Sewing machine for rug repairs?

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poiuytrewq

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Not pointing any fingers (much) but since a certain little TB moved in my rugs are getting ripped constantly.
At first I was sending them for repair, generally not huge repairs but I now have I think 5/6 rugs to send and the repair lady is so slow I know I won’t see them again for at least a month or two.
I have a sewing machine. It was a strange present from my parents 😳 apparently they thought I’d always wanted one (I never sew 😂)
Anyway it’s not man enough for hard core fabric eg, sewing a surcingle back on or anything much thicker than cotton.
Can I get stronger needles/thread or can anyone direct me to where I could fine one man enough to try fixing my own rugs please?
 
You can get strong needles (I use denim ones) and strong thread. I surprise myself at how well my rug repairs turn out. I couldn’t sew anything else but I’m good at rugs 😀
 
That sounds hopeful! Can the foot be lifted higher? I assume so. I pass signs to a fabric shop on my way to work so may call in. What about turnouts have you fixed them?
 
If the rips are not complicated - so straight tears or simple corners, it is easiest to do it yourself. I use a quilting needle - but you could use a denim one or an upholstery one. And double thickness waxed quilting thread. I personally find it easier to do on the horse as the rug is upright and at a convenient height. They do have to stand still though!

For a sewing machine - a normal domestic one would be a challenge. But if you have a high standard or semi pro one you'll do fine. You need to be able to remove part of the base plate to open the throat of the machine to cope with the bulk. (The same way you would if you were setting a sleeve or quiting on the machine) You can buy heavy duty needles and - as above - use waxed quilting thread. It also helps to be able to drop the feed dog which makes it easier to keep the layers together - although with a bit of practice you can keep the top bits at the same pace as the bottom. Adjustable tension dics are also a must - you need a looser tension that you would for sewing cotton.
 
My 30yr old industrial singer gave up the ghost earlier this year. I have replaced it with a Juki, which is doing a great job.

I too have a trasher who enjoys putting tears into everyones rugs.

I didn't want mine washed everytime they went for repairs.
 
Hello,

I have fixed many a rug on an old singer straight stitch sewing machine. Think it was a singer 15k. When the going got really tough I used to use the thickest leather needle I could buy! That machine would literally sew through anything, I fixed chaps on it and all sorts. I have had other older (all metal) machines that have also come close performance wise.
 
I have 8 sewing machines ranging from 1915 treadle Singer 45k which is cast iron and saw service in both world wars making tarpaulins to domestic machiines which on reflection I need to get rid of as I don't use them!
I have just bought a new MONSTER long arm cylinder machine which makes my 45k singer look like a domestic and weighs in at 400lbs. Took me a week to pluck up the courage to get it off the pallet it arrived on!
Getting back to your original question, if your sewing machine has the right lift on the presser foot then you should be able to do them, a walking foot helps too. PLEASE make sure when you are using thicker materials and making the machine work hard you wear safety googles, years ago I was on a machine putting in new zips in jeans, did hundreds of them but oneday the needle caught the seam wrong and snapped, the tip lodged itself in my face just below my eye. From that day on, I always wore safety glasses.
If my monster machine needle were to break it would be like a crowbow bolt coming at me!
The needle on that is 2mm thick
The older domestic Singers are good and fairly robust, used to take one round yards along with my 45k's (had 2 at one time) and do rug , chaps, webbing headcollars and all sorts of repairs on them.

Oz (Saddler)
 
poiuytrewq said:
That sounds hopeful! Can the foot be lifted higher? I assume so. I pass signs to a fabric shop on my way to work so may call in. What about turnouts have you fixed them?
Click to expand...

I just can just manage to get a turnout and circingle under the foot on mine. I haven’t tried h/w but m/w are doable. I haven’t got anything fancy just a 15 year old hand me down machine from my mum.

I only really attempt it because it doesn’t matter what it looks like as long as it’s functional. I then rub a candle over the join to waterproof it.
 
A heavy duty leather needle is your friend, it will have a triangular head and should be strong enough. Also buy some heavy duty thread, ordinary machine thread will break all the time when you sew rugs. Good luck
 
Well it can’t hurt to try can it! I’ve got several fly sheets so start so they should be easier than big rugs til I get my bearings!
Thanks for the needles/thread advice.
Oz, that made me cringe! Fab advice and something I’d not have thought of in a million years! 😳
 
Britestar said:
My 30yr old industrial singer gave up the ghost earlier this year. I have replaced it with a Juki, which is doing a great job.

I too have a trasher who enjoys putting tears into everyones rugs.

I didn't want mine washed everytime they went for repairs.
Click to expand...
I am looking at a Juki. What model do you have? Need to sew surcingles back on etc on to both turnout and quilted rugs.
 
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