What were/are chain stitch machines used for?
 

The recent discussions of a Willcox & Gibbs and the Singer 24 got me thinking about this. I know they were used for feed sacks and the like - an easy to remove seam was an advantage there. I'm just not sure what else they were used for.

I'm thinking a Willcox & Gibbs hand crank would be a neat addition to our growing herd!

As far as I know they were used for everyday sewing. The chain stitch if finished off properly is just as strong as a lock stitch. You just have to be aware of that end! :)

Now adays most folks use them for either mock sewing to see if the pattern worked and then snip the thread and unravel the hole thing without seam rippers to make adjustments or sew it again with a lock stitch, OR they use it for decorative free motion embroidery! They sew upside down so the pretty chain stitch is on top!

Can you tell I've looked this up? Hahaha!

Now why in the world would you have done that? :)

Love the looks of your W & G. I think one like it would look great next to our Singer 13 - particularly if I could find one from around the same era (mid-1880's) that was in nice shape. I'm looking forward to reports of how yours sews.

I just read of a long armer who uses hers to sew the long pieces to the quilt to attach to the frame.

You know i will be telling the tale of how she sews! my treadle belt spool should be here next week at the latest! so exciting for me!! :D

Some pet food bags are closed by a sewn chain stitch.

Maybe I should get to piece with that away when I sew wrong sides together it would be easy to take out. I am getting better about right sides together.

My mom used one in college to get her home Ec degree - she says she sewed everything on it. Her's was HC. After she graduated her parents bought her a Singer FW.

Now that I know that chainstitchers are good for general sewing I wonder why they're not more common? They certainly look mechanically simpler and that's usually a good thing. No futzing with bobbins! It does look like they'd use half again as much thread as a lockstitch machine since the underthread is basically doubled but I don't know if that's too big a deal.

I love the casting on this one for sale on ebay but I can't bring myself to pay that price, particularly since the decals are either missing or were never there:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1872-Wilcox-...-/310418999093

Civil war uniforms were chain stitched. One of the most imortant things to look for when looking to buy a vintage aurhentic one.

This one was added on the hand crank and base in the UK. Very pretty

I have never had a chain stitch but remember my Mother carefully taken the hem out of our dresses and saving the thread. (I still do if I have to alter pants) The chain stitch will come out without breaking and she always saved the thread in case she needed that color for something else. I believe most commercial hem machines are chain stitch.

my daughter has a chain stitch childs (toy) singer and it is great for basting....holds well and then removes easily.

Ohh! I never thought about actually using my W&G. I just thought it was the coolest looking antique machine I'd ever seen. Now to get hubby to rewire her ...................... OR find a treadle table (probably easier :D )

I have a Babylock blind hemmer. It does the chain stitch. It is very strong, but only if you remember to end the hem like they tell you to. If you don't, you will be rehemming. lol