Does anyone know what these are?

[hamster]

Over the summer, I acquired a beautiful Singer treadle machine on ebay (for a fiver!!) and have been gradually cleaning it, oiling it and giving it lots of tlc. It came with three 'bits' that I can't identify. I seem to have it working regardless (i.e. I can pedal away and it turns the wheel and moves the needle up and down so as to make holes in a piece of paper) and I can't see an obvious place where these things should go. Someone suggested I post photos of them to see if any of you could identify them, so if you know what these are and where they go, I would be very grateful indeed.

1)

Small round thing made from 2 flat discs joined by a hollow tube thing. Each of the discs has a little hole in and they don't match up.

2)


Can't really describe this one.

3)


Or this one. The photo's a bit blurry too. One end of it looks like the second one.


I'd be really grateful if anyone can help, but don't worry if not.... it is a bit of a peculiar request!


Edited to fix pictures!

[Shirley]

the first one looks like the spool for under the machine - you wind thread onto it and then insert into the space to get the bottom thread for your machine.

God I'm sure someone can explain that better lol.

[red]

the first one looks like a bobbin yes - although it might not be the right kind for your machine. my old singer has a bullet shaped bobbin case and a bobbin which is a lot thinner.. but my newer electric singer has a bobbin just like the one in your picture.

dont recognise the other bits - sorry!

[mrsflibble]

if you want some more bobbins I can send you some. they will fit your machine. most bobbins are universal, but modern ones are made from plastic and can't take the strain of a proper metal machine.
the bottom one looks like a zipper foot, and the middle one I have no idea but take a look round this site at the photos and you might find something similar. I'll also extrract my ancient russing thuingummy and have a look for ya.

http://www.jerryfried.co.uk/catalogue/45

[Annpan]

I agree, the first one is certainly a bobbin. - In my (new-ish) Brother sewing machine the bobbin is wound with thread on a special bit on the top of the machine, just to the front and right of the main spool holder. You put the bobbing on and push it to the right till it clicks. From what I remember of my mums old electric Singer, it was the same... it's probably a standard size for electric sewing machines, the old ones I had all fit my new machine.

The bobbin sits inside a metal case which has a handle on it and a screw at the side which is to adjust the tension. This case fits into the lower part of the machine -through a small access panel in the front, just under the needle. The needle at the top, when properly threaded, drops through the hole, wraps the thread around the lower bobbin and pulls the bottom thread up and through the hole at the base of the sewing platform.

The holes in the top and bottom disks of the bobbin are to assist in the winding of the spool - you push the end of the thread through the small hole and hold the end of it while you let the machine wind the thread round.

It could well be different for treadle machines, I have never used one.

As for the other 2... I don't know
They might be for specialist sewing, number 2 looks like it might hold something at a strange angle... could be for leather stitching - bags and belts???

I have many odd bits for my machine, button holers, double stitching bits,etc... but I had the instruction manual, otherwise, I'd never had guessed what they were.


I didn't mean to write a thesus on it , it is pretty difficult to explain without just being able to show someone, but I hope that helps.

[QuakerBear]

1 = a bobin, best to have a couple so you don't have to keep rewinding them with different coloured thread.

2= ?

3= a foot, can't see from the picture but it might be a differnt type from already on the machine.

[mrsflibble]

right, I dug out my ancient machine cos it is converted from foot-run to electric so I guess it's sort of relevant.

the bobbin goes in a case which you should find under the needle end of the machine. i can never remember which way to stick it in the case (thread clockwise or anti clockwise), but it's pretty self explanatory as when you start stitching, if it's in the wrong way the stitches wont hold.

this is how to thread the bobbing on my machine. first, locate this bit

now this will either be a trun-y knob, or it will have a switch. flick the switch down or turn the knob anti clockwise while keeping the big wheel still. done that? good.

now if your machine is anything like mine, thread it like this:



now pedal with all your might. the machine will fill the bobbin with cotton. do not attempt to do this by hand or your sewing will never have the right tension. also never use a threaded bobbin from another machine, again for tension reasons. you may need to hold the bobbin against the big wheel if your machine's rubber bits are worn and well used like mine. on my modern machine however, the main spool of cotton sits on top and the bobbin goes next to it and gets threaded a different way.

hope this helps a bit. :D

[hamster]

Thanks so much everyone! MrsF, you know so much! I am in awe!

I think I've just about figured out how, in theory, to get the bobbin to fill with thread, but the little wheel is so stiff it took me forever. Need to get that bit working smoothly now!

Here's a photo of the bit where the bobbin goes on my machine.




Edited to say: It looks like it's rusty, but that's actually the light.

[red]

looks like your machine is a lot older than Mrs Fs

re the bobbin, have you found the bobbin casing under the foot? you should be able to see what kind you need for your machine.

heres mine
to wind the bobbin it fits into a part at the front and the the wheel flips up to connect with the large wheel on the side.. there is a heart shaped cam, which makes the thread wind back down the bobbin... pretty cool really...

[hamster]

Oooh, I've just found a secret compartment! Right, underneath the foot, there is indeed a small round hole where the bobbin goes. (It even has a little lever to get it out again, which I didn't discover until I'd spent ages fiddling around with a pen....) The one I have seems to fit exactly. So do I fill it up with thread on the bit next to the wheel, and then put it in the compartment underneath to use it?

[Silver Ether]

Could the second one be a fabric guide? if there is a small screw hole possibly to the right of the foot a screw could go throught the hole on the said object... but it doesnt look like any guide that I have used but got that sort of look to it. If it is you set in to help keep your line of stitching going summat like straight ... I find the more trouble than use ...

[mrsflibble]

Thanks so much everyone! MrsF, you know so much! I am in awe!
.

thanks, but my mum in law is the one to be in awe of. she's the one who if you sit her in front of any kind of sewing machine, she will instantly know how to thread it and wind bobbins. she seems to have a sixth sense about it.

[snapdragon]

I had a box full of suchlike goodies with my 1950's electric that I bought as a side table (the guy in the seconhand shop couldn't sell it as a sewing machine aparently) I'll attempt to identify your pics with the stuff in the box


ah if I could find the box

looks a little like a darning foot with a bit missing

[Esther.R]

I have the full instructions for my 1909 treadle machine if you want them photocopied and sent down? The bobbin you have there is the same as the ones that fit my machine. Mine was a bit more pricey - it cost me £45 from the local 'scrapstore' (recycling project) serviced with all its instructions and extra bits (like you I still have some extra feet etc I haven't identified!), it is one that folds down into its table - making it ideal for a croft house without much space!

[Ellendra]

2 and 3 both look like diferent foot attachments, #2 looks sideways, maybe for doing inside curves, like when attaching sleeves?

-Ellendra