To all you sewing lot...

Just picking up on a chat from a while back on 'semi-industrial' desktop. Agree with whoever called this out as misleading, but dropping in as a reminder,

I got hold of a Pfaff 1222 a few weeks back, and it's a pretty remarkable machine for it's size. It was completely gunked up, with a few broken components and the usual build-up of compacted thread and fluff. It's It's largely mechanical, so super-easy to work on, order spare parts, clean, and repair.

It was made in '78 and is solid-as, weighs possible 3x a modern domestic machine. The motor is also way more powerful than a modern domestic, but still easier to control/use than an industrial. It has the option to drop-down a small walking foot, something Pfaff called IDT 'Integrated Dual Feed'. It does really good quality bar-tacks and zig-zags, plus a host of other stitches, some ornamental/fancy and others for hem-tacks etc, but not used any of these (and probably wont either). Having used an industrial bar-tack, there's definitely a convenience in using this machine for lighter-weight materials.

Thought I'd post here incase anyone was looking into these types of machine - would definitely recommend for a highly versatile desktop. There's a couple of variants and later models, which essentially got more electronics as time went one.

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Looks similar to my Electrolux 2000 I inherited from my mother. Built as a tank, heavy as, sews beautifully even through tougher material

I think #16 needles are the smallest that you can use, so base your material needs on that.

lovely colour! The difference between those machines and current domestic models is amazing.

I have some winter bibs that I cut the shoulder loops on and sewed 10cm of material to make them fit right. It was a temporary DIY bodge, but I'd like to get a decent version of it done before next winter. Anyone know some place / person that would do this for a reasonable price? They are old bibs, but I'd prefer to mend than throw away!

Do the edges/seams that you've done just need tidying up? Unless you've done a hatchet job, that's probably the only difference.

I've done a hatchet job :)

I have an old Bernina that is due for a service. Is there a forum recommended place to get it done?

Ha, maybe someone who deals with dance wear/costumes?

Any recommendations for tapes? Looking for

• narrow, 10, 15, 20mm
  
• 'fine' plain weave, or grosgrain rib, ie looks quality
  
• basic colours, black olive, dark blue - ideally a colour-card/swatch book option
  
• 100m+
  
• matt
  
• nylon or polyester,
  
• wouldn't be load-bearing (well, the fabric will give up before the tape)
  
  

Everywhere I've looked is either, heavyweight ribbon which looks like it'd be for xmas presents, coarse polyprop for industrial/work webbing, or limited q's/expensive because it's deadstock. I've got some options in China, but high volume, and would prefer to start small and nimble with a UK source atm ....any help gratefully received :)

...and I tried a few places in London, and have given up with a central London place, which one order went missing in the post (even after I chose/paid for a premium postage option), and the charge for a guaranteed delivery of a single roll is £12!

Would like to find somewhere that I could order as-and-when, but without this kind of uncertainty and cost!

Yeah I don't know if I could just take them to a place that does alterations? Or would it be expensive? I did a hand sew job and because the stretchiness causes tension I reckon it needs a machine version doing. Maybe I'll have another go.

What does it look like at the moment? I only suggested dancewear/costume because they are more likely to have a suitable stretch/mesh lycra fabric. Otherwise anyone with ability to do a flatlock stitch.

Sounds stupid, but have you tried facebook fabric groups? Usually resellers of imported webbing.
I've had webbing from this person before I think.
https://birdsbeautifulbobbins.co.uk/shop/ols/products/1-25mm-strong-rainbow-webbing/v/WEB-RB-5M

Looks like this mess. 🤣

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@Squaredisk
I just puked a little.
Here's what I would do.
Go to a decent fabric website. I'll pm the one I'd use.
Order two free samples. Usually they are 10x10cm.
Take those samples, and the garment to someone who does alterations.
Shouldn't cost too much as you aren't after anything too complex.

yes, great, good idea - and exactly that, an re-seller of a quality/volume source would be perfect. Thank you

Thank you Kurai. I am sorry for offending your eyes :)

Making some progress with the industrial machine: After a lot of Instagram detective work I found that hardly any bag maker uses a bottom feed machine, for good reason presumably so I ruled out the 8700. Would very much want an automatic machine for thread cutting and automatic start stop tacks so my I’m now looking at the Juki 5410-7. I’ve found one for €900, a lot of money but from what I’ve seen them go for it’s a bargain. So I should be able to recoup most if not everything if I regret buying it for whatever reason, will see what the seller says. Any pointers on what to look for when buying it? Will definitely bring some fabrics to test with, but with a distinct lack of tyres to kick I’m not sure what else to do / check.

That’s impressive! Are the bearings of the bobbin case still ok?
I had to buy another one unfortunately as the bearing were shot and I couldn’t find replacement part or anybody able to repair the machine

I think so, no play or anything, solid as - but are there any bearings in there?! My industrial has open accessible bearings/races, but I can't see any in the domestic - or if they are, they're tiny and sealed?

Nice! Great info for me planning my narrowboat. Do you know what the wattage on the motor is?

Trying to decide between ‘semi-industrial’ or industrial, make a drop leaf table that is more or less just big enough for the head for the latter. Won’t go in for a good year I imagine but have to plan the electrics/batteries around it.

Does anyone have any experience of budget heatpresses?

I'm looking to do small heat-transfer/film labels, plus potentially A4ish sublimation. Would be used occasionally for samples and small batch runs - ie, I'm not banging out T-shirts all day. Power would run from oven loop on consumer unit, with heavyweight extension cable, and would have a ventilation unit to extract glue/heat fumes.

Looking around there's a handful of models which are re-badged at the £120-£150 mark. Some look better quality than others, but it's impossible to tell ...an attractive thing at this price is that it includes other accessory elements for smaller items, caps etc

There's then a step up to £600+ models, which isn't out of the question, but would prefer not to spend this much, unless necessary and the cheaper ones are a false economy.

Any insight gratefully received, thank you!

I looked into this a couple years ago and all the budget/made in China ones are fine until they’re not, at which point parts etc. are impossible to source.

Better to wait it out on eBay/gumtree etc. for a decent used one unless you needed it yesterday.

Did my first 'garment'. Took apart an old oversized t-shirt and put it back together slightly better fitting in the shoulders but a lot shoddier overall. I did get a feel for the construction though, I'm now waiting for more suitable thread and needles and some jersey fabric to do another one. The goal is to make a friend of mine a cycling jersey, he's about as lanky as I am so can't find anything that fits. Cheap fabrics and zips for now, but who knows what the future holds.

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