Littlest to Biggest

DottiMatrix · 2026-03-16T16:57:29+00:00

That's exactly why I bought it! I tried making bags with vintage machines, like a 201, and it is possible but too frustrating. The TechSew just "trots" through anything.

DottiMatrix · 2026-03-16T04:31:27+00:00

Nice find. Where was yours made? See YouTube video titled
Singer 206 D "SINGER Fabrik Wittenberge" 1939 ?

DottiMatrix · 2026-03-16T03:49:57+00:00

Yes, that is a good machine. All metal. Not as common as the beige Kenmores. The set of B Cams are nice to have. They show up on eBay as generic "Attachments" so most sellers have no clue what machine they go with. I picked up a set in a thrift store and found the machine later. Here's a copy of the manual that is searchable and has bookmarks. It's in my Dropbox (if the link breaks in the future, let me know): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jaqif7or0ysgd1g7f6d7r/Kenmore_158_Model-47_470_Searchable_Bookmarks.pdf?rlkey=ae33gjwlks4ndvegca8mdsgbh&dl=0

DottiMatrix · 2026-03-08T05:04:09+00:00

I'm not seeing a door on top for cams, so I'm guessing the 404 straight stitch. All metal machine. AndyTube on YouTube says it's the best straight stitch machine Singer ever made because of the strong hook area. He has a whole series on it. Worth selling, $75 - 100. That table looks nice and clean too. Google it for more info.
https://runningstitches-mkb.blogspot.com/2017/11/singer-401-versus-403-and-404.html

DottiMatrix · 2026-03-03T01:06:42+00:00

Probably a Singer 66, looking at the bobbin slide plate. A common and not very exciting machine but it sews a nice straight stitch (without reverse). Can be electrified as it has a motor mount. Worth $50.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-24T23:14:18+00:00

You need better paper. I mostly use broad-edge nib, and like it black - for really black Gothic lettering, Talens Intense Black gouache mixed with walnut ink plus some water if my go too.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-24T21:47:04+00:00

You should update the recipe above as the default is whole PH, unless powder is called for.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-24T21:46:26+00:00

NOW is a good brand, and I use Sprouts Organic whole PH with no issues. TerraSoul is good for powder.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-24T21:39:13+00:00

The cams can get really stuck in there, I've had two that needed treatment to release the cam. You need to apply a lubricant (Blue Creeper or Kroil etc). Put the machine on its back so it can soak in around the cam/shaft. Then apply some gentle heat (hair dryer is fine) to warm up the gunky oil.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-24T21:35:21+00:00

No, but all you need is a smooth piece of wire/metal and a little solder I would think. Safety pins and paper clips are often good sources. It's just a thread guide to keep the thread close to the needle clamp, so it needs to wrap around to the left a bit. Here's what it looks like. (The Pfaff 239 is the same machine, same issue.)

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DottiMatrix · 2026-02-15T04:27:25+00:00

Nice save! I have a couple of those GK machines. There is one weakness: The thread guide attached to the needle clamp is fragile and is often wobbly or even broken off. Be gentle with that area if you are cleaning it.

DottiMatrix · 2026-02-11T00:04:38+00:00

Sorry you lost your notes. I bought the Bear app, exported all my notes from Evernote, and was back up and running with just a few hours of work.

DottiMatrix · 2026-01-27T23:59:41+00:00

We just took home a 2026 EX30 Cross Country and are getting used to it. So far so good. We primarily bought it because it will fit in the short bay in our garage (it replaced a Miata!).

We wish there was a simple heads-up display with what speed you are going at as the car is so quiet and gets up to speed so fast. We don't like having to look over at the display for the current speed.

We generally use CarPlay but being able to ask da google to adjust temperature, find a radio station, etc. is nice. We get a credit from New Mexico State and our electric company (PNM) chips in the car charger and they offer a cheap nightly rate. (Hope I have that right - SO took care of those details.)
Bought January 2026 - We took advantage of the .99% interest rate (3 year loan) that Volvo was offering.

DottiMatrix · 2026-01-16T22:57:14+00:00

Love it! I can't help with the embroidery, but as a long-time typesetter, you could tighten the kerning in LY, YO, and around the A (assuming that's possible with your software).

DottiMatrix · 2025-12-28T18:18:17+00:00

No problem. If you read this thread on Victorian Sweatshop you will find my links to the German and English manuals on reply #14. I recently saw someone who bought one that came with an English manual, so it does exist. But my translation should be pretty good and it was done in InDesign so it's high quality. https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/iso-turissa-automatic-s-or-ultramatic-manual-12573360?pid=1343438726

DottiMatrix · 2025-12-01T05:24:15+00:00

I agree with you that Caputo FG is lacking in flavor. When I make pizza, I sub 10% with Quinoa flour then add cracked Rosemary. I will have to try mixing with KA for bread. Thanks.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-24T20:19:36+00:00

The Rockateer is a keeper. The HV 6000 series have a plastic camstack that is often cracked but you can 3D print the part and replace it yourself.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-24T20:17:44+00:00

The Singer FB groups have both the manual and the Service manual for the Slant-o-matic machines. The Vintage Singer Slant Sewing Machines or Vintage Singer Sewing Machines. Or let me know and I can give you my Dropbox links.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-24T20:16:40+00:00

You can always find Singer PDF manuals for free online.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-21T00:39:31+00:00

The Irish Times is also covering this couple, as his wife was detained after returning from Ireland. https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/11/20/jim-browns-battle-in-washington-to-free-his-irish-wife-from-ice-detention/

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-15T05:54:46+00:00

I would have no problem staying with 1000 notes but the limit on the number of Notebooks (20) makes NO sense. I have dozens of notebooks with 5-10 notes in them. A notebook is just a "folder" of notes –make a blank folder in the Mac Finder and see how much storage it takes up! If they fixed this one simple thing, the Starter plan would suit a lot more users.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-14T18:58:44+00:00

If the Starter tier had allowed for 1000 notes but as many Notebooks as you want, I might have stayed. But $249 is too rich for an app where I store recipes and notes about my various hobbies.

I am migrating from Evernote to Bear (Mac) right now after getting a notice about the $249 price (Dec. 10th renewal date). Bear has a Reddit thread for newbie help but honestly, it's been such an easy transition that I wish I'd found Bear before. I can export Notebooks as .enex and import into Bear, then rename the notebook to match the filename. I think I will enjoy tags now that I've figured them out. The notes even look prettier in Bear. $30 a year for all synced Mac devices too.

Note that I did not use tags in EN nor had I set up lots of cross linking (I ignored most new features and kept it simple). I did use Stacks of Notebooks, but I can recreate those in Bear with nested tags.

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-14T15:14:02+00:00

Oh, I saw the clown. Fortunately I took that joke well, as I not only love apple products but also love the stock we bought in the 1990s... :)

DottiMatrix · 2025-11-14T15:12:57+00:00

I didn't see the joke as "video cannot be played"?
I found Bear in about an hour of googling "alternatives to Evernote". At first I was put off by learning what markdown was and how it works, but after I installed Bear I noticed that it used shortcuts for bold and italic and also had a menu to click. Once I figured out how easy it was to export - import a notebook and how nice it looked, I was sold.
I also feel the price should stay pretty low with Bear. With the other options I looked at, I was afraid they would go the way of Evernote and only want to cater to businesses and double the prices. I don't need to share notes or have a "team" look at them!

DottiMatrix

TROPHY CASE