ThayerRags

I’ve gotten interested in darning and embroidery on old Singer sewing machines, and Singer made several vintage hopping feet through the years that I want to play with to see if I can learn to use them. This first post is about a combination of machine, darning attachment, and feed cover plate that don’t work together.

I had tried to darn or embroider some text on a signature block in a 9-patch quilt block, and ran into problems trying to use Singer Darning Needle Clamp #86294 on a 1901 Singer 27K2 with the feed set at zero but no cover plate. It didn’t work well at all. Thread nesting and thread breakage were the result. I thought maybe it needed a feed cover plate to help it work.

So, I looked around for a feed cover plate, and tried the Singer #121309 Cover Plate that fits several Singer machines, but I learned that it doesn’t fit the model 27. The plate attachment hole won’t reach to the bed screw hole to attach it. So now, I’m trying to figure out if there was another feed cover plate for the model 27, or if I’m trying to use the darning needle clamp on the wrong machine.

The User Manual for models 27 & 28 addresses darning as such:
“INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING ATTACHMENTS WHICH MAY BE USED WITH SINGER SEWING MACHINE No. 27 & 28

NOTE. Before applying any of these attachments raise the needle and remove the presser foot. After substituting the attachment turn the hand wheel slowly over towards you to make sure that the needle passes through the centre of the needle hole.

Darning by sewing machine is infinitely neater, stronger, and more quickly done than by hand. A tiresome task becomes a pleasure! Read how to do this in separate pamphlet, Form 1001 ad 33, which may be obtained free from any SINGER SEWING CENTRE or Singer Salesman.”

I don't have the pamphlet, so it’s that “pleasure” that is eluding me thus far.....

CD in Oklahoma