A Problem with Oiling a Singer 15K

Regularly maintained machines can still give you a nasty surprise. 

Before starting my latest project I thoroughly oiled my Singer 15K treadle, taking particular care to oil all the accessible points revealed when the rear inspection plate is moved.  I also made sure that I oiled the felt oil reservoirs at the top of the needlebar and presser bar and the ones that are reached through the holes next to the spool pin.  These two previous posts show my 15K hand machine, which has exactly the same innards.  The mechanism was in a different position, which explains why the photos seem so different.

So I have been quilting happily over the last couple of weeks, and everything seemed fine until last night.  Suddenly the machine started labouring, sounding as though it hadn't been used for aeons and I had just brought it home from a second hand shop.  

A good half hour was spent checking the machine to find which particular spot needed oiling.  It was a real puzzle, because there was still plenty of oil in evidence from the last time.  Eventually I realised that the noise was coming from the U-shaped junction on the left in the photo above, where a shaft that goes down the pillar to the base of the machine joins the horizontal rod that is turned by the wheel.  In theory the oil reservoir should keep this joint well lubricated. 

The right side of the joint was fine.  However, to the left, where indicated by the knitting needle, it was bone dry, as if it had completely missed the last oiling.  Needless to say, I have slathered the machine in oil, and it is running like a train again. 

Why did it dry out so quickly?  I'm not sure.  Either I have been using the machine more than usual (I didn't think I was); or, the oil reservoir no longer wicks as it should; or, perhaps because of the U-shape and the position of the needle when the machine is not in use, the oil has a tendency to drain away.  Who knows?  Who cares?  The problem is fixed, and I know what to look out for in the future. 

Bobbin Woes

Last week, while free motion quilting with my Singer 15K treadle, there was a slight hiccup with the stitch.  On a couple of occasions the thread broke.  Then the tension was slightly off, with the bobbin thread loose and showing through to the right side.  Nothing was obviously wrong, the top and bottom threads were both correctly threaded, so I adjusted the tension both at the tension discs, and tightened the screw on the bobbin case.  I tested the stitch, and it seemed fine.

Everything went smoothly for a while, and then on two occasions the tension totally fouled up with massive loops coming up from underneath.  When I took out the bobbin case the thread wasn't in the right position, as above...

...but it had slipped out of place, like this. 

This has happened about three or four times in the past few weeks, and I had assumed I was being a bit careless and not threading the bobbin properly.  This time I decided I had to fix the problem.  When I pulled at the thread I found that if the bobbin is correctly threaded it is impossible the pull it out of place from the outside - the lip on the tension plate that curls under the edge of the hole prevents it from slipping.  The thread could only have shifted out of place from the inside.

The culprit had to be the actual bobbin. 

I had been using three bobbins in rotation, the old solid sided bobbin on the right (the only one I have) along with two newer bobbins with holes, like the one on the left.  I compared the old bobbin with the newer ones and found that it is a fraction smaller.  I don't think it is from another model machine; my guess is that over time the edge has worn away as a result of friction against the inside of the bobbin case as it has rotated.  Somehow this must have allowed a little too much play in the thread. 

So now I have retired the old bobbin and I haven't had a problem with the stitch since.  I knew it wasn't the machine letting me down.

1937 Singer 15K





 

Recently acquired by my friend, this splendid 1937 Singer 15K treadle is now ready for some action.  My friend has only just moved into a new house, and decided that she could definitely find the space for a treadle.  This machine is in a cabinet, and when not in use takes up very little space.

 

We spent a very happy time on Wednesday chatting away while I gave the machine a once over.  It is now de-fluffed, polished and oiled and ready to go. 

 

My friend has plans...

 

Maintenance and a Moral Tale

It was high time I lavished a bit of tender loving care on my stalwart 1945 15K treadle, which serves me so well for all my free motion quilting.  The last time couple of times I have used it I haven't been sure whether it has been me feeling a bit slow and creaky, or the machine. Probably a bit of both. 

The first job was to remove the faceplate to clean out a great accumulation of fluff, and tip the machine back and clean out the fluff from underneath.

Next, I oiled it at the various points shown in these photos of my 1949 Singer 15K hand machine.  I made sure that I had removed the foot, because oil seeps down the presser bar and can take a while to clean off the foot.  I could have removed the needle and needle clamp too, but I wasn't feeling particularly organised and methodical.  I also oiled underneath the machine.

Once oiled, I gave it a quick spin, and then left it for a couple of days with strategically placed tissues under the wheel and round the needlebar and presser bar to catch and absorb excess oil. 

All the old manuals recommend that after oiling a machine should be run hard, so the oil is well distributed.  So yesterday I gave it a fast and furious spin - terrific fun with the face plate off so you can marvel at the movement.  A table lamp was trained on the machine, the camera was resting on top of a tin, I had my finger on the shutter, and I was sitting at completely the wrong angle for treadling.  I rather chuffed with myself that I managed to get a mini video done.

And here is one I made earlier...

While making this video the machine made a big bang, which sounds less than half as loud on video as it did in real life.  I jumped out of my skin.  For a split second I thought I had broken the needle.  Then I realised that the presser bar had sprung itself down as a result of the vibrations and I had managed to record it on camera.

Moral of the story - run the machine hard with the foot off and presser bar down.  Better for the machine, and for owners of a nervous disposition.

Linking up with Connie's blog Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

Straight Stitch Machine Embroidery

The blanket stitch is done by hand, but the radiating lines in yellow and dark purple are done on the Singer 15K hand machine.  I have been having a few problems with the purple thread getting twisted around the take up lever, which can then make the thread twist itself around the needle.  If I don't spot it in time the thread snaps.  Very annoying.  The purple is cotton 50.  The yellow, however, which is from an ancient reel of Sylko cotton 40, is behaving itself perfectly.  I had a moan about this problem a little while ago. 

Anyway, I have just about finished this bit of stitched detail and am pleased with the result.  The colours are working well together.

This is all I am showing for now.  This is a detail of the doll quilt that I am making for Diane, my partner on the Doll Quilters' Monthly Swap.  It should be finished in a few days' time and ready to put in an envelope for a long flight to Minnesota.

This post is being linked to Barbara's blog Cat Patches for the July NewFO link up

Welcome to Letty P, the latest follower.  Thank you for joining!

Snapping Thread on the Singer 15K

When I first put the Singer 15K hand machine to serious use I found there was a problem with the thread occasionally breaking.  It took me a while to fathom out what was going on.  The thread was getting itself looped over the take up lever, pulling tight and snapping.

The next question was why was this happening with this machine, when I had never had the same problem with the 15K treadle.  The answer lay with the thread.  I have been using a cotton 50, just about the only thickness you can easily get these days, and there is too much twist to it. When you pull it off the reel, often it does not lie flat, but it has a curl to it.  When the take up lever goes down on the 15K it is right next to the tension discs, sometimes the slack thread twists, and it ends up looped over the lever.  This is especially likely to happen when you are going slowly, or doing work that entails lots of stops and starts, just the type of work best done on a hand machine rather than a treadle.

With the treadle I most usually do quilting, especially free motion work, which is faster and calls for thicker thread.  I have never had the thread snapping for this reason with the treadle.

The thread I use for quilting is Gutermann Sulky cotton 30.  It doesn't twist itself into trouble in the same way as the cotton 50.  Neither does the old fashioned Sylko 40, which I snaffle up in a trice when I see it in charity shops.

I have had to get myself into the habit of taking a quick look at the take up lever whenever I have to start sewing again after having to stop.  Irritating, but necessary.

What I am most pleased about, however, is that I can declare the machine innocent.  I blame the thread entirely.

Day Trip to Malvern for Quilts UK 2013

Today was my first chance to get a picture of the whole of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Quilt.

It was quite a thrill to see the Judges' Merit rosette attached to it.

There are lots of firsts associated with this quilt - first large quilt with appliqué, first large quilt quilted entirely at home, first quilt made using the quilt-as-you-go method, first quilt show, first ribbon...

When watching Leah Day's videos I remember her saying that to really get to grips with free motion quilting you just need to jump in and do a whole quilt, even if you just use one pattern on the quilt. I'm so glad I took her advice!  The meandering pattern I did gave the quilt an all over texture which set off the colours and shapes of the appliqué in a way I really liked. 

I often wonder whether Leah ever imagined that people would watch her videos and then get started with free motion quilting on a treadle! 

The show is well worth a visit if you can get there.  So many fabulous quilts!  I took loads of photos, but at the moment I'm not sure whether I will be able to post them here.  Show rules...  

Update Friday 17th May

This post is now being linked up to Leah Day's blog for Free Motion Friday.

Welcome to the latest follower, handMADEina - thank you for joining!

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments!  They are greatly appreciated.

Love, 
Muv

A Mention for the Machines on the Quilt Label

Today was the big day - a trip to Malvern to deliver the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Quilt to the Three Counties Showground for the Quilts UK 2013 exhibition later this week.  This is just a peep of part of the label on the back.  I thought the machines did so well, neither of them misbehaved once, so I gave them a mention on the label.

Exciting week ahead!

1949 Singer 15K Hand Machine

This is the machine I am using at the moment to assemble the quilted blocks shown in yesterday's post.  It is the Singer 15K that I cleaned up a little while ago.

The metal parts on the outside of the machine are in wonderful condition, but the inside was pretty mucky.

The rear inspection plate gave a nice self-portrait photo opportunity.

The machine is a lovely smooth runner.  We had a very brief contretemps at the beginning, but that's all behind us now.

Welcome to Ginger B, the latest follower.  Thank you for joining!

Free Motion Fiasco

Ten panels are now completed, and this is one of my favourite fabrics of the fat quarters that I have quilted this week.  It goes really well with the panels I did last week.  Pretty and delicate, and especially important when doing free motion quilting, I can see where I have already been.  

It wasn't so easy with this darker floral piece.  I have learnt that with a pattern I need to quilt in daylight rather than using artificial light.  I have an anglepoise lamp shining down from the windowsill just above me when I am treadling, so I can quilt paler, less busy fabrics in the evenings. 

This blue material was a complete pig to work with, even in natural light.  You can barely see the quilting on the right side because it blends in so well.  Hence the close-up.

This is the back of the blue panel.

The first nine panels turned out fine.  I waited until the tenth panel to make a complete and utter dog's dinner of it.  Some seriously bad and nasty rumpling had been going on underneath.  All carrying on from yesterday's botch job biscuits, I suppose.  It's because I have been using brushed cotton for the backing and it doesn't glide so easily.  I am determined to be blasé and not grumpy about it.  I intend to cut the panel into four smaller pieces, and these rumples fall where I shall be cutting.  I'll fudge the quilting into passable shape when I do the cutting.

This post is being linked to Leah Day's free motion quilting blog so you can follow the links and see what wonderful work is being done by some jolly clever quilters.




Special thanks to Mary Ellen, Laura Jean and Marianne for being so sweet about the dodgy looking biscuits.  I will have another go sooner rather than later.

Welcome to the latest follower, Sheree Isola.  Thank you for joining!

Playing Bobbin Roulette

Last week I bought a job lot of 32 bobbins from a charity shop knowing that they might fit my Singer 15K machines.  I knew they were the right type of bobbin, and I knew I would be lucky if half of them fitted.  Here is the first problem.  Some won't even fit onto the spindle of the bobbin winder.

The orange thread was already on the bobbin when I got it.  All the bobbins were wound with rubbish synthetic thread. 

Others will go on, but then the tab of the bobbin winder gets jammed between the two sides of the bobbin so the winder can't turn.

These are cheap and nasty modern bobbins.  You can recognise them fairly easily.  They have a join along the central tube, whereas vintage bobbins have a solid metal tube.

It is very irritating when you buy them from a sewing shop and end up having to take them back.   It is even worse getting duds through the post from a supplier.  However I was glad to get a load from a charity shop and pay over the odds and know the money was going to a good cause.  I might even get 15 good bobbins out of this little lot.

Tuesday's Top Tip - Preventing Snags on the Singer 15K

This is what I kept getting at the beginning of a line of stitching on the Singer 15K - this is the underneath of the work.  The black is the bobbin thread and the white the top thread.  I was getting these annoying snags when using the treadle and thought it was me doing sloppy footwork.  Then I found I got the same problem with the 15K hand machine that I have just cleaned up.  It must be to do with how the stitch is formed with the central bobbin mechanism.

The top thread forms a loop on the back of the work.  Sometimes it doesn't get caught in the stitches, so you can just pull it tight afterwards, but usually it ends up in a bit of a tangle as in the top picture.

The way to prevent this happening is to hold the end of the top thread when beginning a line of stitching.  This holds the thread firm so it doesn't get pulled underneath to form a loop.  Once two or three stitches have been done you can let go of the thread.

Welcome to two new followers today, Lourdes Johnson and Tammy Liddell - thank you for joining!

Practising Free Motion Quilting on the Singer 15K Treadle

Some things you just have to practise, so this week I decided to start using all the cheap and cheerful fat quarters I have stashed in my cupboard.  So far, all the free motion quilting I have done has been the same pattern, the meandering infill.  It was time to try something else.

As well as having lots of fat quarters in pretty cotton poplins, I have yards and yards of brushed cotton, left by my sister-in-law's mother.  She was a great one for making nighties and pyjamas for her grandchildren.

I have been making quilted panels with the fat quarters backed with brushed cotton.  The wadding is polyester.  This is a very economical project, and by the end of it I'm hoping to be confident with a range of patterns to use on my posher, more expensive projects.

Here are some views of the back of the panels:-

This one I started in the centre and worked out.

With this one I tried to keep the lines wavy.

This one looks like contour lines on a map.  O-Level geography and all those Ordnance Survey maps came flooding back to me.

Here is the front of the same panel.

I am going to cut each panel into four rectangles and make a bedspread for my daughter.  She is already looking forward to it, and particularly likes these strawberries.

This post has been liked to the Celtic Thistle Stitches blog, so you can visit other blogs where people have been trying out something new this month.  Plenty of inspiration and ideas there!

Welcome to four new followers today - Bea, MQuilter, Nancy and Sylvia.  Thank you for joining!

Oiling the Singer 15K

Here is the view inside the back inspection plate.  This was before I got rid of all the nasty brown residue.

At the top of the shaft that goes down into the pillar there is a tuft of fluff sticking up.  At this stage it just looks like part of the general muckiness.

Now a view of the top of the machine.  Beside the spool pin there is an unusually large oil hole.

Turn the wheel so the the head of the shaft is directly beneath the hole.  Here I have put a cocktail stick into the hole to go down inside... 

... to the top of the shaft.  This is where the fluff was sticking up.  In fact it is another of those little felt oil wells, like the ones at the top of the presser bar and needlebar.  When oiling the machine the wheel has to be turned so that the oil well is directly beneath the hole.  This hole is big enough for you actually to see down inside so you can see when the top of the shaft is in the right position for oiling.

Although the last picture isn't fabulously clear, I'm sure you get the general idea, and you might even have noticed that the machine is considerably cleaner than in the first picture.  All that rubbish had to be cleaned off before the oil went on. 

A Horror Story

And a truly hideous picture to match.  

This was the state of the innards of the 15K inside the back inspection plate.  Somebody decided they didn't need oil, so they just smeared the works liberally with vaseline.  It might have kept the machine turning, but it also combined with (or possibly caused) a degree of rust, leaving a thick dark brown greasy deposit which smelt, not surprisingly, of vaseline and rust.  I took this picture after I had already cleaned some of it off.  

It was the same story when I took off the stop motion screw - loads of vile greasy muck was hiding behind it.

The remedy was a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush dipped in paraffin.  I cleaned the back of the stop motion screw with neat washing up liquid.

The machine is now thoroughly cleaned and oiled and I am looking forward to giving it a good run.

Cleaning and Oiling a Singer 15K

At the moment I am cleaning up a 1949 Singer 15K hand machine.  When I bought it the metalwork was unusually clean and it turned well.  I polished up all the exterior metal and finally took off the faceplate yesterday.  This is what I found.

The needlebar and presser bar are completely clean.  There wasn't even any fluff in there, and none of the dried up residue of oil that is usually lurking behind the faceplate.

In this picture I have used a torch, so you can see there is a very thin yellowish film on the bars, so it must have been oiled at least once.  But I doubt that it was regularly oiled, because there is no trace of residue underneath the machine either.

This is where the oil needs to be applied.  The tops of the needlebar and presser bar are tubular and have wads of felt inside, which act as a reservoir for the oil.

Today I will be giving a generous soaking of oil to the felt at the top of the bars.

So if the machine was dry of oil behind the faceplate and underneath, why did it turn so well when I bought it?  All will be revealed tomorrow...

Good-bye 2012

To see the old year out, here is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Quilt, made entirely on two vintage machines, my 1927 99K hand machine and 1945 15K treadle, with hand stitched blanket stitch around the appliqué.  I finished it a few days before Christmas.  So far this is the best photograph I have been able to take.  Big quilt, small house, poor light...

Soon enough I hope to have better photos and will tell you a bit more about it, but we are expecting visitors today so I can't linger.

So whether your plans are for a quiet time or a riotous one tonight

Happy New Year!
Love,
Muv  xxx

Thank You Leah Day and Laga Lady

Free motion work is a bit of a leap into the unknown.  Not only do you have to get used to the fact that the machine can work in any direction, also, if you use only vintage machines, you have to shake off the notion that only modern fancy machines can do it.

It is about three years ago that I started looking on the internet at what was possible with vintage machines.  Imagine my delight on realising that I had the right model of treadle sitting in the house all along - it just needed a good clean up.

Then I discovered the wonderful Leah Day, the undisputed Queen of Free Motion Quilting.  There are too many patterns on her blog for me to try out in the years I have left to me.  Leah was wise - she started young.

Leah's Youtube videos are fantastic.  They show you everything you need to know about
how to move your hands and manage the movement of the work through the machine.  

Leah took care of the hands, but treadling is equally about the feet.

This is the lady to watch, doing free motion embroidery for handbags.  Her feet do not stop, she just keeps on going at an even speed.  She's so good at it she can take her eyes off her work and look up and smile at people.

Leah Day and the anonymous Laga Lady clinched it.  Between them they launched me into free motion quilting on the treadle.

The Best Vintage Machine for Free Motion Quilting

If you want to try free motion quilting on a vintage machine you need a Singer 15.  There were many minor variations over the years, for example, different stitch length levers, and on some the feed dogs drop.  My treadle is a basic Singer 15K (K just means it was manufactured in Scotland, in the factory at Kilbowie).  Singer 15s are easily recognisable by the tension discs, which are on the faceplate at the back. 

The bobbin is held in the bobbin case directly below the needleplate.  This is the central bobbin mechanism, and it is this method of stitch formation which allows the movement of the work necessary for free motion quilting.

Many other manufacturers made machines based on Singer 15s, in particular in Japan after the Second World War.  These machines are equally suitable for free motion work.

For a good look at this type of machine, you may want to watch the video with the threading instructions.

So if you have a treadle or electric Singer 15, or another manufacturer's copy, and want to have a go at free motion quilting, give it a try!

Treadling like Blazes

Yes, it's free motion quilting time.  It's a bit like jumping into cold water - you have to brace yourself. Then after a few days' practice you just stroll over to the sewing machine and casually blaze away for ten minutes and another section is completed.

Making the video was fun.  I will just let you imagine my feet.  My slippers kept slipping off so they were held in place with strips cut off an old pair of tights.  Also the lighting is tricky on wet November days and I managed to drop a lamp and smash it.  All in a day's work.