This is the machine I have just cleaned up for a friend, a Seidel and Naumann Vibrating Shuttle. Not only did I have to use paraffin to work its magic in unsticking the foot, but also the stitch length adjustment mechanism was jammed. I had to take off the handcrank and the wheel to get to the lever, which is to the right of the pillar above the bobbin winder. It was well and truly stuck, but eventually I freed it up and re-set it so that the stitch length can be adjusted and set to forwards or reverse.
This smart little tin is for holding the bobbins.
They slot neatly inside. Unfortunately there were only three with the machine rather than the full complement of five to fill the tin. I shall have to see if I can get two more.
The machine makes a perfect stitch. I'm sure that when I return it it will soon be put to good use.
All my transverse shuttle machines have a sliding knob on the bed of the machine for adjusting the stitch length. This photo is of the Little Vesta. The knob is unscrewed a little to allow it to slide from side to side, and is tightened back down into position once the stitch length is adjusted.
When I started work on one of my machines the knob was jammed firm and would not slide until I had given it oil and persuasion over several days.
Often people clean up an old machine with this type of stitch length adjustment and then find that the material will not feed through the teeth when they first try to sew. They think they have a serious problem with the machine, but then find that they had unwittingly had the stitch length set at nought. If only every problem with a sewing machine were so easy to solve!
Welcome to the latest follower, Littlebear. Thank you for joining!
Stitch length regulator knobs often end up jammed solid on machines that have spent decades in cupboards. The only way to ease them free is with lashings of oil and patience - don't expect a result the same day.
Then you are raring to go with a project. Halfway through you start wondering where the little oily smudges are coming from on your hitherto pristine work. Cleaning it off with washing up liquid gives time for reflection... and you realise that the stitch length knob is the culprit.
The solution? Well you could create a stylish little cosy in black velvet with gold trim to match the machine. Otherwise, you could reach for the nearest paper bag, rip off a strip and keep it in place with sellotape. The latter option has more immediate appeal.
On older machines the stitch length is regulated by turning the large screw on the pillar of the machine. For the longest possible stitch, turn the screw all the way in, as shown above...
... and for a smaller stitch, turn the screw out. Test the stitch length before you thread the machine by stitching on a piece of paper. You will see how far apart the perforations are and can set the stitch length without using up material and thread.
