Date: 6/25/09 12:02 PM

Frequently when I'm sewing, I think "I wish a sewing machine had this feature, or could do this, etc". So I thought, what could the perfect generic sewing machine look like? Features that pretty much every basic machine should have. I thought it might be fun to each add our wish list. I'll start.

1. Wider throat is standard. I don't want super fancy computerized embroidery, but seems like the only machines with wide throats come with all the other stuff and it drives the price up.

2. Let's talk bobbins. I hate winding them. I'd like to see a machine designed that could take a regular old spool of thread in the bobbin, similar to how the top thread works.

3. Needle down standard. Is there a time when one actually prefers needle up that I'm not aware of?

Have fun!
Cindy

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Reply to CindyHa
Date: 6/25/09 12:50 PM

As I get older, I find myself wishing for more light, specifically broad spectrum light. And some sort of magnifying feature. I'd like for the pressure foot to be able to "read" the fabric and adjust the feed dogs accordingly. I'd definitely want a start/stop button and a free arm. I'd like it to be heavy duty enough to sew through leather and canvas and multiple layers of thick terry. I don't mind the plastic skin but I want metal inner workings. I want it computerized and I'd want any stitch editing to be as easy as editing on a real computer.

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Melody

http://crazedsewer.blogspot.com/

hmmmm...

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Subject: Lets design a sewing machine from scratch! Date: 6/25/09 1:51 PM

I was going to more light too!!
Needle up/down.
Push button thread cutter.

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Reply to CindyHa
Date: 6/25/09 2:12 PM

This is easy, needs a color touch screen (hrm I just posted this in a different post)...and a real USB port that just takes a USB stick. I'd settle for a reasonably priced machine that takes the stick since that would make my life so much easier. Color screen would be extremely cheap to put on even relatively inexpensive machines.

Can you tell I've been trolling ebay for a D1 again?

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JillyBean
http://craftysupreme.etsy.com

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Subject: Lets design a sewing machine from scratch! Date: 6/25/09 2:18 PM

Speed.

My 1928 Wilcox & Gibbs industrial runs at a blindingly-fast 4,400 stiches per minute and my 2001 Bernina runs at only 880 sitches per minute.

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Sewing = Fashion
http://coudremode.com/

Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

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Reply to PhyllisC
Date: 6/25/09 2:27 PM

4,400...hrm...I'd probably do myself bodily harm with something that moves that fast!!!:)

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JillyBean
http://craftysupreme.etsy.com

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Reply to PhyllisC
Date: 6/25/09 3:11 PM

Quote:

My 1928 Wilcox & Gibbs industrial runs at a blindingly-fast 4,400 stiches per minute

Omigosh! How do you hold onto your fabric? I thought my 626 touch and sew was fast, but yours is out of this world!

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"Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm" -- Aldo Leopold
http://tree-sister.blogspot.com
"Don't cry; don't be sad; make happy"--Peggy Jones. Rest your weary body, dear friend.

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Reply to CindyHa
Date: 6/25/09 3:23 PM

Hmm. This requires some thought. I have six machines and all of their features are what I would want in a new machine. So I'll take the best of all of them here and design one.
1. Bobbin winds in the machine; I don't have to take it out, don't have to rethread. Just push a button and it winds. (Touch and Sews, 9217).
2. The needle is slanted so I can see what I am doing and I can thread it easier. (Touch and Sews, 9217, 301)
3. The machine is very quiet. (Janome, Singer 221K)
4. The light is strong (Janome)
5. The machine is light enough to carry (Singer 221K, 301)
6. The main parts are metal (the ones that would wear out quickly) but the rest of the machine can be plastic. (Touch and Sews, 221K and 301)
7. It has a free arm with storage. (9217, Janome)
8. Multiple stitches (Touch and Sews, 9217, Janome)
9. Has machine quilting patterns built in (none in my "arsenal", but would like a Singer Quantum CXL)
10. The machine has a chainstitch for muslins (Touch and Sews)
11. The machine has a regular throat plate that can be interchanged when I'm using knits, so they don't get "eaten" in the feed dogs (Touch and Sews, 9217, 221K, 301)
12. The all time biggest "design feature"--- It came with a repairman close by that was familiar with it and would charge a reasonable price for repair.

------
"Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm" -- Aldo Leopold
http://tree-sister.blogspot.com
"Don't cry; don't be sad; make happy"--Peggy Jones. Rest your weary body, dear friend.

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Reply to CindyHa
Date: 6/25/09 3:30 PM

Quote: keithcindy

"Let's talk bobbins. I hate winding them. I'd like to see a machine designed that could take a regular old spool of thread in the bobbin, similar to how the top thread works."

Since every person that has ever thought about what they would like in a SM has come up with this one, let's play "guess why they don't make them this way."

Bill Holman

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Reply to Bill Holman
Date: 6/25/09 3:39 PM

Because it's the standard way things are done, and the manufacturers don't want to or have the incentive to re-design from the ground up?

I gotta believe it's technologically possible, don't ya think?

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