Before the notorious Singer machine was invented, similar attempts had been made for a long time. Therefore, it is wrong to think that the American inventor Isaac Merritt Singer was a pioneer. He only managed to modernize the structures he liked in order to perfectly create one. By the way, the very first contender for the creation of a sewing machine was Leonardo da Vinci himself. However, many returned to real development later.
Our history began back in the 14th century, when an unknown Dutch inventor first created a mechanism that stitched sails. Later, in the 18th century, the German Karl Weisenthal invented another apparatus. It already had a needle with an eye placed in the middle for pulling the thread, able to reproduce stitches made by hand. And only the Englishman Thomas Saint was granted a patent for the production of the first sewing machine in 1791.
The predecessors of the Singer sewing machine
Even later, in 1830, the French inventor Berthelemy Timonier created, and subsequently received a patent for the production of a typewriter, whichalready knew how to reproduce a chain stitch, moreover, in one easily blossoming thread. Three years later, the first American inventor W alter Hunt came up with a device that made it possible to perform more reliable lock stitches. But now they were already two-stranded. In addition, he was the first to use a needle, which at its sharp end had both an eyelet and a shuttle.
After 11 years, Elias Howe borrowed Hunt's idea and, having improved it, invented a new, stable working machine. However, the fabric was fed vertically to it, which led to uneven stitches. Although, even with this defect, the machine was very popular.
Creating a legend overnight
One day, in 1850, Isaac Singer, visiting a repair shop, noticed several sewing machines. All designs were completely different. So, thanks to the developments of those very Howe, Hunt and Timonnier taken as a basis, the Singer machine was invented. The idea for a new copy was born in just one night! It took another eleven days to make it. Singer added three significant details. So that the threads do not tangle, in its prototype the shuttle is placed horizontally. The presser foot and platform provided a seamless seam guarantee.
A little later, Howe sued Singer, believing that Isaac Merritt illegally took advantage of his discovery. The court made a decision. Singer is required to pay the plaintiff 1% of sales. However, Isaac did not despair and began to sell sewing machines in installments. Soon itbusiness was already booming. In 1860 alone, about 20,000 Singer machines were bought.
Myth one. The original cannot be faked
Undoubtedly, many may be interested in the question of how valuable the old Singer car is. Among the speculators initially there are several legends. The first myth claims that Singer and Singer are completely different products. And their cost is also different. Say, when the inscription Singer is depicted on the typewriter, its cost is minimal. If you can see the Zinger inscription, it is a genuine product, and it can cost more than $1,000.
Don't believe me! This is a complete scam! Isaac Singer's name in English is spelled Singer. However, one unpleasant story most likely contributed to the emergence of such a myth. It happened at the end of the 19th century, when the first fakes appeared. Sewing machines were sold by the merchant Popov under the Singer brand. Although it is extremely difficult to confuse with the original! It not only looks more primitive, but also sews much more slowly.
Myth two. Cast iron or platinum?
The second myth has become widespread on the Internet. The cost is due to the content of platinum, which the Singer machine has in its working parts. The photo, of course, will not show this to you. To establish the price, you will be asked to inspect the shafts of the machine with a magnet. The weaker the magnetization, the higher the cost of the product. If we are talking about the Russian region, they even offer to send shavings from this shaft to Perm for research. By the way,perhaps this myth is much closer to the truth. Once upon a time in the past there was a similar method that protected the details of the elements of the sewing machine from rust.
Unfortunately, this myth provoked a murder in 2001. A group of teenagers, having learned about the presence of precious materials in the bowels of the product, began to hunt for sewing machines. The victim was an old woman who nonchalantly let strangers in on the threshold of the apartment, where she was immediately killed. The investigation determined that nothing had disappeared from the apartment, only the Singer.
The third myth. Lost bourgeois gold
The third myth. It would seem that such a simple product as a sewing machine has long been associated with the story of lost gold. There were rumors, although not documented, about the surviving bourgeois after the revolution in Russia. Allegedly, their representatives in Europe helped them to extract funds that were stored in banks in a very unusual way. All the money was invested in platinum, gold. Later, cars were created from these precious materials. Their body was covered with black paint, placing the name of the popular Singer brand on top.
To avoid confusion, they slightly modified it, depicting it with an error. This is how the name Zinger appeared! Then the whole batch was sent to Russia. Only a part of the products reached their intended purpose, while the rest went to those who did not even have a clue about the treasure. In this connection, collectors began to search throughout Russia exclusively for Zinger. Five years ago, for such a copy, you could get 20 thousand dollars.
Undoubtedly, there wasmany fakes. Crafty scammers simply interrupted the capital letter on simple antique Singer typewriters. But their "work" was in vain. If you run a magnet over parts that do not contain cast iron, everything will fall into place. Gold is not a magnet! Unfortunately, Singer's car had already been irretrievably damaged. Such an instance loses all its value and costs absolutely nothing.
Fourth myth. A million for a sewing machine
And finally, the fourth myth. The owners of Singer in 1998 reported the search for a sewing machine produced in the century before last, with a specific number that began with one. According to their information, it should be in Russia, and its owner, if found, will be paid a whole million in dollars! Since that time, resellers have become especially zealous to comb the vast country in search of an incredible car.
If you have a desire to know the details, look for such an announcement. They say it was published in "Komsomolskaya Pravda" or AiFe 98. However, such a myth, most likely, also cannot be true. The Singer Corporation is currently in a bad position and will not be able to pay out such a huge amount, especially for advertising purposes.
The old lady anywhere
Despite the fact that the "old ladies" are over a hundred years old, they are still in great demand. The Singer machine was originally designed for sewing durable fabrics. However, judging by the reviews of happy owners, Singer's garment still easily copes withcanvas, canvas, leather, and other heavy materials.
Modern fashionistas also do not want to lag behind current trends, so many needlewomen turn to mastering the art of cutting and sewing. Together with this, specialized equipment requires the master to have knowledge about the construction of a sewing machine. The owners of such equipment are sure that the ability to fix the problem on their own helps to save time.
Of course, you will need the instructions for the Singer sewing machine, a brush, machine oil and, just in case, the phone number of the repairman. By the way, machine oil can be easily washed by hand. Every time you get to work, be sure to lubricate them with cream.
Cleanliness is the key to success
The time comes - and everything breaks down, including the sewing machine. If the equipment began to skip stitches, outputting uneven or loose stitches, the settings may have been violated or the machine has broken. In any case, to identify any problems, it must be disassembled.
First of all, you need to find out the source of the breakdown. Often the cause of the problem is the accumulation of rust, dirt. First, remove the dirt from the tracks of the feed dog and from the needle plate. Remove all screws holding the plate and carefully remove it. Often a lump of tissue villi is found under it. Remove dirt with a brush.
Required tools
If you are a beginner, you should at least establish exactly what is notsatisfied with the operation of the sewing machine. Therefore, by defining the boundaries of the search, it will be easier for you to find a solution to the problem that has arisen. Once you have determined the breakdown, before starting repairs, clean the machine from dirt, lint.
Usually, all possible causes of breakdowns, as well as ways to configure them, are described in the instructions. The only thing that is required of you, by selecting a characteristic failure from the list, is to perform the recommended debugging methods.
For convenience, use a brush. Oily hand cream, glue, kerosene may also come in handy. Rags, a needle and screwdrivers will not be superfluous. Remember: you need to use only sharpened screwdrivers! If they are old and not the correct size, you will ruin the screw head. Then it will be very difficult to unscrew it.
Do no harm
If you are not confident in your own skills or the cause of the damage is unknown, and even more so if after some attempts at random to fix the damage failed, follow the main rule: "Do no harm"! Remember: any manifestation of amateur activity, especially when you do not understand the problem, can cause undesirable, and sometimes irreparable consequences. It is better to call the master and entrust him with the repair of the Singer machine. The specialist will still identify the damage much faster and be able to eliminate it. What is important in this case, the repair process will be painless not only for you, but also for the machine itself.
Following the feedback of those who purchased the Singer garment or got it forinheritance, we can say with confidence: in order for the equipment not to malfunction for as long as possible, you need to use it correctly, carrying out regular preventive maintenance. All operating rules are written in the instructions. Remember, proper maintenance significantly increases the life of your machine, and saves you from wasting money and time on expensive repairs.
Shuttle move
The old "Singer" is still in great demand. There are few objects that would serve a person with such enviable constancy. Especially when the product is more than a hundred years old, and it is an antique. The Singer machine is incredibly easy to use and maintain. Judging by the reviews of the owners, it can not be lubricated for years, it sews both silk and fur. It is extremely difficult to call the Singer sewing machine an antique. Many are still in operation without disappointment.
However, life is life! Despite the excellent hardening of the shuttle, consisting of steel, even it can wear out. Not every repair specialist will undertake to fix the breakdowns of the shuttle. And if the shuttle of the Singer sewing machine is completely lost, write wasted. Surely they were once made somewhere, but now…
The shuttle, or rather, the shuttle of any machine is the main node. High-quality stitching, thread tangling, skips and many other indicators in the work of a garment depend on the state of the shuttle and its adjustment. By the way, the shuttle has one morethe name is "bobbin". A bobbin case can be called a shuttle. The bobbin is a spool. A thread is wound on it, passing from below. The bobbin with thread is placed in the cap. As a result, they are inserted into the shuttle.
By the way, the shuttle also needs to be periodically cleaned of various accumulations. Having previously examined it for mechanical defects, clean it of oil and dust. Old dirt can be easily removed with a rag soaked in kerosene.
Note
If your Singer sewing machine has not been used for a long time or, on the contrary, has been used for a long time, you need to lubricate its mechanism using machine oil. This tool is more convenient to type in a syringe. Drip all the necessary departments in small portions.
If you want your Singer to last for many more years, don't forget to take care of it!
