Hi all.

Started this thread after reading yet another member 'Being nice to the missus as he needs some sails sewn up!'

Come on guys…equality works both ways you know!

I know that there are a lot of good model makers out there who make up their own sails etc so this is not aimed at them although their input is always welcome.

It seems that Sewing machines are a bit of a grey area to most men which I struggle to comprehend as they are amazing machines and as easy to use as a scroll saw, even having a similar action.

Oh I know that they have a lot of apparently wierd things like Bobbins, foot pressures, Zig-Zag and even going backwards but as a bloke I find they are an incredible tool.

Like any new experience it is worth just having a play and maybe doing a bit of research. They won't cut your fingers off like the things we happily use all the time so what's the problem?. (Try reading the instruction book!!!)

If you can cut a straight line with a jigsaw, bandsaw or scroll saw, you can sew a straight line with a sewing machine, it's even easier in fact as the machine pulls the material through the machine at the rate it needs to sew properly, you don't have to push it or pull, cos if you do you'll break the needle or the cotton….big deal, it only takes slackening one screw to change a needle.

Get some scrap cloth, an old handkerchief, shirt or similar as cotton is probably the easiest material to sew…and just practice putting it through the machine. Even a basic machine has reverse which you can use to seal the ends or strengthen a seam, Turn the big knob to Zig Zag and give it a go, there will be another switch or button to alter the width and length of the zig-zag, and it will do that backwards as well.

Try stopping in the middle, make sure the needle is down in the cloth, then rotate the cloth 90 degrees, there you go, you've just done a corner.

If the wife is generous, or even slightly amused at the thought of her hunky man sweating over the sewing machine, ask her nicely to run through winding a bobbin and threading the machine up..there are usually at least two threads for normal sewing….keep it simple. Practice this a few times as if not properly threaded all sorts of horrible annoying things happen.

Before I go on too long, there is an amazing book for beginners….all pictures.. a bit like reading a kit build booklet, which I know you can do….Its called…The Simplicity Sewing Book. This is like the sewers bible and covers more than you'll ever need. Most women who sew will have a copy.

Just so you know that I know a bit about this, I was head of Design and Technology in secondary schools for many years (38) and a Tutor for Student teachers of D&T at 2 famous universities in London. Needlework was a subject under the D&T banner but many schools didn't offer it because of staff costs.

It is one of the things I regard as a Life Skill and so over the years I have promoted it alongside Wood, Metalwork etc in my departments. Over 35 years of doing this, teaching kids from 11 years up, boys and girls, I have never met one that couldn't get the hang of using a sewing machine after a few lessons.

Apart from Model Boats etc. I also make period Costumes for stage production and Drama groups and it is as enjoyable as modelling…Making is Making after all and as DM often says.."I have done a couple of these before"

Go on guys give it a go…at least you can do it indoors and you'll have an expert to call on if needed.

I'm happy to answer any queries from beginners should there be any.

RON REES.

By 'Expert' I meant….the wife!! in my earlier post………….

RON.

(I know …an Ex is a has been and a Spurt..a drip under pressure!.)

Hi Harry,

Yes, I know what you mean. (been there, got the T shirt)

I did see an immaculate Frister Cub 7 machine in our local charity shop, case, all the bits and hardly used…£20. Top quality all metal, German engineering from 25 years ago and it worked a treat as the lady in the shop said I think it works OK, so I tested it for her, even had a swatch of material under the presser food. So there are plenty out there because the younger generation don't use them hardly and they clear them out!

That's cheaper than 2 prop shafts.

No I agree, Live long…and prosper!

RON.

(Did I buy it….course I did…those machines will sew leather!)