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From: jennhi
Date: 09-24-2004, 02:16 PM (1 of 8)
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Hello all! I'm a new member here and am learning about the basics of sewing and sewing machines. A couple of months ago, I bought an old Brother from an elderly retired tailor. The Brother is made of steel and is probably 20 years old or more. With the orange test thread it came with, it sewed beautifully. I've a question about the types of stitches it came with. So far, I can't really determine what the symbols mean. The Brother didn't come with a manual. There are two switches at the top. One has what I assume to be the stitch pattern and it has 3 symbols on it. One symbol I've determined to mean "blind stitch" but the other two are baffling. One symbol is three vertical parallel dotted lines; the other is a solid line in a big "M" shape -- which is not the zigzag shape I see on the other switch where you determine the size of your zigzag. That shape is "Z". Can someone please clue me in to what the M and the dotted lines mean? Thanks, and good to meet you all! Jennifer |
User: jennhi
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: bunzino
Date: 09-24-2004, 06:11 PM (2 of 8)
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J, The dotted lines sound like a stretch stitch, but I have to wonder at that on a very old machine! The "M" is a mystery to me  nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-24-2004, 06:37 PM (3 of 8)
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If you get the model number off the machine and check with a Brother dealer, you may be able to get some sort of manual on the machine. If it came from a tailor, it may be a commercial machine.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: jennhi
Date: 09-25-2004, 10:17 PM (4 of 8)
| Thanks, I'll go and contact the company! |
User: jennhi
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-26-2004, 06:41 PM (5 of 8)
Brother has a great website, If you have the model number , you can find any part or accessory you need for any of their equipment..Someone hinted that a machine that old would not have a stretch stitch.. but I bought a Kenmore Sewing machine in mid 70's and it had the stretch stitch .. and it still does it.. That machine lives at DIL's house, now.. The stretch stitch is usually 3 parallel lines which is just what it does. One stitch forward and 2 back, or 2 forward and 1 back... Anyway it is great for knits.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: paroper
Date: 09-26-2004, 10:11 PM (6 of 8)
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That stitch is also great for repairs of anything that might have a lot of stress from jeans to knits to linen pants. You can't really beat that triple stitch for strength!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: jennhi
Date: 10-23-2004, 06:39 PM (7 of 8)
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Just as a follow-up... I contacted Brother. The machine was older than any of the machines on their website, and they said they'd have to dig through their archives and xerox a copy of my model's manual. This they did and sent to me, free of charge. It arrived today. Brother rocks!! Unfortunately, the machine was in need of repair on Wednesday, and it would have cost twice as I paid to buy it, just to repair it. So I did it the American way and bought a newer (still used) model for a little more than that. Seems to be the best move I've made so far -- the thread's no longer breaking, and there's an automatic threader! Yay! Ironically, when I looked through the old xeroxed manual, I discovered they'd sent me the wrong one. Oh well. The newer one has a manual. Yay! |
User: jennhi
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-23-2004, 08:16 PM (8 of 8)
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If the machine is that old, you might be able to find someone who collects/works on/sells machines. There are quite of few people out there who do that kind of thing. Most of them specialize in a given type or brand. You might recoup your money.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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