Shoe-in

The "action" end; the threading action
is very familiar

I'm making progress on my shoe, and every session am feeling more confident with the machine. A word about it: it is a 1925 Singer, purchased by his father the year my maestro was born. The bobbin is a vertical-inset construction with the bobbin holder thingy that has to be inserted with major wrist contortions (most seamstresses will know the kind I mean). Interestingly, and amazingly, the aperture in the metal bobbin holder thingy has enlarged through years of friction with the thread. Who would have expected that?

On the shoe itself, we added stiffening in the front section (the leather is too delicate to withstand wear), and we're starting to put it on the form! While totally wrinkly in the photo, it stretches out nicely and doesn't look TOO wonky when put on the form. Hurray!

Interestingly, the machine has the "reverse" orientation from
today's sewing machines

To wind the bobbin, you place it vertically on the
horizontal screw to the left (with the white part that touches
the action wheel) and use some hand movements to ensure
an even wind. The screw in the middle of the photo
is the stitch length: lower = shorter stitches.

Stiffener inside the front part of the shoe

Not looking good quite yet, but...on its way!

Sr. Zoppini is holding this really nifty tool:
the pliers end is used to stretch the leather over the form,
but the little knobby thing towards the tip makes a
small hammer for placing nails into the form.

I've started the cutting out for the next upper!

Love,

Alexandra