull down thing above the needle that I have never seen before and I have no idea what the purpose is. It doesn't seem to be a kind of needle threader, these machines don't even have a thread cutter. One machine does not back stitch and will only zigzag, not any of the fancy stitches work. They seem to be great machines and I didn't have any trouble threading them. One machine seems to have a modified cord with one prong on the machine cut away the other machine has the 4 prong cord but it sticks down so that the machine has to be sitting on the edge of the table or have a board put under it. I love old machines!
ReplyDelete