pennycandy

Thank you Mickey2 for all that information. Singer practically had a monopoly in my area with Kenmore being the other alternative. Never have I seen Phoenix or Adler.

There is a Gritzner made Kenmore 84 (117.841) that requires cams. I need to do some research to see if it does stretch stitches.

Cari-in-Oly

Mickey IIRC the Necchi cams are not metal but some have an inner hub that is metal. The later Supernovas and Julias have a plastic or nylon worm gear that is now prone to failure. Not the only delicate part these machines had.

There are two Gritzner/Kaiser made-for-White machines that were sold by Sears under the Kenmore badge.

Cari

WIChix

Only one favorite?
and
Why would I want to complete my collection?

Mickey2

Thanks for the info. I knew the cams were plastic and the cleated belts, but I read some where most Supernovas were all metal. I guess the 1950s were the decade everything turned nylon. I don't see why this was considered an advantage, especially in the best models made to be durable work horses.

Either way, I guess it's back to looking for a Necchi BU mabye with a wonder wheel for me, or another early cast iron zigzagger. I have a few in mind. For practical reasons we have to accept a few plastic gears for the double cams and stretchy stitch functions. It takes too long to track down the few remaining all metal models. I don't mind my Elna Supermatic at all, a few plastic gears, but it runs nicely after the rubber pulley was replaced with a metal one with o-rings. I'm still attaracted to the Supernova for some reason.

I think there is a few early all metal Japanese models with stretchy stitches. I have way too little experience with the good ones among them, a lot of them are reported to be all metal. I understand you are not the only one who have managed to track down a few gems. Half the job is to get to know the machine and its' advantages.

judykay

I love my Pfaff and the only thing I wish it had is speed control for when I do applique. I had it on my machine I traded in and really loved it.

Treadle&Gears

That's the spirit! Now if I could just convince my DH of that!

K

Kelsie

Please tell me what stretchy stitches are. I love my Singer 348, made in 1967 in Turquoise. I also have a Featherweight but have not sewed with her yet and I look forward to finding a treadle when our home reno is done.

Mickey2

Some sewing machines take double layer cams and the stitch patterns have a automatic reverse movement in the stitching. It allows for more advanced stitch patterns. Stretchy stitches generally mean utility patterns that give a seam with a noticeable stretch, more so than regular zigzag and mostly used for jersey knits and fine knits cuffs and similar. The paterns aren't exactly what you get on a serger or cover stitcher (which has two more needles and loopers for their equivalent of "bobbin" thread). These regular machine patterns are good and work very well though.

In addition these cams can give patterns with extra strength, fancy decorative patters, etc. Elna Supermatics had this as early as 1952, and a few other brands quickly followed up with the same feature on their models; Necchi Supernovas, Adler, Gritzner, Kayser. Husqvarna didn't have them until the early 1960s, Singer not until the 1970s. Here's a picture of Singers Flexi cams showing the stitch pattern.



This is Elna cams, the red patterns are double layer.

Cari-in-Oly

Singer started using stretch stitches in 1968. My 1956 and '57 Brother Pacesetters have some built in stretch stitches, but it was several years before Brother used them in another machine.

Cari

Manalto

Those Pacesetters make everyone jealous!

My favorite is my 1916 Singer 31-15 treadle, AKA "The Tailor's Machine." It has a 16" flywheel which gives excellent control and goes like the wind on the straightaway. No features - nothing but forward stitches; tacking means you have to turn your work around or hold back to make several stitches in one spot. Utterly reliable and forgiving. Will go through several layers of canvas or fine silk without complaint. Domestic machines feel cramped by comparison.

To complete my "collection" (accumulation is probably a better word in my case) I'd like a Pfaff 138 because it has zigzag and reverse.