Imperial sewing machine model 676, owned by Rachel Ryan, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada
My buddy Cameron Baily in Powell River, BC, Canada, found this Imperial Sewing Machine Model 676 user manual in a local store. He was gracious enough to digitize it for me. I am able to add this sewing machine manual, along with my other Imperial sewing machine manuals, for free download. The documentation also includes instructions for a sewing machine cabinet, important information, and a warranty card. Did you know the Imperial 676 has a 20 year warranty on parts? Wow, though that probably expired in the mid 1980s! This machine is probably about 50 years old. Thanks, Cameron!
Imperial swing machine model 703, circa 1950, Saskatchewan, Canada, threading guidelines
Morag’s Imperial sewing machine model 703 has a side threading path and no manual, so I though I’d help her out as best I can. As this is a circa 1950 machine it would be difficult to find a manual after 67 years! She had previously asked how to fill her bobbin.
Vintage Paramount sewing machine: How to fill the bobbin
Morag wrote me to ask how to fill the bobbin of her vintage Imperial sewing machine model 703. I could not find a photo of a front facing Imperial 703, but found a similar Paramount. Nevertheless filling the bobbin is common among most sewing machines, though the parts might be in slightly different places.
Filling the bobbin is necessary for any sewing machine. The bobbin needs to be filled with even and the right amount of thread tension, or your sewing line will come out uneven. Otherwise filling the bobbin is pretty easy.
Traditional socks, top, with the good side outside, serged seams on the inside. Socks for sensitive skin, bottom, good side on the inside, serged seams on the outside. Are you confused yet? Toronto, Canada. Photo1 by Don Tai.
Take for granted, we do, something that is, literally, low on the prestige scale of clothing. At least shoes are on the outside, with their shiny leather, and can be seen and noticed. Socks are hidden by pant legs and shoes, far from drawing attention to themselves. In the summer socks are eschewed altogether. How is that for gratitude? This is one downtrodden product. Big Weed has sensitive skin, and when I started making fleece socks she told me the design was all wrong for her. She wanted something she could not buy. I was intrigued.
Imperial Deluxe Zigzag sewing machine, front view, Powell River, BC, Canada
As the self-appointed custodian of Imperial sewing machine information on the Internet I have had the pleasure of meeting so many like minded nice people that would also like to help others. This is how the internet should work: To reach out and help others learn what you know. A reader has sent me his user manual for the Imperial DeLuxe Zig Zag sewing machine, and I thank him for his contribution. It is free for your download.
Vans Hawaiian Ocean shoes. They have really thick tongues. We removed the thick foam.
Like, Little Weed did, his new Vans shoes. The box says they are the Hawaiianocean model. What he did not realize and regretted was the super thick tongue that came with the shoe. Here is how to remove it.
The Vans Hawaiian Ocean model comes with a super thick and squishy tongue. It makes it harder to securely tie up your shoe laces. Little Weed wanted this thick tongue removed, so I did.
Had a hunch I did, that the warped Alvin cutting mat at Goodwill could be repaired, and I was right. The mat seemed to have some smooth but pretty funky curves and did not sit flat. I baked it!
The Alvin cutting mat is pretty thick, so simply bending it would probably break it. After some Google research I tried the oven reheat solution. Here it is:
Learning is difficult and always hit and miss. Of course it is best to learn from a competent teacher, but often you do not know anyone with such high credentials. Often I get an interest and learn on my own. You go to the store and ask questions. There are books to read and then you experiment, learning as you go. Of course your results may vary. After lots of projects you might get it right. Really, it is best to find a great teacher.
Imperial Deluxe sewing machine, circa 1966, no model number
Tried I did in an extensive Google Search to find the model number for this sewing machine, but I could not. In fact, I could not even find a single images that was exactly the same machine. Yes, there are many that are similar, Imperials with three large knobs on the right side, but not quite. In this, the great age of the Internet, there is still objects, products and knowledge out there for us to discover and publish. This Imperial Deluxe sewing machine is one of them. I date this Imperial Deluxe sewing machine to circa 1966-1970, as compared to other Imperials in Eaton’s catalogues here in Canada. If you have the same sewing machine, leave a message for me.
Call me crazy, but as the self-appointed archivist for Imperial sewing machines on the internet, I thought it would be great to display some ads from Eatons and Simpsons, here in Canada. These ads are from the 1960s, and are really good for time dating your machine. I thank the Library and Archives Canada for posting these resources online, for the betterment of the world. Note that the Archive only has specific years, namely 1965, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1975, so this limits how well we can date Imperial sewing machines here in Canada. If you have another source please let me know and I will research it. “Sewing machine” in French is “machine à coudre”, if you are searching.
