[SmileGuy49]

I am redoing the seats in my 49 Plymouth but am no longer able to get my hand on the sewing machine I was expecting to use. I am on a very tight budget and was hoping someone could tell me about machine I can get that will get the job done. I am not planning on doing more than the two bench seats with it. A while back I had seen a post on the internet about an old standard machine that could sew through 9 layers of denim, and I was hoping something like this may be able to handle a couple layers of vinyl. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[DanTwoLakes]

A home sewing machine's limitation is the thickness going under the foot. As long as you're not trying to sew through 2 layers of 1/2" sew foam, a home sewing machine will do what you want to do. It will easily sew through 5 layers of vinyl.

[SmileGuy49]

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

A home sewing machine's limitation is the thickness going under the foot. As long as you're not trying to sew through 2 layers of 1/2" sew foam, a home sewing machine will do what you want to do. It will easily sew through 5 layers of vinyl.

Thanks for the info! I gave it a test last night and it seemed to work just fine. I will baby it a little so my wife cant complain about me breaking her machine. What kind of thread should I be using, and where can I buy it?
Thanks

[willowbilly3]

I have owned and still own many of the old direct drive Singers. Most any of the 300, 400 or 500 series have all steel gears and a direct drive (as in no belt). As mentioned the foot doesn't raise real far and they are not a walking foot but several I have gotten for $10 and never paid more than $60. The 401 is probably the most desirable but if you just want a straight stitch machine, any in those series have the same strength. The one I use the most right now is a 503 (know as a rocketeer due to it's 50s art deco shape) with the different cams for decorative stitching and I have sewn upholstery type leather and it will sew through anything you can get under the foot. You can also get lots of different feet such as one for doing piping.

[DanTwoLakes]

Originally Posted by SmileGuy49

Thanks for the info! I gave it a test last night and it seemed to work just fine. I will baby it a little so my wife cant complain about me breaking her machine. What kind of thread should I be using, and where can I buy it?
Thanks

You need to use at least size 69 and preferably size 92 nylon or polyester thread. You will also need to go buy the largest size needles your wife's machine can handle. If they don't have it where you buy the needles, you can buy it online here: THREAD EXCHANGE

[OneMoreTime]

I have an old Viking machine that will do some fairly heavy stuff..have built a Tipi and some seat covers. Not that my work is any great thing but it does work..

Sam