I always had the idea, that straight stitch machines were ‘better’ to sew on and had better control. Sometimes when I am making, I am often on a race to the finish so I can get extremely slap-dash, and I thought a straight stitch machine could help me get the neater finish (spoiler alert – it didn’t). Anyway, there were three potential straight stitch machines – a 99k, a 201, or a 221/featherweight. As the 201 and 221 were too expensive, I got a 99k.
Its made in 1953 according to the serial number and for a 3/4 machine, its plenty weighty – lord only knows what weight a 66 or 201 would be. I really like the mock alligator case – seriously these old sewing machine cases are like air-hostess luggage – so cute!
The first job the machine had was to remake a mock-suede bag. I made this last year, but the singer excelle didn’t really ‘get along’ with the mock suede and the final finish was a bit rough, and either way I didn’t even use the bag as the pink didn’t really tie in with anything. The other side of the fabric was plum so I just took it apart and turned it all around. The second time I did not do as much top stitch, but what the machine had to sew, it did very well.
I also ran up some more purses and bags in an effort to use up scraps, and old belts and zips. These purses are from Noodlehead.
The back pack is still a work in progress – I had a raincoat last year I was remaking and it was quickly going south as I didn’t have enough fabric, but I did manage to use it up in this back pack along with some old belt pieces – I will probably make a fabric strap or use old belts as the shoulder straps. I think its slightly too big and also could so with some interfacing so I will be tweaking it over the next few weeks.
I also made a bag from some denim scrap and used a belt cut in 2 to make the handle. the machine even sewed through this thick belt. I was turning the wheel by hand for going though the belt, and even then I was beginning to feel like a person that was deliberately cruel to sewing machines…
I then got a bit carried away and started on this butterick blouse and used some of the white fabric. I was a bit quick and overconfident and the top-stitching is rather nasty so I have put it to one side and will redo it next week- reverse engineering my bad sewing habits will take more than the singer 99 I think.
upsew 
Oh, I love your machine, he’s so cute! (Sewing machines are always male in my eyes as they’re such a pain in the butt sometimes!). I like you faux suede bag, it has quite a vintage feel to it. I have a few bits of faux leather in my stash that I often think should be made into bags. xx
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Thank you Cate- the faux-suede is based on a 70s bag. I am not really a bag person so it will probably be only used for ‘events’. it was to go to the wedding (last post) but it looked rather odd with the coat so I adapted one of the pencil cases (red one) instead and put a wrist strap. I have some old suede here and thinking of maybe challenging the 99 again!
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Ohhh love seeing your bag experiments – particularly the plum one with those handles 🙂
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Thanks Aimee, they were a great way to use up scrap fabric, but I now have far too many noodlehead purses – got a bit carried away……the plum one is a nice idea – it has yet to be road tested as I tend to stick to shoulder bags, but I do like bags that adapt!
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Love the backpack – very stylish. I have just made one – using a commercial pattern and an old dress. It needs some modifications and I am worried that it looks a bit silly. And always keen to catch up on old sewing machines – I saw one in Oxfam the other day, but resisted making an impulse buy. It had a spindle bobbin and I wondered whether it wouldn’t hold much thread?
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Thank you Kate – I got a vogue pattern on etsy with a back-pack as I would like to make a tidy one for my sister – and I know she would use one. Would love to see how yours is working out -bags are my new favourite way to use up scrap fabric and unsuccesful projects, ….. that spindle bobbin sounds interesting I have only seen them on the facebook page for the vintage sewing machine – replacment bobbins seem to be an issue……I was asked to look at some machines by a local charity shop to see if they worked…..and I did – and ended up getting a not-quite-working-yet featherweight – so one machine may have to leave to make way……..
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