These beads do not come close to reflecting the colors shown in the photos. They are, instead, a dark, muted pink, taupe, and peachy-pink. There are exactly 6 glass beads, 8 6mm acrylic beads, with the balance being plastic and one with plastic "rhinestones." However, if that is what you're looking for in material, they do look pretty if you don't look too close. Obviously, I was less than thrilled but you get what you pay for!
Showing posts with label antique sewing machine parts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antique sewing machine parts. Show all posts
Badger Air-Brush Company Ultra Fine Tip for Renegade Series
This along with the companion needle were exactly what I was looking for. I had dropped this little piece down the drain of my sink unfortunately and was cringing at the thought of how much this would cost me to replace. While this isn't cheap for such a tiny piece, it is a critical piece of the airbrush and I was happy to have it at the time. If you need one of these, you know you need it. Otherwise you probably have no need for it.
Update: Since getting this I found the combe kit for this airbrush that includes this piece and a new needle for not much more here on amazon. I think in the future I would do that instead of this one piece.
Update: Since getting this I found the combe kit for this airbrush that includes this piece and a new needle for not much more here on amazon. I think in the future I would do that instead of this one piece.
Hot Mother's Day Gift Crystal Glass Diamond Shaped Paperweight
I received this item, and it is very pretty, but it does not look like the picture. The picture shows something that is circular, with some kind of faceted interior or maybe a cutout on one side. The object I received actually is shaped like a low, faceted cone with a flat bottom. As I said, it is beautiful, but I wanted something with a spherical profile because I am collecting glass paperweight globes.
I wonder if the vendor sent me the wrong thing by mistake!
I wonder if the vendor sent me the wrong thing by mistake!
Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger with Easy Lay In Threading
List Price: $463.30
Sale Price: $179.99
Today's Bonus: 61% Off
I think if you're looking at this machine, you're either a) new to serging or b) impressed by the price and interested in the quality. I'm completely new to sergers, but I did my homework before buying this one, and for the price and the performance, this serger has a perfect balance.
I was also concerned about being able to figure out how to use it on my own (so many people talk about taking a class) but within a day I felt like I knew it inside and out. It's setup is uncomplicated and I was able to get right to work. There's something to be said about passing over the machine that can "do it all" and buying one that just does what you need.
1) The "how-to" videos are wonderful for the visual learner. You can pick up the same knowledge from the thorough instruction book(s) included, but the videos reinforce the book. Watching the video on "threading" once, and following the line drawings on the machine itself, I was able to thread the machine in 5 minutes. (It's really not that hard it's all color coded and the steps are numbered, but the videos help)
2) Included are two additional feet, one for a blind hem/flatlock and another for gathering ruffles as you sew. Together, they themselves are an $60 value. The feet are "snap-on" (when I read about that online I instantly thought of breakable plastic, but the feet are primarily metal with some plastic pieces on the blind hem foot) the "snap-on" construction is very easy to use and solid (i.e. nothing is going to snap OFF over time)
3) It's very easy to set the tension and the manual has a very clear chart on troubleshooting uneven stitches (with 4 threads, there are multiple things that can be off with the tension).
4) The company description says that it does 22 stitch functions, which I think is a little misleading (it does the basic stuff and they show different applications for the basics).
THIS IS WHAT IT DOES:
1. 3/4-thread overlock (uses 4 threads; best for use with knits or upholstery fabric)
2. 3-thread overlock (general use) in two widths 3mm (using only the right needle) and 5mm (using only the left)
3. Rolled hem (great for edges of napkins, pajama bottoms, frilly skirts, etc)
4. Flatlock stitch (decorative or flat seams)
5. Blind hem
THIS IS WHAT IT DOESN'T DO:
1. Coverlock stitch (stretchy stitch with two straight lines on the front of the fabric). If you're sewing for yourself (i.e. not selling what you make), you can fake this stitch on your regular zigzag sewing machine with a twin needle. It's not quite the same, but close enough for me.
2. Chain stitch (a semi-straight stitch, similar to a regular sewing machine but easier to rip out (i.e. good for basting) and a good reinforcement for upholstery)
Other sergers I looked at that did the coverlock stitch in addition to overlock, etc. had complicated and time consuming adjustments to be made to switch to the coverlock. If you're going to use it a lot, consider getting a separate machine that does it (the Brother model is 2340CV).
The one feature the 1034D is missing for me is the ability to do a 3-thread overlock and a chain stitch at the same time good for upholstery but something available only on a 5 thread machine.
5) Nice little things:
1. You have the option of using regular thread spools (cheaper and smaller if you don't need 1000 yards x 4 of whatever color you're buying)
2. You use regular needles so you can use them in both your regular sewing machine and your serger
3. It's really easy to control speed with the foot pedal very responsive
4. Disabling the knife (that trims your fabric as you sew) is done with just the flick of a switch
5. Differential feed allows you to sew any thickness of fabric, line up stripes evenly, etc.
Griswold FM15
List Price: $31.49
Sale Price: $27.00
Today's Bonus: 14% Off
This motor is pretty good. It is well built and stable enough for most any application. However, the manufacturers skimped on the brush covers. They sent two extra brushes and covers, but the covers are cheap plastic that crack easily and they will NOT re thread into the motor housing once removed. So, be careful if and when you have to replace the brushes. I secured mine with Gorilla tape! For the price this motor should have had better brush caps.
Epson Premium Presentation Paper MATTE (8.5x11 Inches
List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $12.17
Today's Bonus: 19% Off
I wanted to create calendars for our family. I found this a good deal for the printer (I have Lexmark Z54) and for the requirement. I had taken 5 calendars out of this and it works good for the double-side calendar. I could get an excellent finish. Color rendering is perfect and I did not find any smudging or bloating. The thickness is fine enough for a double-sided output.
I also found Matte finish better than Glossy in case of inkjet printers, especially this one, the best.
I would definitely recommend this product.
Brother SA125 1/4 Inch Piecing Foot
List Price: $12.99
Sale Price: $9.99
Today's Bonus: 23% Off
Brother SA125 1/4 Inch Piecing FootBrother SA129 Quilting Foot
These are a "must have" for quilting. They both work equally well. The SA125 is great when sewing thin fabrics and the SA129 is terrific for thicker fabrics or 2 layers of fabric with batting. They were priced well and arrived sooner than expected.
Badger Air-Brush Co 155-9 Anthem Airbrush Set in Designer Wood
List Price: $175.00
Sale Price: $114.96
Today's Bonus: 34% Off
This model came with a wooden case. Everything you need except a compressor and paint is included. The airbrush itself and the hose and accessories are all very nice quality. The spray pattern and control with this brush is excellent.
Singer Chainstitch Battery Operated Sewing Machine
List Price: $69.99
Sale Price: $65.00
Today's Bonus: 7% Off
This machine does not work. I will be returning it to find a better "first" machine for my daughter. The stitiches do not hold, every instruction was followed to the letter. It is not worth even 4 cents, much less 14 dollars. I would have paid more for something that acutally works. I'll keep looking
T-WRENCH 19MM X 16MM Replaces STENS 705-533
Bought this combination wrench to put into the case for my chainsaw to tighten the bolts holding down the guide bar. It broke right at the weld on the very first use. This is an incredibly poorly made tool.
Mystic Industries Original Reindeer Vehicle Costume with Jingle
List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $9.99
Today's Bonus: 33% Off
I have wanted one of these reindeer kits for a couple of years and was thrilled to find one on Amazon.com this past Christmas. It is the cutest thing, reasonably priced, seems to be of good quality, and held up well (I drive 60-70 miles/day, mostly interstate). I got lots of compliments on it. I was a little concerned about how the fur material would hold up to rain/snow but I solved that by wrapping plastic around the nose. I used a clear plastic produce bag (knotted and tied with twist tie) and it worked perfectly-it wasn't visible unless you walked right up to it, and the plastic bag was still intact when I took the nose off. The antlers I just took off on the days it rained. I am thrilled with this kit and can't wait to use it again when the holidays come around!
Ruffler Sewing Machine Presser Foot - Fits All Low Shank Singer
My recent projects all involve gathering, a new thing for me. I do have a gathering foot and I have tried many techniques, but I found them to all have some fatal flaw. My gathering foot didn't gather consistently, so no matter how carefully i measured and tested on each fabric individually, and tried to cut the fabric accordingly, it ended up uneven and looking horrible. Gathering by hand was tedious, also somewhat inconsistent, and not as secure in terms of the stitching. Ultimately I could get the job done, but it was beginning to be such a hassle that I was reconsidering what sort of clothes I wanted to make.
Then I saw this foot. It was reasonably cheap ($15 including shipping) and looks like a serous piece or machinery, so I got it. Besides my actual sewing machine (a Brother XL2600I), I think this is the best sewing purchase I have made so far.
You have to make sure to align it properly, and secure it tightly, and test with the hand dial to make sure the needle clears the foot. All of that is in the instructions, so that was no issue. It can make some alarming sounds while it's working, which made me worry that it was jamming, but it has not jammed for me at all, and I have broken no needles (the gathering foot I bought for my brother machine jammed several times and cost me 10 needles, in comparison).
Pros:
[1] (Major) Adjustable! It can create gathers or ruffles of varying lengths and depths
[2] (Major) Absolutely consistent gathering
[3] (Major) No jamming or broken needles when aligned properly
[4] (Major) Can handle light and heavy fabrics (I tried rayon, polyester satin, and some knit fabrics, as well as heavy brocade and denim, which will not gather (in an aesthetically pleasing way) with anything else I've tried)
[5] (Major) Secured the gathers or ruffles as it sews; you don't have to worry about one weak thread ruining a whole gathered section
[6] Can gather or ruffle folded fabric, or layers of fabric
Cons:
[1] Could be difficult to set up (I didn't have any issues but I come from a mechanical background. The instructions are not as clear as they should be, the parts are not labeled)
[2] Low clearance (this can be something of a headache, but that this fits on low shank machines at all is a wonder)
--this is low clearance below the foot and inside the ruffling part of the foot. It can lead to fabric sticking, but I resolved it easily by lifting the needle to its highest position and giving the fabric a firm tug tot he back of the machine, so it was not a large problem
[3] (Minor) At some point, it will apparently need oiling with sewing machine oil. Directions for that are in the box
[4] (Minor) Fabric insertion can be a hassle
[5] (Minor) The distance from the edge that you can ruffle / gather is limited to about an inch, unless the fabric is rolled or folded
Conclusion: I am definitely happy with this purchase and I recommend it. Most important to me is its consistency and ability to handle heavy fabrics, specifically brocade. I sew slow enough that I can monitor and adjust the fabric as needed, with a straight stitch, the width adjusted to clear the foot, guiding the fabric with my hands from front and back. I have been nothing but pleased with this foot; of all the feet I have it is my absolute favorite.
Then I saw this foot. It was reasonably cheap ($15 including shipping) and looks like a serous piece or machinery, so I got it. Besides my actual sewing machine (a Brother XL2600I), I think this is the best sewing purchase I have made so far.
You have to make sure to align it properly, and secure it tightly, and test with the hand dial to make sure the needle clears the foot. All of that is in the instructions, so that was no issue. It can make some alarming sounds while it's working, which made me worry that it was jamming, but it has not jammed for me at all, and I have broken no needles (the gathering foot I bought for my brother machine jammed several times and cost me 10 needles, in comparison).
Pros:
[1] (Major) Adjustable! It can create gathers or ruffles of varying lengths and depths
[2] (Major) Absolutely consistent gathering
[3] (Major) No jamming or broken needles when aligned properly
[4] (Major) Can handle light and heavy fabrics (I tried rayon, polyester satin, and some knit fabrics, as well as heavy brocade and denim, which will not gather (in an aesthetically pleasing way) with anything else I've tried)
[5] (Major) Secured the gathers or ruffles as it sews; you don't have to worry about one weak thread ruining a whole gathered section
[6] Can gather or ruffle folded fabric, or layers of fabric
Cons:
[1] Could be difficult to set up (I didn't have any issues but I come from a mechanical background. The instructions are not as clear as they should be, the parts are not labeled)
[2] Low clearance (this can be something of a headache, but that this fits on low shank machines at all is a wonder)
--this is low clearance below the foot and inside the ruffling part of the foot. It can lead to fabric sticking, but I resolved it easily by lifting the needle to its highest position and giving the fabric a firm tug tot he back of the machine, so it was not a large problem
[3] (Minor) At some point, it will apparently need oiling with sewing machine oil. Directions for that are in the box
[4] (Minor) Fabric insertion can be a hassle
[5] (Minor) The distance from the edge that you can ruffle / gather is limited to about an inch, unless the fabric is rolled or folded
Conclusion: I am definitely happy with this purchase and I recommend it. Most important to me is its consistency and ability to handle heavy fabrics, specifically brocade. I sew slow enough that I can monitor and adjust the fabric as needed, with a straight stitch, the width adjusted to clear the foot, guiding the fabric with my hands from front and back. I have been nothing but pleased with this foot; of all the feet I have it is my absolute favorite.
Frabill Aerated Bucket, 8-Quart, White/Yellow
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $23.06
Today's Bonus: 23% Off
My name is Ken,
I am a avid fisherman, and have fished for more than 40 years. I guess I have seen and used most items in the fishing section of all the department stores. Well when I saw this I knew it looked intreging, had never seen one before, and had problems in the past, keeping my minnows and other bait alive for an extended amount of time. Well, you have the one item to keep those pesky little critters alive, even in full sun.
This is the one item any lake or river fisherman should have! This "IS A MUST FOR ALL FISHERMEN!"
Denise in a della Q Interchangeable Knitting Needle Kit
I Have the Denise in della Q Interchangeable Crochet Hook set and I am just learning to knit so this was my obvious choice and I would certainly recommend it to anyone.
Pro Airbrush Air Compressor Regulator with Water-Trap Filter
My hubby was having issues with his air compressor while airbrushing (spurts and spits of water getting in the way causing issues while trying to paint), we ordered this and "presto-change-o" it works perfect! Now he can make beautiful works of art and have no interuptions in air flow (for smooth lines, etc.). He is very pleased with the product and quality!
Janome Embroidery Bobbin Thread White in 1600m Spools
This is the embroidery bobbin thread recommended by Janome. Janome, as well as Baby Lock and Brother, recommend #90 bobbin thread. I've never had a bobbin issue in the year since I bought my machine, and have never had to change my bobbin tension from the "auto" setting. Also, there is almost no lint given off by this product, which is a problem with many pre-wound bobbins. Also, a lot of embroidery tension problems occur because of the wrong weight bobbin thread.
4pc Pin Vise Set - Fits 0.0mm to 4.0mm - Hollow Handles Textured
List Price: $16.99
Sale Price: $6.95
Today's Bonus: 59% Off
The pin vices are OK. Made over seas. I didn't expect them to be Starrett tools because of the price. What I was disappointed with was the condition of them. The description said they were new. They were all rusty when I opened the package. even the pouch that came with them was full of rust. It took me a couple of hours using SOS and other chemicals to clean them up so they were usable. I wrote to the supplier to let them know about the condition of the vices. That was a couple of months ago. I never got a reply. In my opinion that says a lot of the supplier.