The Upholstery Forum

@JimmieJoe , If we were to replace out old Singer 111 models what would you go for as a current replacment. I happen to like my machine and would be curious to try a duplicate of it that was made today.

I have not spent any time looking at new/newer model since I could not afford one. I found I was better off going the old used route for 2 reasons: 1) I could afford a used one, and 2) I had no idea of what I needed. I have purchased 7 used sewing machine while tying to figure out what I needed, and all 7 added together are still less than a new one, however, they are not ready to run at top performance out of the box, but I am very mechanically inclined so fixing them is not an issue, but finding documentation for each can be an issue.

Now that I have a better idea it would be nice to add reverse to the 111w155, and a needle positioner so that I could do 1 stitch at a time without using the hand wheel, but those are just nice to haves.

I do not do enough sewing jobs to yet to really get the benefit of reverse and can tie off my tails pretty quickly.

@JimmieJoe ,

My Singer 111G 156 always hangs up in reverse so learning not to use it. I have two used machines and one brand new one. Pretty similar but the new one is smoother not clunky you know.

@JimmieJoe Albani Sewing Center in California here has good 226Rs a lot on sale.

I will take a look at those, but not likely to purchase anything at the moment. If I was a full time Upholsterer it would make since, but currently I am doing machine sewing as an add on to my Upholstery repair business. As there are times when the Upholstery is unrepairable and an OEM replacement is not available, so I get asked to help. If it is a small job I will take it on, but for larger jobs I will outsource it. Currently, I have a bid on some outdoor commercial furniture where the fabric prematurely failed and I am probably in over my head but still being asked to help.

@JimmieJoe ,

Stick with what you are good at and take on other jobs as they come but be careful screw ups mean time and repurchase of materials.

@JimmieJoe A little trick with doing lock stitches on those 111s without reverse. Sew forward a 1/2" or less then lift the foot, pull the material back to the start. Then stitch back over the previous stitches and that should be enough to lock the thread without needing to hand tie.

Thanks. I will give that a try.

@BigRig I have put some thought into your original question, and I would probably want a Consew 369RB. I have been running into issue with top stitching different types of parts and feel a post bed would solve the issues. I have had issues on headrest, shift gators and now a 2" boxed full cushion cover without a zipper for use in a ward.

@JimmieJoe , No, No, No give yourself time and time again. Post bed is not necessary right @John?

How would you top stitch this with a flat bed? Seem you would need a post to do it easily and without frustration.

Its hard to tell from the pictures but it looks fairly large. Should be pretty easy to top stitch it if you fold it inside out and top stitch it that way.

This is 2 pieces sew together, no boxing. The material from one side blocks you from seeing the other side. This is similar to the problem I was having with the shift gator. However. With the shift gator there was also not enough clearance around all of the moving sewing machine parts.

I understand that its two pieces and no boxing. It is very do able on a flat bed machine it just takes a bit of time because you can only sew a few stitches at a time.
I sewed up a test one today and took pictures of the process. Ill post them in a min. This would make a good YT video!! I will try to get it filmed and posted soon.

Its not perfect as I was mostly just trying to show how I hold and feed the fabric.
I hope this helps!

Thanks. Seems most of your time will be spent managing the material. I am currently running into another similar issue on a 71" x 18" x2" full cushion cover with no zipper, and trying to figure out how to top stitch the final panel. There is no zipper, so the final seam has to be sewn closed after you get it stuffed.

I topstitch the first plate.

But not sure how to top stitch the second plate.

Here you can see the top stitch I already put in, but not sure how you would put in the other side.

Any thoughts on how to get the topstitch in the portion that has to be hand sewn closed.

@JimmieJoe , Good for you man you did it!