Quote:
Originally Posted by Cruiser2B
Just curious as to what machine you have, i have few projects like weather cloths and an extension on my boom tent> lady at marina says almost any machine can handle that type of job....not too sure. what are planning for yours? |
I did not find
Google that revealing on WTF a Singer 9020 was all about. But the advice taken (I am now on a
Sewing Machine Forum
) was that the machine I have is pretty much middle of the road / nothing special / does what a
sewing machine does
. (but it has Zig Zag - which I understand to be useful (important?) for my intended use, although some appear to disagree).
Best I can tell it dates from the early 80's, and leaving aside those who rave about older models being better than the modern stuff (does that sound familiar?!) the "word on the street"
is that anything is pretty much good enough to do most things - even if not as well / easily as some......the caveat being that heavier work will probably ruin / burn out a "Normal" machine sooner or later, but at Free that not really a concern for me. I will be starting with the lighter work anyway, mostly because it will be easier!
In any event my machine has been appraised with a market value IRO £20!, so even if the machine goes pop early doors that not such a biggie to replace like for like s/h (or by then I will have a better handle on whether I want to go for something better (Sailrite etc) or simply then be happy spend the
money on a professional!).
I appreciate that those who
do know better are probably giggling at my naivete as I type
. But it's fun being a Newbie
.
My Project list (Wishlist?!) sounds pretty much similar to your own - except a bit longer! (maybe 2 years of work, at least at my likely rate of progress).
DOJ's Wishlist:-
For Father (mostly test pieces!)
Repair Boat Cover - lightweight tarpaulin - seperated in half due to the
wind, straight down the middle (glue & stitching came unstuck like a zipper!). Nice and straight with appearance not mattering should mean a good test piece.
Repair Motorhome Winter Cover - I think it is Sunbrella or similar. Lots of chafe holes (presently fixed with lots of gaffer tape!). Unfortunately it is pretty much UV'd out - so the fix with the sewing machine might actually finish it off by creating "tear here" lines! In any event only looking for a couple more years, will probably be sold by then (Father the thick end of 80). Again, appearance of the patches not critical - so should be another good test piece.
New Boat Windscreen Cover - Partly to simply shade the wheelhouse, but also to keep prying eyes away from the
dock (which has public access). That will probably be somewhere down the list (once me skills improve), as a nice finish would be......nice
, albeit functionality more important. But essentially simply a large oblong sheet / tarpaulin with plenty of wiggle room on fit.
For Me! (S/v Wayluya)
Window Shades (interior) - I already have them made from Vinyl offcuts, I just want to edge them with some
fabric trim. The Vinyl (2 pieces and some glue) is probably the equivalent of 2 (3?) layers of Denim.
Storage Bags - For a few things that live in the bilges, don't have to be waterproof just makes certain things easier to remove and then wander around with, like a coil of garden hose / a coil of
electrical wire (for shorepower). If things go well maybe even a new (larger bag) for an
inflatable dinghy. For all these I am thinking of using some old
sails I already have. Appearance secondary to functionality. and with the material "free" starting again not a great problem!
Saloon Bunk (Cushion) Covers - The
cushions themselves are made of red vinyl, now 42 years old! and whilst a bit faded (and could do with a
really good clean) there is nothing wrong with them. They unzip so at some point new foam would be a no brainer (even for me!). But I do want to add some covers (loose fit?) both for appearances sake (I am so so on bright red!) and also so that
cleaning is an easy remove and stuff into a
washing machine every year (or 3!). I have a couple of ideas on what I think would work for me - will bounce ideas off folks here a bit later, when this project goes "live"!
Repair Winter Cover - It's a heavy tarpaulin. Been onboard all winter for 3 years now and has a few places that need patching. I have done a bit already with needle and thread, I don't mind that - just that a sewing machine would be quicker! and would allow me to customise the fit a bit better (my last tool for that was mainly a hammer! and some pop studs).
Aft Cabin Bunk Cushion - I have 2 already, but am converting the 2
single berths into a double, so will need a double bunk cushion. It will be the only cushion in there so does not need to match the others on the boat. Original plan was to get done proffessionally, but am tempted to have a go myself (with professionally being plan B!). Time will tell how that goes, as not a priority at the moment - I only use that
cabin for
storage at present.
Sunshade - Really little more than a large oblong tailored tarpaulin over the boom (to make an open ended tent). Am thinking of using an old sail for that (or a lightweight Tarpaulin?), at least for version 1!
Cockpit Cover (aft) - I already have a Sprayhood (Dodger) over the front part of the
cockpit (essentially does the same job as a car windscreen!).....but adding a back half means the
cockpit becomes fully enclosed (like a tent). Annoyingly I actually have 2 aft cockpit covers already! But they don't fit
(came with the boat and probably fitted onto a previous Sprayhood, long since worn out and gone). I dunno whether I will use the sewing machine to "make" them fit or start from scratch. Will decide on that once I get an idea of my capabilities with the Sewing Machine!
I have my first sewing machine (Singer 9020)
.
....and even if I bugger it up along the way should be a good training tool. 
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