We are meeting on the 28th at 6p now in the purple classroom. In the strain of trying to really use our time wisely we are going to use that hour to discuss the needs of specifically sewing we will have other meetings for other areas. Everyone is invited of course. I want to make sure that we really pay attention to the needs of the people and see if we can meet them - rather take the whole pie at once I think the best plan is to divide. I’ve been writing down a “needs” and “wants” list. Also going to create a few more lists based on what happens in the room and what would like to have happen inside sewing.
Here’s a link to the pinterest board I’ve started mind you this is Pinterest so it’s made of unicorn wings, fairy dust and a bomb of wishful thinking : https://pin.it/4jgj7m5vy3jstt
A 60"+ wide by more than a yard deep Cutting board for leather and fabric only with some type of fixable metal ruler that spans the length of the table so you can get perfectly straight cuts.
I would start putting money away for industrial machines - I will be donating a consew light industrial and will try and loan my Juki to DMS.
The light industrial is a step up from a home sewing machine, but it only does straight stitch and zip zag.
I would think we should be moving to get an industrial serger as well.
Industrial machines don’t break nearly as easily as home machines and you can sew more layers with thicker thread - it adds flexibility and options to what members can sew together, and enables us to make outdoor equipment, purses, leather stuff, etc. I really want to start some kind of SIG that uses these industrial machines to make equipment and bags and the like, and I think it would be a great draw to DMS, as most home machines can’t go through the thicker layers of pants and the like or handle the thread used.
Instead of a tippman, Leatherworking might want to consider a Cowboy sewing machine
Handles exceptionally heavy thread and thick leather easily. The higher end models can basically go through anything you put through the machine. Depends on budget, but the one I linked is $2200.
The bernina quilting machines on the pinterest board are $12,000 on the low end, I would argue that if we want to do computer controlled sewing, we should look at a Juki AMS - they require jigs to be built and a program set (it’s a CNC sewing machine) but they can embroider and have a lot of other functions. This is obviously a pie in the sky want, but I think more members would get value out of this vs. a quilting machine. I’ve got experience programming these machines as well. Pretty sure there’s a way to make them do a quilting function as well.
I lust after a butch machine to do heavy canvas. I need to make gear bags for Wayne and myself.
I agree the Berninas are pricey. I was thinking more practical for near future might be a deep throat Janome and we MAKE a frame for it. I’ll have researched more by the meeting. (A girl can dream)
I mentioned Bernina because I know a dealer and can ask them things, not because it’s required. She actually recommended looking at Nolting, Tin Lizzy, and Handiquilter for a quilting machine that would be sturdy.
Before everyone starts getting frothy we need to make a plan
We can we really justify the purchase
We can realistically afford the purchase (with the expansion yikes)
We will have dedicated people to teach the beast
Can it fit (a big one right now)
I’m just saying we need to really consider many angles of things right now. But do the legwork, get the information, get pricing and floor sizes and we will consider them together - deal?
Ooooooohhhh I like that, and they fold! Would probably need to be in the large room though outside of the sewing room.
I recommended that we build a quilting/tent/sail making table the same height as the light industrial machine. That would go along a wall. This not only makes quilting easy, but also any large or unwieldy sewing project (drapes or other large format sewing project). As we use industrial machines more and start quilting or other project classes, we can save up for a long arm sewing machine and plug it directly into this set up.
Also construction of sewing tables that have wheels on them for all the home machines, sergers, and embroidery machines. Gives a flat surface and makes it easier to sew things. Also allows for construction of thread trees directly attached to the table and drawers for machine kits.
We have special permission to purchase the printer we want but we have now can’t spend more than half our account as is was on aug 1 2018. So no big purchases yet
@Hardsuit would you guys be willing to compare the Husqvarna and the Juki something of a “compare functions” layout for the meeting?
I don’t know either but I’ve looked at them online
BTW, what is considered the normal throat depth on a sewing machine? My Husquvarna has a 250mm (almost 10") throat, and is a fully capable regular sewing machine when you swap out the embroidery arm. It has a free motion setting and foot as well, so it could do quilting reasonably well.
