Merrow Sewing Machine Co.

Preparing for ActiveSeam Launch in Europe

2012-05-11T10:18:00.000-04:00

We're headed to Istanbul with ActiveSeam

the European debut of the world's first branded stitch!

The booth will be part of Ugur's gigantic display at the Tuyap show beginning on May 30th. We've sent out 15,000 invites, and expect it to be quite a party. If you're thinking of going, send an email to nate@merrow.com. We've got a great week planned - the more the merrower. :)

We'll be showing off ActiveSeam - as well as the Merrow Purl, Shell, Emblem and End-to-End machines. We'll also have garment samples and stitch swatches available. If you have a custom request let us know before May 25th and we'll carry it to the show.

Look out Istanbul, we're packing our bags and readying the caravan!

Building a Tradeshow Booth - for Activeseam

2012-04-30T16:07:00.000-04:00

The evolution of a successful tradeshow booth. Or How to build a cost effective trade show display.

Why this post? We found that it cost dumb money to have someone produce a booth - So in the interest of democratizing the tradeshow development process, we're going to share with you a quick synopsis of how we built an ass-kicking 10X20 booth without breaking the bank.

THE BACKSTORY -

After the success of the show in Mexico in March, we decided it was time to introduce Activeseam to the US market, and the opportunity was the Texprocess show produced by SPESA in Atlanta in April.

We had three weeks from the moment we made the decision - Nothing existed to display prior to this show.

Nate Murray was given the task of building from scratch a tradeshow booth designed to show off the new program, while supporting our legacy machines as well.

He also had 100% responsibility for booking the space, the hotels, and travel arrangements for three people.

Here's how we did it.

1. Sketch-up
It's free, and after three days or so of design work we landed on something we thought made sense.

2. IKEA
It's not free - but it's cheap. Here's what we used
A. the SLATTEN flooring @ .65/ft
This took about 90 minutes to put in the 10X20 space. It is a two man job...but when you're done, damn does it look good.
B. EXHIBIT for showing off machines and line cards
C. MOBIUS for portable tables

3. NEGOTIATE
Everything was negotiable (except IKEA and the plane tickets). We were able to adjust booth space price, the hotel price, the freight charges, the posters etc.

4. http://www.ultratruss.com/
These guys - who don't know that we're going to say really nice things about them - were helpful, quick and most importantly, they make a really nice product. Nate and I set it up in 20 minutes. It was a piece of cake. Push comes to shove - i'd call it essential. With all of the other problems you'll have at a show, having this remarkably well built/easy to assemble truss will be like that first chest full of cool fresh air after 10 hours on well over capacity 105 degree bus with busted half shut windows, shoulder to shoulder, non-stop, Guatamala city to Puebla. It will just feel nice.

5. POSTERS
Order them online - direct ship to the show.
Make twice as many as you need - order the retractable ones, and use them as wall backing to cover the back and sides of the booth. Yeah, it could have been tighter, and the zip ties weren't perfect- however for short money you get a versatile, reusable thing that is very easy to ship. I can't say enough about the stand-up 33"X80" posters. The booth space is always a little different than you expect, and these let you change the blocking of the booth while you're there to better handle traffic.

6. TIME
We blew it on time. Assume you need 6 hours to assemble the booth, and then double it. I think all told, it took two of us 8 hours to put this one up

---

Get there a day early - and leave a day late. Expect that the union will exact a pound of flesh to deliver your stuff - DON'T PANIC. These are the things to let happen. There is no rational argument that will change the idiocy of union organized trade show organization.

Bring tools - but not too many! You need a screwgun, a hammer, an allen key, a rubber mallot and a couple of large screw drivers. You need Zip ties and lots of packing tape, shrink wrap and packing foam.

Remember velcro with an adhesive backing!

Pack Acrylic stands for Line Cards.

That's really it. With a few tools and the aforementioned display items you end up with:

Exintex Mexico 2012

2012-04-06T10:50:00.001-04:00

Exintex Mexico 2012, a set on Flickr.

Some photos from the successful show in Mexico featuring ActiveSeam and Provedora Remco.

the 2012 Merrow Product Catalog has shipped!

2012-01-26T07:59:00.003-05:00

After many (many, many) hours of work the 2012 Marketing packages are headed out the door. Here's the announcement:

...and the Letter from Nate:

After several months of work, it is my pleasure to present the 2012 series of Merrow catalogues and brochures, describing in detail the value and application of Merrow products.

This year we have created several types of material to help educate our customers about the wide variety of products offered.

1. A Product Catalogue showcasing our sewing machines, some accessories and service programs

2. Specific Application Brochures (the Active Seam brochure) highlighting niche markets

3. Product Family Brochures (the Needle Brochure) describing a group of products

4. Line Cards (all available online) listing every Merrow product in a one page printable format

5. Application Cards (all available online) that describe dozens of the most popular Merrow applications

6. The 2012 Stitch Book (available upon request) profiling 50 sewn Merrow samples

At Merrow we work hard to support our agents and customers, and this latest release of marketing material is one of many major initiatives planned in 2012 to increase the awareness of Merrow in the market place.

Everything available in this packet is also available online; in fact the website www.merrow.com contains a wealth of information and detail about all of these products and much much more.

We hope that Merrow will remain an important part of your business in 2012, and I expect that should you need any specific information about our products, you will contact me directly; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Nate Murray

Director of Marketing

Merrow Sewing Machine Co.

email: nate@merrow.com

phone: 508.689.4095

Looper Bending - 19 Points

2011-11-18T16:21:00.001-05:00

Looper Bending for Merrow Sewing Machines

Before installing and adjusting Merrow Loopers, please make sure you have a Merrow 30-10 Looper Bender.

NOTE: Loopers are designed to be bent only in the shank area.

1. Install the lower looper, pushing it all the way to the right.

2. Tighten the looper set screw securely against the flat spot on the looper shank.

3. Install a new needle into the Needle Carrier. (Be sure that the needle shank is all the way back against the carrier stop pin. Tighten the needle carrier nut securely.

4. Turn the handwheel in the operating direction until the needle is at the bottom of its travel, and the looper is all the way to the left.

5. Continue to slowly turn the handwheel until the tip of the Lower Looper is positioned at the left edge of the needle. In this position, the tip of the looper should firmly touch the needle without deflecting it. The tip of the looper should be positioned one-sixteenth of an inch above the top of the needle eye.

6.To make this adjustment fist use side C of the Looper Bender and bend the looper UP or DOWN

NOTE: When bending the loopers always bend them slightly farther in the direction desired, then flex it back to the new position. Otherwise , in use, the looper is likely to gradually spring back to it’s original position.

7. Use side A of the Looper Bender and bend the looper so the tip makes a firm contact with the needle without deflecting it.

8. Install the Upper Looper into the Looper Carrier. Push it all the way into the carrier and tighten the set screw securely against the flat spot on the shank.

9. Turn the Hand Wheel until the Upper Looperis at it’s farthest position to the left.

10. Slowly turn the handwheel until the needle is just behind the upper looper.

11. The needle should pass as close to the Upper Looper blade as possible WITHOUT touching it, and, just to the right of the slot in the looper head

12. Use side A of the Looper Bender to bend the looper CLOSER of FARTHER away from the Needle.

13. Use side C of the Looper Bender to bend the looper UP or DOWN

14. When this adjustment is correct , turn the handwheel until the Upper Looperis all the way to the right.

15. Slowly rock the handwheel clockwise and counterclockwise.

16. On the up and down stroke, the top part of the slot in the Upper Loopershould pass jusst clear of the left end of the lower looper.

17. Use side C of the Looper Bender to bend the Upper Looper slightly UP or DOWN

18. Use side A of the Looper Bender to bend the Upper Looper slightly CLOSER or FARTHER AWAY from the bottom looper.

19. Finally turn the handwheel thought one full cycle and check to see that the loopers and needle are properly aligned to each other.

FOR MORE HELP PLEASE VISIT MERROW.COM, EMAIL SUPPORT@MERROW.COM OR CALL 508.689.4095. Merrow is located in Fall River, MA and has both a factory direct service program and more than 160 agents around the world.

Evolution of a Sewing Machine

2011-10-21T15:57:00.003-04:00

The new flatlock assassins (the MB-4DFO ActiveSeam™ machines) on the cart before a stint at the testing station. Cams and cam shafts are already installed, and the feed system, needle carrier, and loopers will be fitted before the machines are run for sixteen hours non-stop. Next stop, customer sample rooms!

How a Sewing Machine is born

2011-10-17T16:14:00.001-04:00

Ever wondered how a sewing machine is born.

It happens right here when the pretty little ladies come in from paint
- note the new blue MB-4DFO Hotness...

These frames will be inspected, and built up by the end of the week.

Anyone with a new MG-3U on order (or for those that have been waiting months...) we'll start shipping them friday.

The first production of the Flatlock Assassin MB-4DFO, will be shipping to several sample rooms next week.

ActiveSeam™: A definition

2011-10-07T14:24:00.001-04:00

The Merrow ActiveSeam™ is a exciting new flat seam, produced on the premier MB-4DFO industrial sewing machine, creating the world’s first branded stitch.

The NEW Merrow ActiveSeam™ Flat Overlock is a simple to produce, more comfortable alternative to Flatlock stitching for active wear and athletic garments.

While it retains the flat profile of the flatlock stitch, the ActiveSeam™ represents an advancement in style and offers a diverse portfolio of widths and looks not before offered. The two thread construction and simple production make it easier and more efficient to apply, translating to significant cost savings.

When considered together, the combination of application parity, improved wearability, and production simplicity imbue the ActiveSeam™ with significantly more value and marketability than generic flatlocking.

The MB-4DFO is purpose-built to sew the ActiveSeam™ on your material. Merrow has been hand-building it’s cam-driven sewing machines since 1838, and our Stitch Lab™ configures each MB-4DFO to sew on your material before it’s shipped to your production facility.

The NEW Merrow ActiveSeam - Replaces Flatlock on Base Layers and Activewear

2011-09-15T14:20:00.000-04:00

Congratulations all around - Today we're introducing ActiveSeam.

The new news at Merrow - there is a new stitch in town. That's right - after seven years of tinkering with our designs and adjusting things, we've got a beautiful, flat, durable new seam.

We think she's a game-changer.

She's called: 'ActiveSeam' - the Merrow ActiveSeam.

What makes this a different stitch?
It is flat. It is soft. And it looks outstanding.
It replaces flatlock. Did we say that yet? :)

There will be a lot more to come, and i'm sure if you're reading this blog post you may well have gotten one of the mails announcing ActiveSeam, so in the interest of brevity, i'll just post the pictures.

Congratulations all around -
With no further ado: ActiveSeam

Merrow For Geotextiles - An Increasingly popular application

2011-08-23T12:00:00.001-04:00

Locked Stitch for Porous Material [70-D3B-2 LS]
Gap Stitch for Thick Material [70-D3B-2 G]
Heavy Duty for Dense High Pile [COMING SOON!]
Rolled Edge for Loose Weave [72-D3B-2 R]
Automated Butted Seam for Wide Material [70-D3B-2 RAIL]
Advanced Butted Seam with Material Control [72-D3B-2]

For more information, contact Fred Duarte at fduarte@merrow.com

Merrow Butt Seaming Machines - wovens, non wovens and knits

2011-08-22T15:41:00.002-04:00

1 or 2 Thread Sewing
Flat or Rolled Seams
Wet or Dry Environments
Table or Railway Mountable
Locked or Removable Stitch
3/8" or 5/8" Stitch Width
Woven, Knit, Non-Woven, or High Pile Seaming

For more information, contact Fred Duarte at fduarte@merrow.com

Merrow Seaming Solutions for Foam Cushions

2011-08-22T15:41:00.001-04:00

Merrow’s rail-mounted, high pile machine is used by some of the largest companies in the automotive and home furnishing industries to join cushioning material for seats and furniture. The stitch lays exceptionally flat without lapping or bunching and is imperceptible when covered, allowing smaller scraps to be joined into one useful piece.
For more information, contact Fred Duarte at fduarte@merrow.com

MERROW FACTORY SEWING MACHINE SERVICE!

2011-08-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

1. Merrow will send a certified safe packaging box to you or directly to your customer.
2. Machine is sent to the Merrow Factory drained of oil (FREE OF CHARGE!)
3. Merrow technicians completely disassemble, clean, and service your machine (*see above for list of standard parts that are replaced)
4. We send your machine back to you as good as new in 7 BUSINESS DAYS
For more information, contact Fred Duarte at fduarte@merrow.com

Project Runway & Merrow

2011-07-30T08:16:00.002-04:00

Yesterday this clip made it into the Merrow offices... Michael Kors commenting on a designers sewing skills on Project Runway. So how does one tell if an upcoming designer is sewing perfectly... One looks at the Merrow Stitch: EDIT: UPDATE --> THE PROJECT RUNWAY VIDEO WAS TAKEN DOWN so it goes. Michael Kors giveth (an endorsement) and the TV Gods taketh away our moment in the sun. Well until its posted on hulu and we can screen grab it, you'll have to take our word for it!

We're still hiring

2011-07-14T14:38:00.002-04:00

We're still hiring! Open position for Inside Sales, Purchasing and Engineering. Apply Here

Working at Merrow is casual, fun and usually very interesting. We're gearing up to a couple of great product launches and we need help!

At Merrow we do more than build the world's best sewing machines - we also manage a robust online community, several online stores AND we have really great office space. 30K square foot loft space with hanging desks, 8X8 rolling planters and a complete cycling repair center.

We're 20 minutes from Providence and about an hour from Boston.

Interested? Let us know, send an email to working@merrow.com

...and the hits just keep on coming!

2011-06-30T12:50:00.005-04:00

We've been shipping a lot of inventory as a result of the end of our fiscal year thanks to the hard work put in by Fred and all of our dealers. Here are a couple of pictures of the last shipments to go out before we close down for inventory - there are 70-D3B-2's, CNP's, and Raven Tables on those pallets!

We're Hiring!

2011-06-28T15:01:00.000-04:00

Starting this month we're opening three positions:

Inside Sales
Purchasing
Engineering

It's going to be a great year!

Stitch Samples....

2011-06-28T13:01:00.000-04:00

And every once in a while our sample room gets infiltrated by the Weimaraner -- fortunately we usually know where to find him -- in the High Pile Samples

Seaming Paint Rollers with the Merrow High Pile Machine

2011-06-16T13:28:00.013-04:00

In case you were wondering how paint rollers get their shape, they're sewn into tubes by Merrow machines. The Merrow 70-D3B-2 HP is a Merrow butted seam machine that is used to join the edges of the material, creating the tube that then slides onto the roller. The 70-D3B-2 HP (for high pile) is specifically set up to handle thicker material and can be mounted to a automated railway, making it perfect for difficult, high volume applications such as this.

Click Here to Learn More about the Merrow 70-D3B-2 HP

Four Reasons to Use the Merrow Raven Table

2011-06-10T14:51:00.008-04:00

1. It's Sturdy

The Raven Table centers the sewing machine and motor over a broad base to provide unequaled stability for a portable sewing table. The proportions of the base and table are sized and positioned to distribute weight over the center for balance, even on slippery surfaces

2. It Can Take Abuse

Oil, dirt, bumping into other equipment, harsh language - the Raven has a sturdy steel frame and a formed resin work surface to insulate it against the dangers of factory life.

3. It's Portable

The table is meant to maneuver the factory floor or the shop dog. It sits on lockable, cartridge bearing castor wheels for smooth rolling and precise handling. The orange color is for safety and speed.

4. It's Economical

The Raven comes in at a price point that makes it easy to accessorize with an air motor, a clutch motor, or your favorite butt-seaming machine. Like everything Merrow, it's built for durability and will last for years, maximizing your return on investment.

Check out the available Merrow Raven Table configurations here.

the "fs-2" in action

2011-06-09T09:17:00.011-04:00

i thought i'd post a video of a factory using our mg-2dfs-2, which sews a stitch that replaces the traditional flatlock and cover stitches on athletic garments. in this particular video, the worker is sewing superfine wool with silk thread on a garment that will then be dyed. we've had nothing but positive reviews for the mg-2dfs-2, and we're particularly excited about some of the cool applications where it is being used.

Another Day, Another Application

2011-06-08T12:28:00.003-04:00

as i was walking through the stitch lab, i came across an interesting application sewn on our mg-3dge-7 netting machine. although this particular sample was sewn on a piece of flannel that had been lying around, i thought i'd post it to the blog for people to check out. to accommodate a dealer's request, the stitch lab modified our sample mg-3dge-7 so that it could insert a piece of 3/16" cord into the stitch, an application that is particularly useful for laundry bags.

Merrow Butt-Seaming Platform 2012 MODELS

2011-06-07T12:47:00.006-04:00

apologies for the lapse between posts - we've been busy manufacturing machines and building business. charlie had an exciting trip the texprocess trade show in frankfurt, germany, the fruits of which will be highlighted in this blog, so stay tuned! in the meantime, be sure to check out our applications pages (we are constantly updating them with useful and novel things that merrows sew) and be on the look out for new merrow products - coming soon to an agent near you!

The Merrow line of Butt-Seaming equipment exists to provide a near infinite array of variations for solving customer seaming issues. With 11 standard models (all sharing the same platform) and any combination of seven configurable options to choose from, Merrow's Butt-Seaming line is the ONLY comprehensive solution for material joining problems - NO OTHER MANUFACTURER has the breadth of equipment or experience for solving customers’ specific needs. Send us a material sample and we’ll show you why Merrow is the most dependable way to satisfy your seaming demands. The Merrow line of Butt-Seaming equipment - one platform, 11 models, infinite variations.

Merrow Dealer Login Link - IT'S BACK!

2011-05-09T12:00:00.003-04:00

Merrow
Reseller Pring Online

Your USERNAME is *|Your Email|*

Your PASSWORD is: 'merrow'

THE RESELLER LOGIN link is back! Get pricing for Merrow products and download marketing material online! The reseller login is formatted for IE, Firefox and Chrome and is available on your iphone.

Merrow.com - New Look, New Stuff

2011-05-05T09:01:00.008-04:00

In case you hadn't noticed, merrow.com has changed! New look, new content, easier navigation. We're constantly adding new machines, Merrow branded product, and applications (see below) so be sure to check in often!

	Merrow.com. NEW, FAST, EASY. At the new Merrow.com you can view new models, peruse stitch applications, read customer stories from those who use our machines, and contact us with a stitch sample request with a click of a button. We've conveniently grouped our machines into F ashion Sewing, Techinical Sewing a, or End-to-End Seaming for a more streamlined experience, and added a killer new menu that allows you to see everything all at once. Visit the newly redesigned Merrow.com - the best way to explore all that the Merrow Sewing Machine Company has to offer.

NEW Products

Along with new content and a new design, we've added new products to Merrow.com, from new machine models to the new Raven Sewing Table. Visit us often to stay up-to-date with latest machine models and Merrow branded products and accessories.

Applications

Not sure which style Merrow Machine you need? With our Applications (accessed via the main menu or the Fashion, Technical Sewing, or End-to-End Seaming pages) you can browse a long list of Applications for which Merrow Machines are used. This is a running list and we are adding to it all the time!

The Merrow Stitch Lab®

Once you've seen all that Merrow has to offer, click the Stitch Lab Tab to contact us (located underneath the main menu bar). The Stitch Lab drop down box let's you coordinate shipment of your material to be sewn off on the correct Merrow Machine (it's FREE!!!), or to submit a request to be contacted by typing in your email address. Drop us a note!

Customer Stories

Merrow has a rich customer base that is growing all the time. You can now see a list of Merrow customers on the F ashion, Technical Sewing, or End-to-End Seaming pages and read stories featuring select companies. Check out the Customer Stories tab in the main menu and read a few examples that highlight the unique relationship Merrow shares with it's customers!