I've spent a lovely weekend with my father doing this, too. Essex Miniature Sewing Machines mark 1 & 2, and a Jones fiddlebase 8. Thank you so much for the coconut oil hint. I love all my sewing machines, I love making them work, I love their place in history and how they changed lives for the better. I love their beauty and engineering, and I no longer go to any car boots or charity shops where there might be one or more because it breaks my heart not to save them from the dump.
I know this is a long shot as this video was a while ago , but I have recently purchased this lovely machine, however its catching on the underneath of the mechanism hook that forms the chain stitch, cotton build up around this and stops the machine from working, I was wondering if you could shed some light on perhaps helping me out. thanking you in advance :-)
I gave mine a really good soak with WD40 a couple of months ago as I started having the same issue. I dismantled the machine components, put them it a tupperwear lined with kitchen paper towels and sprayed a load of wd40 in the tub and left it overnight. Then gave everything a really good clean and a polish with a soft cloth. Re assembled it, applied singer sewing machine oil and then it's working okay. Another common issue is that the spike that picks up the thread in the under carriage can get scratched or bent if the machine needle youre using is too long. I'd recommend using Organ needles for the essex miniature rather than standard modern needles. Hope that helps!
I haven't because it begins to struggle a little with 4 layers of quilting cotton even with a brand new needle. I'd recommend a larger machine like a hand crank Singer with a bobbin. While chain stitch machines are often used with leather the way this one is set up I just don't think it has the heft for anything other than a very thin, flexible leather or suade. Hope that helps 💕
Thanks so much for your reply. I came across a mk1 that has a motor and the seller can ship it to me (that's nice, but it means I can t test it). I thought I could use it for leather but as well for embroidery too.. cause both chainstitch and leather machines are big and expensive! thanks so much for the tips!
I've spent a lovely weekend with my father doing this, too. Essex Miniature Sewing Machines mark 1 & 2, and a Jones fiddlebase 8. Thank you so much for the coconut oil hint. I love all my sewing machines, I love making them work, I love their place in history and how they changed lives for the better. I love their beauty and engineering, and I no longer go to any car boots or charity shops where there might be one or more because it breaks my heart not to save them from the dump.
Awesome! I find it so hard not to adopt all the orphaned sewing machines I see in charity shops too. 💕
Hi! You don’t happen to have access to the manual for the mk2 do you?
I do. If you want to know anything drop me a message on Instagram if you're on there @zoes_story and I can send photos
I know this is a long shot as this video was a while ago , but I have recently purchased this lovely machine, however its catching on the underneath of the mechanism hook that forms the chain stitch, cotton build up around this and stops the machine from working, I was wondering if you could shed some light on perhaps helping me out. thanking you in advance :-)
I gave mine a really good soak with WD40 a couple of months ago as I started having the same issue. I dismantled the machine components, put them it a tupperwear lined with kitchen paper towels and sprayed a load of wd40 in the tub and left it overnight. Then gave everything a really good clean and a polish with a soft cloth. Re assembled it, applied singer sewing machine oil and then it's working okay.
Another common issue is that the spike that picks up the thread in the under carriage can get scratched or bent if the machine needle youre using is too long. I'd recommend using Organ needles for the essex miniature rather than standard modern needles.
Hope that helps!
Hi! have you ever tried this with leather?
I haven't because it begins to struggle a little with 4 layers of quilting cotton even with a brand new needle. I'd recommend a larger machine like a hand crank Singer with a bobbin.
While chain stitch machines are often used with leather the way this one is set up I just don't think it has the heft for anything other than a very thin, flexible leather or suade.
Hope that helps 💕
Thanks so much for your reply. I came across a mk1 that has a motor and the seller can ship it to me (that's nice, but it means I can t test it).
I thought I could use it for leather but as well for embroidery too.. cause both chainstitch and leather machines are big and expensive! thanks so much for the tips!