Necchi NA Nora

Certain machines require that I stalk the tall grass, then pounce.  I've been wanting a Nora for about 2 years and every time I find one, it's either too far away, too expensive, or in really terrible shape.  I found this one at the GW site: it was within my loosely enforced budget and in good shape.  As for distance, shipping was surprisingly reasonable -- but this is my second experience with a machine shipped via FedEx and I'm not happy.  The subject requires a small blog post of its own, so I will write one soon.

What I like about this machine is pure aesthetics.  The rounded, bullet-shaped design is what I consider Necchi's finest of the 1960s and the hulk of flat sheet metal between the cap and the throat balances the smooth form with heft.  The salmon pink color is almost ironic, although the machine came in several other colors.  (Truth be told, I wanted the hammered silver but I didn't want to spend $300.)  The hand wheel is that wonderfully tactile large, away-from-the-pillar design that is the very best for someone with hands my size and the mass of this wheel means that the inertia it generates keeps the machine running exceptionally powerfully.  Sure, some immediate start/stop control is lost due to weight but once I replace the cloth/synthetic rubber belt with a lugged version, the controller (my foot, rather) will have better control over the needle bar.

Those familiar with the Supernova models will have no trouble recognizing the familiar knobs for length, width, limiters, and tension.  The pressure knob is the screw-cap variety with a built-in oil port complete with bearing.  The angled spool pins (one is broken off) are an elegant and low-tech solution to the problem of bouncing, noisy spools, using gravity and a lower angle to draw thread downward off the spool, thus pulling the spool down to the platform.  Perfect.

I'm not entirely certain but I don't believe this model is double needle-capable, as the hook faces leftward rather than forward.  I will have to research this, though.  I don't have a manual, though I will be searching for a download when I have a few minutes.

The 1 amp motor is so quiet!  I really should do a video of this machine just to show how smooth and silent it is -- even more surprising, as this machine is oscillating rather than full rotary.  Though I need to pull the motor (and tighten the set screw on the motor shaft) for general cleaning and to polish the commutator, etc., it runs like a top, though I detect a little slowness.

I'm still cleaning the exterior and will soon begin some surgical kerosene and alcohol application on certain interior parts.  The machine included a really beat-up but genuine Necchi case, a Necchi box of attachments (mostly presser feet, some Necchi needles, two additional plates, etc.), and an additional Necchi controller.  Now my Lelia 513 has a Necchi controller of its own once this one is rewired.  Hurrah!

   

Necchi BU Mira No. 2

Sometimes a seller knows just how good the machine s/he is selling happens to be.  The guy selling this machine is well aware of Necchi's legendary engineering, tight biases and screw threading, beautiful stitching, and all else.  But he wanted it gone and I was able to buy yet another BU Mira for a mere $50 in an original Necchi cabinet (needs refinishing) and it runs.  Perfectly.

I love this machine.  Were I forced to jettison every machine save one (man, that would suck), I might choose the BU Mira just because there are few machines which do everything really, really well.  Many of my Kenmores are contenders on the basis of sheer competence and ease of use but they don't have quite the smoothness nor the panache nor the physical beauty of one of Necchi's finest models.

I love the way it sews, it sounds, it looks -- it's easy to operate, the stitch limiters work so beautifully, the tension assembly is so refined that I can choose from an almost infinite number of settings, ditto the pressure knob.  The oil ports have bearings to prevent dust, the motor has two speeds...and the Wonder Wheel is unique and very Italian.  (In the interest of full disclosure, this machine is missing the WW rods and the tire is the usual crumbled mess that needs immediate replacement with the O-ring kit workaround.)

I will never pass up a BU Mira for $50 or less.  I can't -- not one in this condition.  Do try to find one, as they're just so choice. 

Necchi Supernova Julia

On Saturday, I purchased this machine and I made an appointment with a CL seller to purchase the following .5 Reliable clutch the following morning:

It's a very nice one and in great shape, and was kept in his pristine, spotless garage next to an E-type Jaguar in mint condition. We had agreed to meet at 9 a.m. and because he had completely forgotten (and his son called him after I spoke with the boy at the door) he was 30 minutes late. He gave the motor to me and apologized profusely. Do I hate it when people forget about a meeting they've scheduled (and after all, he was the one who chose the day and time)? Hell, yes. Do I love getting free, really nice, cool stuff? Hell, yes.

The next morning (Monday) before work, I purchased another machine for $20. I bought this 401A to eventually flip, as I don't want it. It's in really great shape, includes the manual, a full set of slant feet, a bunch of other sewing paraphernalia (bobbins, cams, tools, etc.), and comes in a large, heavy mid-century modern desk that would actually work as a real desk. In thinking about it, I may keep it for a while.

Yesterday, I contacted a CL seller about a "Vintage Sears Sewing Machine" for sale, her ad showing a Necchi Julia. We agreed to meet in the evening and she came to the door barefoot and in her pajamas with her long, flowing hair dyed bright blue, her nose ring glinting in the setting sun. She was very nice and showed me the 'Netchy', explaining that her father had purchased it for her mother, who hated sewing. The father made a remark about his wife's sewing and her mother resented it so much that she never sewed again.  This isn't the first machine I've purchased that included some baggage.

In addition to those emotional scars, the machine was absolutely filthy, complete with the hair of several animals, oil varnish galore, dust, dirt (as in dirt from the garden, not the usual household dirt), and a smell that would put the smelling salts industry on notice.  I have cleaned it and it's near-mint:

The case is in fair condition but the machine is in remarkable shape and for $25, it's an absolute steal. It's as full-featured a machine that the 1960s would produce and even includes a built-in pop-down magnifying glass and separate needle threader.  I don't really like the pastel lavender color but it's consistent with its age and styling.  I haven't run the machine because the wiring is in terrible condition; although I tend to plug things in and test them despite (or in spite of) bad wiring, this one is too far gone to take that risk.

Gingher shears and scissors

Sewing is like most other skills: the better the tools, the better the results and the greater the enjoyment.  An excellent set of cutting tools are an investment, not an expenditure.  With gentle use, they'll last for many decades, will stay sharp far longer, will be able to slice a wide variety of fabrics, are more easily maintained, and are weighted for more precise and more comfortable handling.  They also look great.  Finally, they can be handed down to others or re-sold.

The scissors shown above are all made in Italy by Gingher, a well-known and respected manufacturer of fine cutting tools.  The blades are polished chrome over nickel, double-plated, and knife-edged (referring to the angle of the edge).  The four larger scissors are in a bent-handle design, allowing for easier flat cutting and they include two-finger loops for stability and better pressure.  Having large hands and fingers as well as doing a majority of flat cutting, I greatly prefer this design.  The scissors cut beautifully all the way to the tip, so I'm getting precision cuts for the entire blade length.

Many find that certain plastic-handled scissors do a fine job.  Once I started using these, I can't go back.  Knowing these will last for the rest of my life, I thankfully don't need to.  Thrifty! 

The sizes in the picture are:

10" dressmaking shears

8" spring-loaded dressmaking shears

7.5" pinking shears

6" shears

5" straight scissors

4" embroidery scissors

sharpening stone