Monday 10 September 2012

Cordial and Grace

A little while ago I strolled into a wonderful tea shop.  Tea and cake are always a draw, but when they come with a sewing room attached the pull is irresistible.  Especially if there is an interesting machine to look at.



Look at this beauty! A Jones Family CS, which sits in the sewing parlour watching all the modern machines get on with the work.   It belongs to Maria, who tells me that it used to be her grandmother's.  Maria has never used a hand machine because she learnt to sew on an electric machine.



On my next trip the Cordial and Grace I will have my machine cleaning kit with me.  I am looking forward to seeing Maria trying out her grandmother's machine - let's hope all goes according to plan.

If you live too far away to visit Cordial and Grace in real life, at the very least visit the website at www.cordial-and-grace.co.uk

Welcome to Kailacat!  It is nice having a follower who goes on walks and comes back with photos of insects.  Your dragonfly is fantastic!

11 comments:

  1. Very cute JONES machine!

    TS - Transverse Shuttle.
    VS - Vibrating Shuttle.

    CS - ????

    - Shangas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Shangas,

    CS stands for cylinder shuttle. It is no different from a vibrating shuttle.

    Muv

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Muv, Well I bought one identical to the tea/sewing room in almost mint condition. About 3 months ago. It had a point on turning were at slow speed it would lock, cleaned and oiled still the same problem. Just about to strip it down and noticed that there was no wear on any of the points that should have been. So it was still "new" and not even broken in. (the day just could not get any better). The only thing that did let it down was the wooden base. So if you are about to clean up the one in the cafe, I recommend do the base as well. Takes about an hour or two. First remove the machine (2 small screws). Unbolt hinges(x2) from underneath and tape out with hammer. Unscrew the 3 lock points for the case (6 screws) Get some paint stripper from B&Q (own brand cheap) paint on base leave 20 mins. Scrap off. Paint on new stripper and with medium wire wool rub into wood to get rid of old varnish. Wash off with warm soap water. Let the wood dry. Now sand with a fine sanding block and you will now be rewarded with fine English oak by this stage it should look like new. Paint on new varnish Ronseal mid gloss. 2-3 layers and a cleaned up machine fab. I must admit the tea shop base machine could do with it. Total cost £10 but you can do a lot of other machines with it. Just be careful of the stripper gloves and safety glasses. My news is that I have started to support TWAN (please google) Which sends out sewing machines to Africa along with other tools and trains people how to use them. It is a way of empowering women in pretty poor circumstances to get some sort of employment and trade.(at the end of training they are given a machine) So at the moment I have a shed full of machines that I am stripping down cleaning and setting so the are running as new ready to be shipped out to Africa. If it wasn't for your You Tube vid on how to set a tension on a shuttle it is possible not of this would have happened so thanks' Muv for all your video's on Y/T they have been a great help. And from little acorn's etc,etc. Kind regards Duncan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Duncan,

    Nice to hear from you

    The clean up job has started on the Jones machine at the sewing cafe. I don't intend to do the base, just get the machine cleaned up and sewing. Maria who owns it might do the base, so thanks for the tips.

    I googled TWAN and didn't find it. There is a similar charity near here, but they only send out round bobbin machines, so I was interested to see that long bobbin machines are useful to TWAN.

    I'm absolutely delighted that you have found the videos so useful.

    Muv

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  5. Sorry should be TWAM (hit the wrong key, late at night) www.twam.co.uk Go to projects go to mindset developments. I my do a few You Tube things myself (if I get the time). I have a Singer 99, outside fine inside full of grease and 3 in one oil and lint so it will have to be steam cleaned. It will be just to prove that most of the if not all can be brought back from the dead no mater what condition. Your videos are second to none and has got me started onto a great hobby witch will I hope do great good for some people who have nothing in comparison to myself. Kind regards Duncan. P.S. Look up male pattern boldness, just a bit of fun. Love's his sewing machines to bits.On his blog site and also on You Tube.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Duncan,

    Thank you for the link. Now that I have seen TWAM's website I have been really touched by the thought that the Youtube videos that my husband and I made have been so helpful to you, and that you in turn have helped people in Africa and India through TWAM.

    Love
    Muv

    ReplyDelete
  7. I was recently given a machine like this, but unfortunately, it is thick with muck and rust. I was intending to re-cycle it after a decent interval - until I saw the machine in your picture! It's lovely. My Jones CS is now looking very smug, and waiting for her makeover. Consider yourself responsible for her reprieve!

    Jessie

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jessie,

      Absolutely delighted to hear that your machine has escaped the tip.

      Love,
      Muv

      Delete
  8. Hi Muv, I recently found your videos and blog while searching for information on an Admiral Star machine. It looks very much like the Singers (not sure of the model number system yet) I've seen. Having this beautiful machine has led me to search out others and so many i find seem so far gone. This post is so encourageing and I'm planning to pick up the next one I come across that needs finishing. I've looked through your posts trying to determine what you use to clean the enamel. The post on cleaning the decals states to use sewing machine oil on a cotton tip. Do you also use the sewing machine to clean the enamel? What else is in your cleaning kit. I see a new adventure starting for me.--Luna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Luna,

      Congratulations on your new machine! So glad to hear you have found the videos helpful.

      Yes, just use sewing machine oil on a dab of cotton wool, or on a soft cloth, and rub it all over the enamel and decals. I do this when oiling the machine. Usually there are drips of spare oil around the oiling holes, so they get used for wiping over the enamel. Dry it clean afterwards with a soft cotton cloth.

      If you click on the heading Cleaning a Machine on the sidebar all the relevant posts will pop up.

      Love,
      Muv

      Delete
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