Unpacking and going through my machines and finding surprises. I have had this little one for a number of years and decided that its time to sew on it.
It is a hand driven machine without a lower bobbin. Looking at it I can get some idea of how to thread it. I will do what I always tell my students to do. The thread has to go through a maze walk before it reaches the needle. If you have threaded correctly, the machine will sew, if not, you have to do the maze walk again taking a different route.
In order to thread the needle I had to use a magnifying glass. I have become used to my students with their young eyes doing that for me. One of the drawbacks of growing old. There are lots of pluses but weakening eyesight is not one of them.
The needle is threaded, now to test it..
This machine does not have a lower bobbin so while beginning to sew I looked underneath to try and understand how it works. The upper thread catches on a metal prong and creates a loop.
When the needle goes down again the thread is caught on the second metal prong catching the first loop. A stitch is created.
It is mandatory to understand how the machine works in order to sew proficiently. That is how I teach as well. the students have to undertand the workings of the machine in order to converse with it.
Threaded and ready to go.
A small piece of vintage fabric for the test run.
And yes it works! A line of stitches.
So now I have one working machine set up and ready to go. This month I really feel like a pioneer.
It is not heavy and yes it is a chain stitch.
That little machine is adorable, but I bet it's heavy. Does the stitch look like a chain on the back? Well done for getting it threaded right and working.