The Kitebuilder.com Forum

mike377567151 · Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 3

I'm new to kitebuilding, but want to build foil traction kites, using mylar or whatever fabric you experts recommend. Question: can someone please recommend one or more sewing machines that will handle my intended plan. Any other indispensible tools that I need? Thanks so much for any info you can provide. Mike Oberlin. Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.A.

wdrwilson · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 10:55 pm Post subject:

Hi And welcome to the forum!!!

If you can find one a Pfaff 1222 or 1222E is a wonderful machine!! They were made by Pfaff in the late 60's and early 70's. You should be able to find them on ebay. Make sure to enquire about the black insulation cord on the top of the machine as some models had problems with the rubber/plastic breaking down and ooozing into the bowels of the machine.

Cheers,
Bill

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

Traction foils generally use mostly straight stitches, so old "granny" Singers work well. Some beautiful traction kites are made with old Kenmores, Singers and Brothers from garage sales.

I've made some traction kites with my White 1919, an ordinary cheap machine, and it works fine.

And now, we return to the Pfaff Pfaithful... Laughing

Stan

Dorsal · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 11:34 pm Post subject:

Pfaff schmaff ! My only recommendation is that you definitely want to own a sewing machine, 'cause hand-stitching is hard work. Beyond that, establish what budget you are willing to spend, and go get a machine.
After all, there are some people who'd recommend you buy a H2 Hummer for your next vehicle, because they feel Hummers are worth it - but I think they are about the stupidest looking, most impractical and worthless piece of vehicular trash ever devised to drag the wallets out of the pockets of really stupid, pretentious people.
In other words, everyone has an opinion. Go buy a machine and form your own opinion, then you'll have one too.
Smile

_________________
Dennis

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: So Cal

I'm glad you said it, Dennis. I was Pfearful to provoke the Pfaffanistas.

Stan

skydino · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 53 Location: TX

Dorsal , Rum here .

Dennis PLZ post thast site with the sewing machines on it .

You had put it up on a thread when you talked about your $129 American Denim by Simplicity ??

If for nothing else it gives one an Idea what a used machine is worth .
Oh another thing to keep in mind is that it costs about $59.99 to clean and adjust a machine at a service store !!

New can be cheaper , but running one out of a garage sale for 15 to 20 is a good learning curve too !

It's that nut on the very end of a machine that's what makes it work good or not .

Kitesquid · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 8:16 am Post subject:

There are many diffrent brands and price levels of sewing machines.

before you go any farther plesase read THIS ARTICLE written by Gary Engval.

Your machine HAS to be able to sew light fabrics as well as heavy fabrics without dropping stitches and to be able to peirce many layers of reinforcing material.

You have to be able to sew a strate stitch and you may want to have a zigzag also.

All other things that a machine does are nice to have features and they include but are not limited to

Needle up

Needle down

Low bobbin indicator

automatic tie off

automatic back tack

thread cutter

decotrative stitches

Dual feed

walking foot attachment

true walking foot

or what I want..... walking needle!!!! which means that the only time the fabric moves is when the needle is in the fabric so the layers cannot move in refrence to eachother. This is EXPENSIVE!!!! but we can dream cant we?

If you get a used machine I recomend that you have it serviced before you try to sew on it. If a machine has been stored for any length of time the oils and greases can gum up and make the machine unable to make a good stitch.

If you buy a machine from a dealer you should be offered free classes. TAKE THEM and disregard the comment that you shold never adjust the bobbin tension.

I recomend that you take some fabric and thread that you inted to ues in your kite building to a dealer and sew on all the macines they have on the floor and mess wiht the tensions and all the features to see what you want and what you need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all can sew a kite on a $10,000 or a machine that I found next to a trash can on trash day... as long as you can repair it or adjust it or maybe just clean and oil it...it depends on how hard you want to work and how much money you want to spend.

On the big dollar macines, I still only used a straight and zigzag stitch....
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Progcraft · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 8:30 am Post subject:

Here's 2 cents from a novice.
When I decided to start kitebuilding, I too had the same question (everyone did). I found all the same information Kitesquid and the others just laid out (albeit I didn't get it in one nice little package)
My final descision took all that into consideration, but the ultimate deciding factor was price. I picked a price range within my meger budget then hunted down every machine in town that fit. Turns out, they were all pretty much the same. My final decision was a Kenmore 27 stitch machine. And I'm quite happy with it. The biggest factor in deciding to go with this machine was is in fact the sales lady. She treated me nicer then any of the others. Was more helpfull, willing, and, well, nicer to me.
I like my machine. I've become very comfortable and confident with it and yet, it has no advanced features like needle up/down, true walking foot, or much else. It does have a needle threader and horizontal drop in bobbin (nice and easy and hassle free to use) and I have bought a add on walking foot cause they're cheap and seem to work.

So, your on the right track so far Mike. Get as much knowledge as you can. Load up on info. It's always good. But, don't let yourself get caught up in fancy jargon or features. But, always, always, always ask about warranty if your buying new Smile

Cheers,
Progcraft.

Dorsal · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 11:40 am Post subject: Sewing machine links.

Rum - I think the links you were talking about were either http://www.allbrands.com/index.php or http://www.sewvacdirect.com . Cruising those sites will give you a lot of knowledge about pricing and options. Smile

Also, the AllBrands site has a sewing Forum that's monstrous. A lot of nice people there, (mostly into embroidery and quilting) who are very forward with whatever information, help and hints you need.

Another thing to consider is service for your machine. You might pay a little more at the local sewing store (and what's wrong with supporting your local businesses?), but the local store will probably be able to, or have a connection with a shop that will, service your machine. Some online outlets have great prices BECAUSE they know that's the last time they will ever see the machine - they do not offer services, and have nothing to do with warranty issues either. I bought mine right here in town, 'cause the lady there was very helpful and paid attention when I showed her the material I would be working with. She didn't go to the most expensive machine in the store - she showed me the ones that would work with .5 oz. Icarex and would sew thru 4 layers of seatbelt Webbing without breaking a sweat.
_________________
Dennis

wdrwilson · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 12:23 pm Post subject:

Hi all,

I agree with Dorsal... Service is essential. I purchased my machine used from my local sewing shop. Wow what a great bunch of people, and if something goes wrong you know you always have someone to call, and go see on short notice if necessary.

Good luck,
Bill

Spence602 · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 74 Location: USA TX Houston

What does anyone think of this machine?

It's a "Euro Pro 9025 Computer Assisted"

50 Stitch Functions; 32 Built -In Stitches
Extra-large LED Screen offers step-by-step instructions in picture form
Built-In automatic buttonhole with adjustable WIDTH control
Decorative, utility & stretch stitches including double overlock stitch
Independent adjustable stitch length
One motion threading with precision engineered built-in tension
Adjustable foot pressure
Infinite number of needle positions from extreme left to extreme right
Adjustment for stretch stiches
Solid metal construction & metal gears
Independent adjustable width control on all stitches gives unlimited creative possibilities
Built-in automatic needle threader
Convenient free-arm with built-in accessory compartment
Each machine is inspected, tested and sewin-in by Euro Pro's expert technicians in North America
Accessories Included:
Seam Ripper; Cleaning Brush; Oiler; Set of Needles (Includeing Twin Needle); Quilting Guide; Snap-on Zig-Zag Foot (regular foot); 3 Bobbins; 2 screw-drivers; 2 Felt-Pads

Bonus Added Value:
Zipper Foot
Buttonhole Foot
Blindstitch Foot
Narrow Hemming Foot
Satin Stitch Foot
Quilting Foot
Button Sewing Foot
Darning/Embroidery Foot
Overlock Foot
Straight Stitch Foot
Gathering Foot
Deluxe Hard Case Included!
Manufacturers 25 year mechanical and 2 year electrical warranty
Shipping charge is $14

Availability: Usually ships the same business day.

europro-9025Regular price: $499.00Our Price: $269.99
_________________
Spence
www.kiteshark.com

Kitesquid · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:26 pm Post subject:

About the Euro Pro.

I would have to try one out before buying.

Does anbody want an all metal machine????? NEW???

I don't have one but 5 people in one of the clubs I am a member of has them and love em.... I have sewn a few stitches on one tho... Nice all metal machine...

http://www.tailorsewingmachine.com

They put MSRP on the web order foum but if you call them the prices are

$199 and $249

for the 2 diffrent machines.

When I need a new machine I will look at them. Bullet proof and afordable, but not many bells and whistles.

Not dual feed or a walking foot, but you could put on an attachment.

A machinest friend recomended them to me and if they are his favorite, I would take a close look at one.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

marty · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Arlington, MA USA

I'm a Pfaff Pfanatic. I've got an 1171, a mechanical machine with the even feed foot.

I use 4 stitches in all of my sewing, straight, zig-zag, three step zig-zag, and a sort of scalloped stitch that I use for felled seams.

I have found that the even feed foot makes sewing faster and easier for me. Do you need it? Of course not, but my next machine for general sewing will have an even feed foot, walking foot, or needle feed.

One feature that I really like a lot and haven't seen on that many machines is the bobbin low indicator. I really like not having to pay attention to how much thread is left on the bobbin. The light goes off when I have around 5 feet of thread left, which gives me enough thread to figure out where to stop the stitch to reload the bobbin.
_________________
Gentle breezes...

Marty Sasaki
Arlington, MA USA

Kitesquid · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

If you sew a lot with a machine you will get to were you can hear the bobbin getting low.

I am not at that point but my Grandmother could do it....

If you dont want to guess, wind 2 bobbins.

Put one in the machine in the normal place.

Put the other on the spool pin and thread the top thread from it. you can just glance over to see how much more thread you have left.

There are many that use this trick...
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

marty · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Arlington, MA USA

I like that trick Harold. I'll have to remember it next time I'm stuck sewing on a machine without a bobbin low indicator.
_________________
Gentle breezes...

Marty Sasaki
Arlington, MA USA