[SustainableTompkins] repairing sewing machines

[Jan Quarles]

There are so few people today who have the skills and parts to repair old 
sewing machines, so we're lucky that, every other Tuesday behind Thayer's 
Applicances in Ithaca, one of them comes to town. His name is Jack Sutliffe, 
and his arrival is announced in the Pennysaver. He's there today (Aug 14) 
and will be there 2 wks from now (Aug 28), from 9:30 am to 3 pm.  I took him 
the 1950 Singer which my mother passed on to me. Jack did a great job 
repairing the foot pedal and sluggish motor. He's affordable, has lots of 
parts, knows everything about sewing machines, and has a bunch of machines 
that he has 'saved,' now for sale there. He offers advice freely, so I'm 
sure he'd be a good resource for Wendy -- both for advice and parts, if not 
repairs themselves. (You can call Thayer's just to verify which weeks Jack 
is there: 273-6611.)

- Jan Quarles


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wendy Skinner" <ws at twcny.rr.com>
To: "Sustainable Tompkins County listserv" 
<sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:54 AM
Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Help restoring old sewing machines


> As you may know, a group of Ithaca-area sewing enthusiasts is on a quest 
> to
> establish "sustainable sewing" classes and refashioning workshops in the
> community. As part of this activity, I have put out a call for free or 
> cheap
> serviceable sewing machines. Rashly, I accepted three vintage Singers,
> dating from 1910-1925, rescued from a yard sale and not at all 
> serviceable.
> Once I got the dirt off them, though, they revealed their beauty. For the
> most part, the mechanical workings are remarkably solid and smooth, but 
> the
> wiring on the motors looks treacherous. I'm looking for books or 
> instruction
> sheets on how to repair these babies, or better yet, someone who might 
> want
> to tutor me. I don't know how practical these machines are for teaching
> sewing, but I have heard that many 100-year-old machines are still used 
> and
> loved. I am certainly in love with these graceful goddesses, now posing in
> various states of dismantlement on my dining table. I'd love to get them
> working again. What a great example of reuse of durable goods!
>
> Meahwhile, if you have a "serviceable" sewing machine, of any age, that 
> you
> would like to donate to the project, let me know. Also, our group (which 
> is
> discussing the formation of a sustainable sewing collective) is planning a
> fabric and needle arts rummage sale in the fall to help support the sewing
> classes. Maybe you could be thinking about something you could donate to 
> the
> sale.
>
> If you'd like more info on the nascent sewing collective, efforts to
> organize classes, or another fashion reuse contest I'm cooking up, please
> drop me a note. And, as always, sustainability collaborators, supporters,
> and fellow travelers are welcome!
>
> Wendy
> ws at twcny.rr.com
> 277-7611
>
>
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