Machine stitching hand-knit braided rugs.  One of my favorite things is a braided rug. I love spool knitting and for many years have hand-sewn my rugs because I couldn't quite find the right machine - yet I had one all along....

1968-1972 Singer Model 237 (Michigan) and Machine-Stitched Braided Rugs

Handy Stitch Hand-held Sewing Machine

Recently I have begun using my hand held sewing machines more often.  They are light and portable, are very good for piecing or garment construction, and with rechargeable batteries, help cut down on electricity costs.  I have several types, including Sun brand manual stitchers, Singer Stitch-Sew-Quick, Smartek Handheld Sewing Machine, and a Handy Stitch.

There are two different products called "Handy Stitch". One was made by Singer, and if you compare that construction with the second model, you will see that it was slightly different, with a round "on" button on the top.  The Handy Stitch that I have was distributed by IdeaVillage, and is more similar to the other larger models mentioned above with a rectangular on/off switch.  I picked this one up because it came with the DC adapter, making it a small electric machine, good when sewing at one place.

The set also came with 32 bobbins and 32 small spools of thread.  Regarding the needle type- this model takes the 24 x 1 (DH x 1) needles, similar to the Sun manual and Smartek sewing machines.  The Singer Stitch-Sew-Quick takes a 15 x 1 (2020) regular sewing machine needles.  The shorter needle of the Handy Stitch is an advantage in some ways because there is more room between the needle and the fabric, so it is easier to get the fabric in place, as compared to the longer needles of the Stitch-Sew-Quick.  

The Singer Handy Stitch might be a vintage item, made before the Stitch-Sew-Quick - it is part number
CEX3000KD . NOTE: I would not buy another Smartek Handheld Sewing Machine. I have had two of them- the first one had a problem running, and the second one will not make a stitch.

Rope Dolls and Two Dollhouses

If you like to spool knit or lucet, you can make knitted rope dolls and two different dollhouses!

Rope Dolls and Two Dollhouses

Here is a view of the dollhouse I made for the Spool Knit dolls -

Spool Knit Dolls Dollhouse

A photo is below of the Rope Doll Dollhouse

To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "✔"

Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions.

Log in

to use Ginger

Limited mode

Dolls, Dollhouse

×

More Spool Dolls

In my videos for the "We The People" spool knit faces quilt, I mention the spool dolls I make.  In the video More Spool Dolls, I talk about different versions of the main spool knit doll pattern.

Juvenile Quilt "We The People"

One of my quilt designs is called "We The People", is a kid's quilt, and has wonderful spool knitting as part of the design elements.  See the Playlist here.

Singer Model 20 Sewing Velcro

The this video : here : I am sewing Velcro to a piece of cotton with a Singer model 20.  It goes a little rough, but it was the presser foot hitting the loops. So, yes, a Model 20 can sew Velcro!

1955 Singer Model 20 Booklet Info

The 1955 Singer Model 20 came with a booklet that was only pictures, and does not have all of the information from the earlier booklets.  It also has an "international look" to the cover.

Please see the video HERE

Singer Model 20 and Commercial Flannel Batting

I recently was making some quilt squares for a quilt with a lockstitch machine, and decided to do some of the squares on a Singer Model 20.  At first I had some issues, and after upgrading the thread I was using, was able to sew some squares.

However, I did find that Singer Model 20s do not like the tightly woven commercial flannel batting.  Please see 2 videos, Here and Here.

Polyester batting works much more easily. Video Here

BUT! I don't like giving up, and knew I had sewn flannel before with a model 20 - see this video here

Using a Singer Model 20 to make a Basic Tied Quilt

Using a Singer Model 20 to make a Basic Tied Quilt

This quilt will end up being approximately 40 inches by 54 inches.  Please see the video here

The playlist for the Basic Tied Quilt is here . The quilt I am making has some piecing done with a Singer Stitch Sew Quick Hand Stitcher, as I had decided to use that as I was piecing.  My quilt top actually has four different machines involved with it, as that is how I sometimes work, using different machines at different times. I am planning on doing the binding with a Singer Model 20.

Sewing and Tension

Sewing and Tension

One of the beauties of the Singer Model 20 is that the only adjustment you make is to the tension.  This does give you a skill set that you can take to a larger machine, as in this video, but also, it is a simpler method of sewing. If you know how to make a few different types of seams on a model 20, it is the type of seam you are learning or using and not an attachment. That puts you closer to "tailoring" or "upolstering" or "mending", and will expand your sewing. Less is more.

Singer Model 20 Mannequin Set

The photo below belongs to Wolfgang's Collectibles. This seller always has unusual and beautiful antique sewing machines, often complete sets.  He currently has a listing for a complete Singer Model 20 Mannequin Set.  (3 days left to the auction as of today) .

That listing ended at a price of $466.00 with 54 bids!!! Yikes!  Bill Holman, with TreadleOn told me that his Singer Salesmen's Handbook from November of 1959 lists a Singer model 20-10 at $8.95 !

Singer Model 20 and 12 Inch Blocks

It may seem that a 12-inch block is a large block to maneuver on a Singer Model 20, but it's isn't difficult.

Singer Model 20 and 12 Inch Blocks

Singer Model 20 SewHandy Lunchbox Case

Video:  Singer Model 20 SewHandy Lunchbox Case

Recently I had to get a wheelchair for an injury.  The Singer model 20 is a wonderful machine for taking with you, but also for use while in a wheelchair.  It will fit in a lunchbox, a video I will upload shortly.  In the meantime, I have come up with a platform in order to use the machine more easily while in a chair or wheelchair.

Singer Model 20 Platform

Replacement parts

There is a seller on Ebay who carries many replacement items for the Singer model 20 machines. Seam guides, needle tightener, needles, needle clamp, handle knobs and brochures.

Birddance-Enterprises (stereoscope-singer20)

You can buy the correct needles by the hundred at CTUSA

Sweater Quilt 2 - Smaller

As part of my knitting and quilting patterns, I have a pattern called "Sweater Quilt 2 - Smaller".  The pattern is for a 30 inch square quilt that can be a wall quilt, a baby blanket, a lap quilt. It is made by sewing fabric rectangles to pot-holder woven wool squares, then sewing the rectangles together.

I tested this out by sewing some of the quilting with a Singer Model 20 from around 1953-1955, and this smaller quilt is now a Singer Model 20 project!

Please see this Playlist of my YouTube Videos - Sweater Quilt 2 - and look for the "smaller" videos (Videos 5 and 6).  

Singer Model 20 - style released in 1926

The Singer Model 20 SewHandy Machines were manufactured by Singer Sewing Machine Company. There is a good reference page on their history at Singer Miniature Toy Chain Stitch Sewing Machines.

They were first introduced in 1910.  Although marketed mainly as children's machines, their brochures also refer to them as being for "light household duty". At this point, I have used them both for doll clothes, and for more household-practical sewing projects.  I plan on adding posts and videos to this blog as I use my six Models 20 machines for more and more projects.

Videos

Videos I have on YouTube regarding Singer Model 20 sewing machines:

1930s / 1940s Singer Model 20 Playlist

1953 and 1955 Singer Model 20 SewHandy Playlist

and 

Vintage Gateway Junior NP-1 Toy Sewing Machine Playlist

Twelve Inch Art Mannequin (Sewing Doll) Doll Dress Pattern

Twelve Inch Art Mannequin (Sewing Doll) Doll Dress Pattern

© 2016 laeom      May 24, 2016

There are two methods for making this mannequin dress.  I will follow the way I have shown them in the related video, with the “easier” method (Method 1) directions first below, followed by the method that involves pulling the back sections through the shoulder areas (Method 2).

For both methods:

Use scrap fabrics.  You will need thread to match the main fabric, a main fabric and a lining fabric, pins, a sewing needle if you are hand sewing, a sewing machine if you are machine sewing, scissors, an iron for pressing.  You will also need two or three snaps or hook and eye sets for closing the back.

All seam allowances are ⅛ “ .  During construction of the dress, press the pieces and press seam allowances open.

Print out the image of the pattern pieces.  The measurements in inches are marked on this sheet, so if the printing does not match the measurements, you can use plain graph paper to draw your own pattern pieces going by the inch measurements.

After cutting the pattern pieces out in paper, you will be cutting the fabric ¼” larger than the pattern pieces on all sides.

Method 1. Fabric and Lining - cut pattern out of paper on black solid lines (not lines that show inch measurements).

1. Place lining pieces on each corresponding fabric piece, right sides together.  Stitch ⅛” around the edges of each piece, leaving bottom hem areas unstitched. Clip into fabric(s) at corners.  Turn each piece right side out.
2. Lay the back pieces on top of the front piece, right sides together.  Stitch front to back(s) at shoulders. Turn dress right side out, place on mannequin.  Measure length of arm opening and mark with a pin, pencil dot, ir remember the measurement.
3. Remove dress from mannequin, turn inside out, stitch from lower armhole / side mark to bottom on each side, stopping ¼” before the bottom edge.
4. Turn in each bottom hem area by ¼”, hand or machine stitch in place to finish hem.
5. Add snaps or hook and eye(s) to back opening for dress closure.  A belt may be may from a ½” wide by 5 inch scrap by turning each long edge in and stitching down the center of the belt.  Stitch across ends of belt.

Method 2. Fabric and Lining - cut pattern out of paper on black solid lines (not lines that show inch measurements).

1. Main Fabric - place front to back pieces, right sides together, matching shoulder areas.  Back pieces will overlap each other. Stitch a ⅛” seam at shoulders. Lining- Repeat as above for Main Fabric.
2. Place main fabric right side up, flat, with back pieces away from you.  Place lining on top to match, wrong side up (right sides are together). Pin both pieces together. Stitch ⅛” around all edges of fabric and lining, leaving bottom front hem open for turning.  Clip corners at neck edges.
3. From open bottom hem area, turn dress right side out, pulling or pushing each back piece through its corresponding shoulder area.
4. Turn both edges of front hem area in by ¼”, stitch by machine or slip stitch closed.
5. Place dress on mannequin.  Measure length of arm opening and mark with a pin, pencil dot, ir remember the measurement.
6. Remove dress from mannequin, turn inside out, stitch from lower armhole / side mark to bottom on each side.
7. Add snaps or hook and eye(s) to back opening for dress closure.  A belt may be may from a ½” wide by 5 inch scrap by turning each long edge in and stitching down the center of the belt.  Stitch across ends of belt.

Pattern Pieces: