Here is some further information about the shops in the Los Angeles Fashion District. Beginning with Bega, which has been mentioned in earlier posts, accompanied by some images of the inside, and also a couple machines which were found on the sales floor (the Taiko green machine, and the very thickly sewn yellow material with the indeterminable bar-tacker).

Bega is a no nonsense kind of industrial sewing shop. What you need can probably be found there, as long as you know what your asking for. During visits to Bega you have to consider that they cater towards a very industrious crowd that has the terms and linguistics down. Do take time to look first at all the machines they have in stock, which apparently are all used. It is rare - if ever - that they carry new machines, unless it is on a special order. Otherwise they have at least one of every type of industrial machine you could think of, including some plastic models (compact/transportable “home” machines). But once you have looked around, if you haven’t been intimidated yet, then go ahead and ask for yourself. If you can at least bring in your old parts, or have an uncanny ability to explain things, it is a sure bet that they will be able to drum up just about anything you need. In the sweet case they have every kind of small part available, plus lots of folders and even some very old and rare machines behind the counter. If there were one credibility to their name, it would probably be that they have consistently the least expensive and largest selection of presser feet on hand, however, unfortunately they are not the best presser feet (if you want a Linko brand presser foot, be specific about it).

Above is a random pull of a Nakajima Cylinder Bed. A few notes show it’s shorter bed length, and stout stance. It does have a couple of threaded ports for attaching guides, or bias tape/folding mechanisms, which may mean that this machine is suited for making purses, or other types of handbags. A longer cylinder arm would be for larger projects, and, a slightly more svelte cylinder would lend itself to making shoes, and possibly boots, which do not normally call for any kind of place to attach extra guides because the work itself is usually too detail oriented for long runs of predetermined seams.