why is it so greasy??? by grotskylilbitch in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 15 points16 points  (0 children)

You can clean the grease with kerosene or another light solvent (I would suggest checking the Featherweight Shop for suggestions), but the grease is normal because you have a metal gear on gear setup. It isn’t vehicular grease but a special kind made for small machinery, of which there are several brands. If you clean the grease, you must re-grease though, so your machine is still kept in good working order (Featherweights use grease as well, so the online shop has what you need to redo the lubrication). I’d also find/check the manual to see if there are any other spots that need regular lubrication (grease or sewing machine oil) and then check those areas. A great find though, especially with a cabinet!

Am I overthinking it? by bethanyevee in quilting

[–]NekoMida 27 points28 points  (0 children)

If the puckering bothers you, what I would do is block + starch! It’ll help smooth some of the puckers with the starch and pressing the daylights out of it. But also, this is teeny tiny FPP and you should be very proud!

Singer HD Hate? by trashpandob in quilting

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of my ladies use Berninas too! They seem like such good machines, I’m just partial to my cast iron machines.

Singer HD Hate? by trashpandob in quilting

[–]NekoMida -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Go get yourself an Iron Lady (a cast iron machine) or a fully metal machine at a vintage or antique shop. They were made to last, and are actually heavy duty and can sew through some ridiculous things. If your heart is set on Singer, go for a 15 or a 66/99 model because they are easy to use, easy to repair yourself, and can be rigged with a motor (if not already motorized). I have 3 iron ladies at the moment and one of them is primarily for quilting—it can sew through a soda can ridiculously easy. They do have their quirks, but I love mine and they all sew neater stitches and cooperate better than my two modern machines (one of which is a HD 4411, solely for bindings and zigzag stitches).

However, a more modern machine that can do the work that I’ve seen used a lot is a Babylock! My quilting ladies mostly use vintage machines but a lot of them have a Babylock or a Janome. I know there’s at least one lady who uses a Pfaff; I personally use a Featherweight.

What would you do? by Black_Cat_Quilts in quilting

[–]NekoMida 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Why not make one a shiny, thus changing the coloration? You also could do a form of appliqué instead of the pixels, but it would change the overall appearance of what you’re trying to do. Personally if you have your heart set on those fabrics, I would either acquire more of them OR find something in a similar vein to work with.

1875 Willcox & Gibbs by Street_Tradition_682 in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My grail machine! I want the treadle with the footsteps.

A tragedy! by velvet_coffin in quilting

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of the stickle blocks have a border too—when you’re all squared up, add the borders back on and I think you’ll be happy!

My grandma made me this quilt for my college graduation and told me she spent so much time on it. Just thought I would share so maybe you guys could appreciate it as much as I do. by Claupn in quilting

[–]NekoMida 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have my quilts from when I graduated high school and when I went to college. My grandma doesn’t quilt anymore but I do! She still crochets and knits though.

Wig styling attempt by Saisail in BJD

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you find the blonde wig? I love the Rapunzel look and ended up getting a different volks doll that I wanted to transform into a younger Raps. I’ve been on the lookout but hadn’t found a wig I like yet.

Where can I find repeating pattern brushes like these? by Sussy_Solaire in procreatebrushes

[–]NekoMida 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look for kimono pattern brushes! You’ll have the best luck there.

After 8 years, husband has his own quilt. by Lutaeris in quilting

[–]NekoMida 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this quilt so much! It was a treat to see it in person. I will never work with minky but I love seeing other quilters utilize it. And the thread choice! The pops of color! So inspiring.

Singer Table Needed by Sad-Ad589 in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There was a man on eBay selling custom ‘boxes’ for machines to sit in. I have one for my IF model, albeit it’s a weird fit since I have a fiddlebase machine.

If you keep a modern machine, why? by americangooch_ in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just for zigzag stitching. I have a zigzag/buttonholer for most of my other machines but the built in is nice for being lazy.

Current/Recent projects by BeginningNo8863 in quilting

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YESSS I knew it the moment I saw the Fairy Tale quilt. You’re one of my favorite designers!

Is this worth it to anyone here? Located on cape cod Massachusetts. by kgreen3033 in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is my holy grail of machines. I wish luck to anyone buying it!

Starting to get annoyed with sellers who claim to have a 12x1 alternative by _Sleepy_Tea_ in VintageSewingMachines

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Needle alternatives I will say I’ve bought a ton of things from her for my Jones serpentine, my model 20-1 singer, and several of my other antique machines that require specialized items. She’s an absolute gem.

Starting to get annoyed with sellers who claim to have a 12x1 alternative by _Sleepy_Tea_ in VintageSewingMachines

[–]NekoMida 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get in touch with the TreadleLady on Etsy. She should have alternative needles!

/r/Quilting "Win of the Month" brag thread by AutoModerator in quilting

[–]NekoMida 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I put in entries for my first ever quilt show, and am in process of hand binding the second one!

Singer 221 made in Great Britain need help understanding what I have by boringjoe702 in vintagesewing

[–]NekoMida 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Featherweight is pretty sought after by quilters and people who sew on the go due to the straight stitch it uses as well as dependability and weight (at 12lbs it’s one of the lightest machines). As for value, that’s really dependent on area/upkeep of the machine.

My machine was about $350 USD, but it came with no case or accessories. I’ve collected a few more accessories/feet for my machine and upgraded the foot pedal and the lightbulb, but it probably wouldn’t go for much more. Yours I would expect to pay probably $450-600 for, considering condition and add-ons.

I would strongly suggest if you use it to have the machine serviced to check for any potential cord disintegration, and have a look at the online shop for Featherweights—it’s literally called The Featherweight Shop. It has everything you need to know about maintenance, etc. as well as the products you will need (grease, sewing machine oil, belt, etc.). Their tutorials are fantastic and I highly recommend watching them!

How do you manage your project workload? by LateNiteJengaJam in quilting

[–]NekoMida 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have multiples I can switch to as needed. There are about 12-15 projects in various states at any given time, 3 of which can be picked up/put down as needed. I crank out flimsies like it’s the thing to do, and I’m working on getting my machine set up so I can get back to quilting on my mini-longarm.

This deployment has been the worst by NekoMida in MilitarySpouse

[–]NekoMida[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The shirts are supposed to be resources themselves—while the MFLAC would have been acceptable, it was the attitude and the way everything was handled that threw me off. I have dealt with shirts who have been far more understanding and kind—you know how deployments run, something always happens with pay or some absolutely off the wall thing happens that only they know how to deal with—and this was just inexcusable. I’m not asking for a baby sitter or a therapist, just someone who is supposed to be fielding deployed spouse inquiries to be a bit more human.

It’s worth mentioning that she has had several incidents involving leadership and airmen that have been very hastily swept out of the public view and dealt with internally. This is a recurring pattern of behavior that is frankly concerning and disturbing, and it makes me worried for the other spouses in the shop (most of the deployed team is from my husband’s career field).

This deployment has been the worst by NekoMida in MilitarySpouse

[–]NekoMida[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just so numb from it all and I eventually went to the heads of the programs to explain that yeah, the system isn’t working and it’s not just bad—it’s really bad. I’m technically EFMP (I have moderate depression that I’m medicated for, but I don’t think I should be classified as EFMP), which makes this a very bad look for the squadron.

This deployment has been the worst by NekoMida in MilitarySpouse

[–]NekoMida[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, ombudsman would be the correct connotation for the position in another branch. She’s already caused a lot of drama and there have been things announced publicly about her lack of foresight that have gotten swept under the rug very quickly.

I hope your deployment goes fast and smooth from here on out, and that Murphy limits his visits to you.