Originally Posted by
melissam707
Excuse my ignorance but decades ago how did people make clothing on these antique (singer 99 as an example) machines? Can you actually sew clothing with just a straight stitch since it wouldn't have much give? Thank you for any information!
Having many years of experience of making my family's clothes as well as clothes for me. As long as you are using cotton or denim or a regular woven fabric, a straight stitch machine is wonderful. And you really don't want any "give" in the seam the give is designed into the pattern of the item sewn. It's only when using the newer stretchy or knits fabrics that you need any fancy type of stitch, that would allow the seam to stretch with the fabric without the thread breaking or a over-lock to prevent fraying.
I love all my straight stitch machines, I have 8 but I do have 2 that can do any type of patterns or zigzag and only use them when I need a patterned stitch.