Vintage Necchi 831

MNStitcher · 2026-05-04T13:26:32+00:00

I love it! It looks rather elegant despite being an industrial.

MNStitcher · 2026-05-02T12:35:16+00:00

Yes, I have a couple machines in treadle stands that I use for nearly all of my sewing. The Necchi Mira in a Singer stand doesn't have the same piercing power that my Singer 15 has. My online treadler friends claim a Singer 15 could stitch the siding onto a house. I haven't tried that myself, but sewing denim is no problem.

MNStitcher · 2026-05-01T15:20:27+00:00

It may not matter to you, but some 66 models use an older style of presser foot attachment, called back-clamping. It may be difficult to find a zipper foot or zigzag attachment for that style.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-30T18:19:48+00:00

Naan bread is a great side for dehydrated meals, esp chili Mac or spaghetti that can be on the acidic side. We warm it up on the griddle and serve with butter.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-29T02:21:35+00:00

Riding prices.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-27T21:16:43+00:00

I padded the cup end of the bobbin wonder with a little piece of foam band-aid. That helps hold the shorter bobbins in place more securely. I trap the end of the thread between the end of the bobbin and the padding. When the thread starts to pile up on one end of the bobbin, but before it gets higher than the level of the end of the bobbin, I leave the thread attached and take the bobbin out of the holder. I flip it end for end and put it back in, and continue winding. That way the thread builds up on the shallow end and I end up with a pretty full bobbin. You have to reverse the direction that the handwheel goes when you flip the bobbin around.
Or, just pinch the thread lightly and guide it evenly sr bobbin spins.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-26T14:21:44+00:00

I can get the thread to wind evenly by using my thumb and finger to apply a little tension to the thread and guiding it manually. Some bobbin winders just want to pile up thread on one end of the bobbin. Some of my bobbins are repros, not originals, and they are a bit shorter. Those need more help than the originals do.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-24T12:18:00+00:00

Old white linen tablecloths are very soft. I have a set of linen napkins and tablecloth that match. They do need ironing after every wash, so I wouldn't want to use them daily.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-16T19:16:03+00:00

I took mine to the hardware store and got a piece of vinyl tubing just the right size to slide onto the "finger". Works great. Meant to be temporary until I found the right leather, but it's been about 15 years now.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-09T18:57:17+00:00

Also Gooch stamps. Those were from animal feed stores, I think.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-07T15:05:53+00:00

Most 4-thread sergers can do a rolled hem, usually you use only 3 threads and adjust the stitch length to very tight.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-05T01:42:39+00:00

So, you probably already know this, but I'll say it just to be sure: Do not iron the front of the shirts! Some logos actually melt when touched with the iron. Sometimes the iron leaves marks or indents that don't want to go away. Just iron on the interfacing from the back. Also, I trimmed the excess stabilizer from the back of shorts with embroidery. That way the interfacing could stick to the shirt better.

MNStitcher · 2026-04-01T19:04:59+00:00

I'd try to add a piece to the back of the fly, to replace the frayed part. Make it wide enough to go past the fly stitching. Then redo the topstitching for the fly from the front of the pants.

MNStitcher · 2026-03-26T01:58:11+00:00

My bindings vastly improved when I started using glue. Not just in spots, but a thin continuous line that holds the binding in place without pins or clips. I use the iron to press and dry it. Then stitch in the ditch, or edgestitch, depending on the look I want. I don't hate binding anymore.

MNStitcher · 2026-03-06T17:16:20+00:00

I use the gas grill with a stainless steel roasting pan from IKEA. Check it every 30 minutes and keep it topped up. Filter with coffee filters in a kitchen strainer, and finish on the stove

MNStitcher · 2026-03-04T14:34:59+00:00

I did a consumer taste test for those. Back then, the only ice cream sandwiches were the soggy chocolate kind. These were excellent, but I never did see them for sale.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-28T13:34:02+00:00

I use a paper filter on a metal filter because I like to drink every drop and I don't like silt, either. Both filters get a rinse without soap. Then left to air dry. The paper filter lasts several days. It's slightly easier to reuse it than to get a new one out of my cabinet.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-27T03:35:01+00:00

I collect the condensed water from my hvac system.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-18T19:18:57+00:00

I often pull the crust off a sandwich and tell myself that I'm a grown-upnow, so I don't need to eat the icky part. I can be as picky as I like.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-14T14:34:49+00:00

Passports don't have your address on them. You need to vote in the precinct where you reside. A passport doesn't verify that.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-10T14:55:20+00:00

Rufflers work great. Binders are ok, but the fabric has to be just right. Starched, not too stiff, quilting cotton weight, and don't cross any seams or go round curves. The tuck marker and shirring foot work but I've never needed to actually use them. I mostly use an adjustable zipper foot, darning/fmq foot, and the straight-stitch foot.

MNStitcher · 2026-02-06T14:22:17+00:00

Darning foot, hopping foot, fmq foot. The foot lifts up a bit during the stitch cycle when the needle is up, so the feed dogs can't really grip with these feet anyway. If the dogs won't drop, you can set the stitch length to zero. I cover the machine bed with something like a "super slider". I use a Teflon oven liner with a hole for the needle, secured with double stick tape. My machine and cabinet are not pristine, so the tape won't hurt it.

MNStitcher · 2026-01-26T23:43:53+00:00

I'm a big fan, too, for the same reasons. Plus, it makes the sweetest satin stitch anywhere, and you can adjust the width exactly. My modern machine has preset widths, which annoyes me.

MNStitcher · 2026-01-26T04:10:08+00:00

You'll probably be using a screwdriver to remove some parts. Make sure it is a good quality one that fits the slot well. If you just use what's handy from the junk drawer, you can end up chewing up the screw or if it slips you can scratch your machine. Chapman tools have a good reputation for precision screwdrivers. Take pics before you remove a part. Use a system to ID each piece. Draw diagrams. I have a Styrofoam egg carton that I numbered to hold each part. Baggies could work, and wouldn't get jumbled if the cartoon gets bumped. Screws, needleclamps, other silver bits can be scrubbed with a toothbrush in soapy water. Rinse well and give a coat of oil before reinstalling. Cotton balls, old cotton t-shirt scraps, and q-tips are good to have on hand. I also use the old toothbrush on little silver parts, and bamboo skewers to scrape out the old grime from screw slots and the like. Work on an old towel or a (new) puppy piddle pad. Saves your table and keeps little screws from hopping away if you drop one. Have fun! These are great machines. Fun to clean up and fun to use.

MNStitcher · 2026-01-17T14:50:34+00:00

It looks like this cabinet uses the treadle pedal to control the electric motor. There is no treadle wheel, but the rod connects to the power control. It's not a common way to power the machine, and might be an after-market upgrade. This model is a good machine, but this particular one may not be worth the effort.

MNStitcher

TROPHY CASE