Pimp your sewing machine!

[flanagaj]

I have been trying to locate a sewing machine that will be up to the task of sewing 1000 denure cordura and webbing and am scratching my head as to what machine to buy.  I am thinking that an older metal bodies machine will be better than a modern cheap plastic one.  The issue with the older machines is that they only sew single stitch straight line and don't offer zigzag or overlocking.

So this is your chance to pimp your machine!

[D45yth]

I'd been looking at a Toyota Super Jeans.  Not old and according to reviews, a bit plasticky.  I thought it would be good for stitching through plastic, velcro or webbing though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFS6sPOqTnc

[12wheels]

Zigzag machines became popular after the Second World War and models with all metal gears are easy to find.  If you're in Europe look for the older models from Necchi, Elna, Pfaff, Husquvarna/Viking, and Bernina.  Singer also had a number of all metal models with zigzag which were produced in Great Britain and should be pretty easy to find.   I've used the Singer 503 and Necchi BU and they will easily handle any DIY bikepacking project.

Backpackinglight and Hammockforums have numerous posts which will help you out.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/search.html?q=sewing+machine&x=0&y=0

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/search.php?searchid=7195083