OldSewinGear News Reviews & How To's

Just for Kids? Chain Stitch Basting Basics

6/15/2013

Single-thread chain stitch basting.

If you've every played with a toy sewing machine, you know what chain stitch looks like.

So maybe you think it's kid stuff.

But did you know that Singer made full-size "grown-up" machines that also sew chain stitch.

What exactly is chain stitch? Is it useful? Which Singer models have a chain stitch feature?

Good questions! Let's answer them.

First let's briefly review how a sewing machine works.

A sewing machine typically has two threads. The top thread passes through the needle and the bottom thread is wound on a bobbin. When the needle point pierces through the fabric it draws the top thread down to where a hook grabs the thread and wraps it around the bobbin thread before releasing the top thread.  When the needle raises back up through the fabric the two threads are "locked" together to form a complete stitch.

Chain stitch is different because it uses a single thread.  When the needle pierces through the fabric, the machine loops the top thread around itself, forming a series of interlocking loops.  From the top it looks like a normal straight stitch, but from the bottom it looks like a chain.

The beauty of chain stitch can also be its fatal flaw, because chain stitched seams can be removed with a single tug on the end thread.

Which is great if you WANT to sew a temporary seam, but a real frustration if need a permanent seam. You can lose an hour's work in seconds if you pull on the wrong thread.

Which is why chain stitch is typically reserved for toys or handheld "quick repair" sewing tools. But there are situations when a temporary stitch is a desirable tool for dressmaking or quilting.

Which is why Singer included chain stitch as a feature on some Slant-o-Matic and Touch & Sew Models.

Which ones? Let's take a look:

411G, 600E, and 603E are notable examples of chain-stitch capability along with steel gears and a slant needle. Most Touch & Sew models have chain stitch capability, but beware of plastic gears!

So if you're looking for a heavy duty machine or quilting machine with the added bonus of chain-stitch basting keep an eye out for one of these remarkable machines!

Happy Sewing!
Barbara
OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most out of your old sewing gear.

3 Comments

How to use a Singer Special Disc

5/15/2013

23 Comments

Singer Special Disc #16

Ever wondered how to use a Singer Special Disc?

It's actually pretty simple!

First, select the stitch pattern you want to use. There are 24 discs available for the Slant-o-Matic and early Touch & Sew machines. They are numbered 0-23, with 0 being standard zigzag and 23 being basting stitch.

Next, open the lid on the top of your machine:

Check to see if there is already a disc in the machine:

500 disc compartment WITH disc

500 disc compartment WITHOUT disc

Singer 401 stitch selector knob.

If there is already a disc in the machine, you will need to remove it before inserting the disc of your choice.

To remove or insert a disc you may need to adjust the knob or lever settings on your machine.

If you have a 401, 411, 500, or 600 model, make sure the stitch selector is NOT on "Special."

Singer 600 stitch selector levers

Singer 500 stitch selector knob

403 stitch width lever

If your machine is a 403, 503, or 603 model, set the stitch width lever to "S" or "STR".

Grasp the raised center portion of the disc firmly and pull straight up. There's no special trick to this. As my dad always says, "Pull hard and it'll come easy."

Now you're ready to insert your chosen disc. Line up the holes in the disc with the two posts in the disc compartment.

Press disc firmly into place. There should be a slight click when it's fully seated.

Let's look at it in motion:

Next, readjust knobs & levers for Special Disc sewing.

For 401, 411, and 500 machines, set large center knob at "B" on the left and "Special" on the right. For 600 machines, set the upper stitch selector lever at "Special" and the lower stitch selector lever at "B". Then set stitch width lever to desired width.

For 403, 403, and 503 machines, set stitch width lever to desired width.

Finally, adjust the stitch length lever to desired density. Special Disc patterns typically look best when sewn at the shortest stitch length possible.

That's it! You're ready to sew. It's really that easy.

Happy Sewing!
Barbara
OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most out of your old sewing gear.

If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend getting a copy of the instruction manual for your machine. Singer offers free downloads of most manuals on their website: htty://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals

23 Comments

Help! I need a heavy duty machine

8/27/2012

0 Comments

Some heavy duty sewing in my future! Have been looking for a vintage trailer and just brought this baby home. (No, I didn't pay the asking price!)

It's a 1962 Airstream Globetrotter 19' in need of a lot of TLC. Luckily I have just the guy to do the job! Especially since my family owned this very trailer 25 years ago and Dad knew it inside and out!

Will need new cushions and curtains so my personal machine will be getting a workout.

My personal machine right now is a 603 Touch & Sew. It's one of the early models with steel gears and it's a real workhorse. I'd love to have a 401 or 403 but haven't been able to justify keeping one when this does the job and we can sell the 401 or 403 for a much better profit.

The steel-geared 600 series is every bit as heavy duty as the 500 series and I love the wind-in-place bobbin. Since I don't typically need anything more than zig-zag it's simple to operate. But it does have the Special Disc option if I need a fancy stitch.

Considering a 600 or 603? Here's what to look for.

Take the time to pull off the drip pan and look at the gears beneath the bobbin case. You have to remove all 4 feet to remove the drip pan, but it's worth the effort to know before you buy. If the gears are metal like the ones shown at left...great!

On the other hand, if these gears are black plastic...not so good. The type of plastic Singer used on these gets very brittle with age and eventually crumble. If the gears are white then they have been replaced with nylon, which is a big improvement on the black plastic, but will not hold up to continuous heavy duty use without risk of gear-stripping.

I love my 603. It's smooth and quiet and will sew new cushion covers for my Airstream with no problem. I'll post pictures of that project when the day comes. In the meantime I'm glad I have the tools at hand.

Happy Sewing!
Barbara

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Just for Kids? Chain Stitch Basting Basics

How to use a Singer Special Disc

Help! I need a heavy duty machine

Considering a 600 or 603? Here's what to look for.

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Just for Kids? Chain Stitch Basting Basics

How to use a Singer Special Disc

Help! I need a heavy duty machine

Considering a 600 or 603? Here's what to look for.

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