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Sewing Resources and Information

I’ve never tried it before but I read where someone did and couldn’t get it to run right. I believe they said it was to inconsistent in diameter.


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Makes sense. Wonder if it was fishing line or actual sewing thread that was tried?
 
Just sewed the ends of a mover's blanket to pass a rope through for a friend. It was hard to get it under the presser foot. I lowered the feed dogs and slid it under then raised them. The walking foot worked well to keep the top and bottom fabric aligned. The Necchi Supernova is a beast. It sat in the thrift store for 2 months in a giant cabinet. It was finally marked down to $16.99 and I bought it. It is one of my "keeper" machines. Built like a tank. Edit: I used the Gutermann upholstery thread from Joann's which is V-69.

 
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Does anybody know where I can pick up some Tera 20 (or 15) thread? I bought some on Etsy a while ago and now I can't find it anywhere. It's the best thread I've used and I much prefer the heavier Tera thread for some projects. Thanks!

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Does anybody know where I can pick up some Tera 20 (or 15) thread? I bought some on Etsy a while ago and now I can't find it anywhere. It's the best thread I've used and I much prefer the heavier Tera thread for some projects. Thanks!

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I was going to suggest the Thread Exchange but thought you wanted actual Guttermann thread. I don't know where to get that.
 
I was going to suggest the Thread Exchange but thought you wanted actual Guttermann thread. I don't know where to get that.

You are correct. I am looking for the Guttermann Tera 20 or 15. Unfortunately the thread exchange doesn't carry it.
 
Does anybody know where I can pick up some Tera 20 (or 15) thread? I bought some on Etsy a while ago and now I can't find it anywhere. It's the best thread I've used and I much prefer the heavier Tera thread for some projects. Thanks!

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Not many options from my looking...
 
I am looking to get a machine, maybe 2 eventually, each for different tasks.

Found a Consew 226R walking foot industrial machine, and it seems to be in good condition (would have to see in person to know forsure) for around $700, hopefully can negotiate a little too. I’m no expert but from researching it looks to be very heavy duty and capable of sewing webbing and other thick materials.

Also looking at a Singer 401a (or something similar) for around $100. This one has advantage of many stitch patterns like different zig zag, which I think would be useful to me, I’ve got some ideas for projects that may require stretch fabrics. Also seems like an easier machine to start with and work up to an industrial machine like the 226R

Consew seems like a better deal and much more capable for saddle hunting gear, but my sewing experience is limited. I’m worried the Consew might be a lot of machine for a novice. But then again $700 seems like too good of a deal to just pass up on!!! Other listings of the same machine I’ve seen are $1200-1400.

Can anyone provide some advice? Is something like the 401a the way to go for now? Or will I be kicking myself in a month or two when I want something with more power like the Consew?

Thanks in advance!


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I am looking to get a machine, maybe 2 eventually, each for different tasks.

Found a Consew 226R walking foot industrial machine, and it seems to be in good condition (would have to see in person to know forsure) for around $700, hopefully can negotiate a little too. I’m no expert but from researching it looks to be very heavy duty and capable of sewing webbing and other thick materials.

Also looking at a Singer 401a (or something similar) for around $100. This one has advantage of many stitch patterns like different zig zag, which I think would be useful to me, I’ve got some ideas for projects that may require stretch fabrics. Also seems like an easier machine to start with and work up to an industrial machine like the 226R

Consew seems like a better deal and much more capable for saddle hunting gear, but my sewing experience is limited. I’m worried the Consew might be a lot of machine for a novice. But then again $700 seems like too good of a deal to just pass up on!!! Other listings of the same machine I’ve seen are $1200-1400.

Can anyone provide some advice? Is something like the 401a the way to go for now? Or will I be kicking myself in a month or two when I want something with more power like the Consew?

Thanks in advance!


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If you're just starting, make sure that Consew has a servo motor, or you have some money set aside to buy one in addition to the machine.

If you buy the Consew first, you won't truly appreciate just how powerful and capable it is until you've owned a weaker machine like the 401a. You should probably get the 401a and suffer a bit so you can truly appreciate the industrial.... Seriously though, you will be wishing you had the more powerful machine the first saddle you try to sew. It sounds to me like you're just going to need two machines (at least).
 
Dang... I should’ve known I was going to end up going the more expensive route, classic Saddlehunter clearing out my wallet again! Thanks for the advice, I’ll look into the motor situation on the Consew.


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Dang... I should’ve known I was going to end up going the more expensive route, classic Saddlehunter clearing out my wallet again! Thanks for the advice, I’ll look into the motor situation on the Consew.


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If you need to install a servo motor, this is a good video to watch.
 
You will not regret going with the industrial machine but you will never really appreciate its awesomeness till you try and sew on something incapable of performing whatever task you are attempting.
 
Does the 226R look like a good buy at that $700ish price? Seems like a deal to me, but like I said I’m no expert, just researched it a bit.


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Does the 226R look like a good buy at that $700ish price? Seems like a deal to me, but like I said I’m no expert, just researched it a bit.


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It depends on where you're at. In Mid-Atlantic / New England, it's a bit high; they can be found for $400-500 (edit: less if you can live without reverse). However, they seem to get higher the further west you go.
 
I would agree with this...in my area (IA) I've been watching the used industrial machine market for a couple of years. I'm lucky to see a used walking foot machine even as low as $700.
 
That’s interesting. I’m in WI. I’ll keep that in mind though. I guess it will have to depend on the shape it’s in when I see it in person. Any specific things I should check on a used machine to judge the wear and tear on it?


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Would anyone who has one be willing to post the specific benefits, point by point of an industrial sewing machine? I made my first DIY saddle recently with a Singer class 15 type domestic machine and had no trouble. Is it just better fit and finish?
 
Would anyone who has one be willing to post the specific benefits, point by point of an industrial sewing machine? I made my first DIY saddle recently with a Singer class 15 type domestic machine and had no trouble. Is it just better fit and finish?

For me, the benefits of an industrial, specifically a walking foot industrial, are really simple:
- plenty of room under the needle and foot to feed multiple layers of webbing or thick materials
- power to punch through tough materials without any struggle; thick foam, plastics, as many layers of webbing as you want
- sufficient tension adjustment to handle the above without issue
- multiple layers of material feed easier with a walking foot machine; even more so with a triple feed (needle feed, walking foot, feed dogs)
- can generally handle larger threads easier than a domestic machine
- it's a badass tool

You can get jobs like a saddle done with a domestic machine, but you're usually operating at the outer limits of the machine. You will often find yourself having to hand wheel the machine a lot, or bury the needle before beginning a stitch to get through your materials. You may even have to change your design to adapt to the capabilities of your machine. Take a look at the Tethrd Mantis design, it has multiple areas with 4 layers of nylon webbing and at least one with 5 or 6 layers.
 
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