SteveH

Hey folks,

One of my students has just arrived "somewhere" in Afghanistan. One of his first emails to me was a request for a small hand-cranked sewing machine to be shipped to him. He has been there less that two weeks and his uniforms are already getting beat up. They are in a remote location....
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The only ones I have in that category are a 1908 Singer 28 and a 1911 Singer 128. NOT what he needs.

I am NOT looking for a freebie, I am trying to figure out which machine to acquire, that would be the best blend of SMALL, relatively easy to maintain, and not "persnickety" machine. (NOT a featherweight, TOO expensive and I have been told (NO experience) that they are touchy to maintain)


Thanks in advance.
Steve

Tartan

Someone posted a site a while back on knock off hand cranks made in India? I wonder how much they are and since they would already be on the continent, cheaper than shipping from the US?

Mizkaki

Steve,

What about a Singer 99 Hand crank?

Cathy

SteveH

A hand Cranked 99 would be perfect! Know anyone who has one? hehe

I will look into the India machines, interesting thought on the shipping element.

NJ Quilter

Try looking on http://www.shopgoodwill.com. I've seen a few hand crank machines there. Might have what you're looking for.

girliegirl

Steve, I will gladly help you with $$ .... pm me your address... can you convert a machine with a homemade crank?

girliegirl

i will can my singer guy!

susansomethings

It is such a sad thing...my SIL just got out of the army. His uniforms were constantly ripping. My daughter spent more time mending them. I don't know who made the decision for the fabric they are using to make them, it is cheap & poor quality, sad very sad!!! Wish I could help...but don't have one.

SteveH

so, it turns out that it is ok to say where he is in that photo.

It is overlooking Bäk, Khost Province Afghanistan.

GirlieGirl: you rock! I think we can get it done from this end but should the need arise, I will remember your offer!

I actually have the two old singers and I am pretty sure that the hand-cranks from those would work on a 99.

My daughter overheard me mentioning converting a 99 to handcrank and shipping it to my student overseas and she though I was referring to the new 99 she just bought from Cathy/Mizkaki! hehe she was not amused!!
(Cathy - after completing her first project on her new 99k she is in love with it and wants to sell the Riccar ZZ...)

Thanks everyone for the input. I e-mailed him about this thread and it really seemed to give him a lift that folks cared enough to help. he replied "tell them I said I really appreciate this! The whole unit will appreciate it. I'll probably end up the units "stitch bitch" (sorry, his words... I'm working on civilizing him... I replied to him that the word is "tailor")

Just out of curiosity, I asked him how many troops in his unit could run a sewing machine. Still awaiting a reply.

Glenda m

Good luck with your project. Let us know if we can help in anyway.