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Cadillac of Zigzaggers

8/6/2014

17 Comments

 
PictureGreist Automatic Decorator
Confession time.  I'm a bit of a klutz when it comes to using zigzagger attachments. 

You know, those handy-dandy attachments that make your Featherweight or 15-91 act like a zigzag machine?  They sure are nifty, but I've always found it a challenge to try to stitch in anything close to a straight line. 

PictureEight built-in stitch patterns.
The automatic Singer zigzaggers are an improvement over the early no-frills models, but still leave a lot to be desired in my book.  Granted, I'd probably get a whole lot better with lots and lots of practice. 

But the other day I made a discovery.  My sister gave me a box of miscellaneous garage-sale leftovers and it contained something I'd never seen before:  a Greist Automatic Decorator. 

PictureAttached to a Singer 15-91.
As discussed in the article "To Greist or Not to Greist," some collectors turn up their noses at Greist attachments because they don't bear the Singer name.  But that doesn't make them inferior.  In fact, they can be decidedly superior at times, as I discovered when I tested this one.  

How so?

PictureLever on side selects stitch pattern.
First of all, it's fully automatic, which means that there are eight stitch patterns built-in. 

That's right...no cams or discs to change!  A lever on the side selects the pattern and away you go.  Another lever disengages the zigzag mechanism, allowing you to sew straight-stitch without removing the attachment.

PictureLovely stitch quality & straight rows!
Secondly, the side-to-side zigzag action is so smooth that it's not difficult to guide the fabric in a straight line.  A refreshing difference.   

Third, the stitch quality is the best I've seen from an attachment.

Last, but not least, it's one of the prettiest zigzag attachments I've ever seen.  With its metallic gold jacket it's a perfect complement to the black and gold Singer Featherweight, 15-91, or other low-shank Singer of your choice.

So, would you like to see it in action?  

Well you get to, whether you want to or not!

See what I'm talking about?  The action is smooth and takes very little guidance. 

So where can you find one?  I've only seen one other like it in the years I've been collecting machines and attachments.  The other one had a silver jacket and was made to fit a White sewing machine.  I watch for them on eBay but have yet to see one.  I don't know if that makes it rare...or simply underappreciated.

But keep your eyes open and maybe you'll get lucky!

Happy Sewing!

Barbara 

OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most out of your old sewing gear.

17 Comments
Arrow
10/2/2014 08:40:59 am

The only machine I could make the black singer zigzagger work well enough to be worth the effort is the 201 model. Not that I have tried a lot of machines out there, but the 66 and 99 is a hassle. Not sure why because the feed dogs act much the same on any of the low shank Singers? I so want to try out the 15-91 model ;- )

Reply
Anwen
3/9/2015 01:01:10 pm

Hey Barbara - would you happen to know where I can find a list of the different models of the Greist auto-decorator? I have one with a gray cover and it doesn't fit on my Singer 15-91, Singer Featherlight 221, or Kenmore 1652, all of which are low shank and share many other attachments. For it to fit the machine's presser bar would have to be a little shorter and the needle plate hole would have to be further forward. I am terribly disappointed since my Kenmore lacks the elusive C cam #1 and can't zigzag. I have a Greist button hole attachment that is fabulous (better than my modern machine's abilities), but darn it I want to zigzag!

Thanks!

Reply
OldSewinGear
3/11/2015 02:25:07 pm

Anwen,
Sorry I don't have a list of models, but several companies made a simple low-shank zigzagger, including Singer, Greist, & Nelco. The automatic decorator is less common. The grey-cover seems to be for White-brand sewing machines, while the gold cover fits low shank. Again, sorry I can be of more specific help.
Barbara

Reply
Marie Bouman
4/5/2016 03:57:47 am

Dear Anwen: You have a high shank Greist auto decorator? I have a high shank Necchi BU. Care to sell your Greist? If so, let me know. Cordially, MCB

Reply
Anwen
4/5/2016 09:26:27 pm

Hi Marie,

Actually, the other way around. I have a White low shank and I need a Great low shank. Sorry.

Anwen
3/11/2015 03:48:02 pm

That is helpful actually. I hadn't caught on that there was more than one model when I first saw (and bought) mine. I didn't see any others at that time or I would have wondered why there was a gold one too.

Do you know if there are similarly different versions of the Greist automatic zigzagger? Most I've seen are black, but I just saw a gold one. Feeling a little paranoid now.

Thanks again Barbara!

Reply
OldSewinGear
3/15/2015 02:35:08 am

Anwen,
Yes, the basic zigzagger came in different configurations for different machines too. If you need a low-shank attaching point, then the best bet would be to stick with Singer, since they were made in either low shank or slant and it's easy to spot a slant version. Hope this helps!
Barbara

Reply
Mary
10/22/2015 07:23:59 pm

Okay, I found one that looks EXACTLY like this except its a Kenmore attachment. I can't try it out since I don't have a Kenmore, but I did open it up and saw all the cute little cams stacked up. A lever moves to the one you want, just like in a zigzag machine. It seemed a little clunky to me, but like I said I haven't tried it on an actual sewing machine yet, so hearing how much you like it makes me hopeful it will be useful to someone.

Reply
Rebbecca
12/22/2015 02:39:29 pm

I recently purchased the Kenmore version of this. The problem is it doesn't have a manual! Can you explain how to use this in more detail? My lever to switch stitches is stuck on #1... I can't get it to change. I tried pushing on the unlock thing on the opposite side but it still didn't move.

Reply
Anwen
12/26/2015 01:05:26 pm

Hi Rebecca,

Sounds like it needs to be cleaned and oiled. You should be able to take the plastic cover off. After that remove any built up gunk that might be there. Qtips and toothpicks can be useful. After that use the same type of oil you'd use on your seeing machine and place a drop anywhere you see a tiny oil hole or anywhere you see a seam or joint. Then take a little petroleum jelly and put a small bit on the various gears. After that try slowly moving each bit by hand. If you find a stiff spot add more oil and work the area. It should loosen up eventually.

I know I've seen a manual but I don't recall where. Possibly in the Yahoo Kenmore sewing machine group's file folders. I believe the operation is pretty simple once the foot works and fits correctly onto your machine. I think it's just moving the gear to the numbered stitch you want and maybe changing the stitch length. On your machine there should be a dial setting for feet, like the one you'd use for a button hole foot. Machines vary.

Reply
Lindsey
9/10/2016 09:56:16 pm

I read your blog and had to have one of these. I was surprised that it didn't take too long to find one on eBay that wasn't too, too rich. Not cheap but not silly in price. haven't even tried it yet but can't wait.

Reply
Laura
11/1/2016 08:46:53 am

Hi Barbara,

I was lucky enough to find a Greist automatic decorator yesterday at a thrift store! I excitedly took it apart, oiled it and lubricated it to get it moving nice and smoothly before hooking it up to my 15-90. The only problem is (and I've had this same problem with my regular Greist zigzagger), is that it doesn't go straight! It curves my work, almost as if since the left feed dog is longer than the right, it tends to pivot as the fabric feeds under it. When it happened with my zigzagger, I thought that my feed dogs must not be compatible with it, but obviously all the old straight stitch sewing machines have the same feed dogs I do with the left being longer than the right. Do you have any idea what is wrong? I'm assuming its a problem with the settings of my sewing machine - could my presser foot pressure be too high or something? Any ideas would be helpful!

Thanks,

Laura

Reply
Sarah Fish
11/3/2016 12:38:13 pm

No reason for anybody to turn their noses up at Griest, since they made most of the attachments for Singer and a good many other manufacturers.

Reply
Arden
2/21/2017 01:08:30 pm

Hello, Great blog btw. Thanks to this blog I happened to come across one of these. No manual though. So I was wondering if you could tell me what the knob on the top is for and do I need to lower the feed dogs to use this attachment. Much appreciated.

Reply
margaret coplin
2/19/2019 04:12:23 pm

The top knob is to adjust the pattern starting point - look thru sight hole. Mine is for standard Straight Stitch machine and the supplementary instruction on green sheet says to lay a sewing pin (bent into L shape) next to feed dogs. It should be level with feeddogs. On many old machines the feeddog adjustment is done from underneath.

Reply
Rebecca G
5/16/2017 09:52:38 am

Hello,
I am looking at buying one, but concerned it may not fit my new machine. I am new to these older machines. I have a Kenmore 117. Is that something it would fit? A low shank?
Thank you!

Reply
margaret coplin link
2/19/2019 03:51:15 pm

i just ordered and received two from Quebec Canada. they have never been used. So excited:-)
asking 45 plus 20 ship. i offered 33 plus 20. so happy the nice people accepted my offer. i believe they communicate best in French.
marge in Southern California

Reply



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