Thank you Rodney, any information helps! I know far less about sewing than I should for as many machines as I have!

I'm looking forward to getting the big machine up and running. It's been fully cleaned and serviced, just waiting for the table so I can get to playing with it.

There are two types of attachments, the simpler ones do a mock hemstitch. You sew two fabrics together like a regular seam, and feed so one goes under the attachment and the other goes over, so they are sewn with a space in between.

Then you fold the seam and pull apart exposing the stitching, and tack down each side. True hemstitching pokes a hole into the fabric (pushes the threads apart) and then tacks the hole open on each side.

Fascinating collection. I have one of the large ones and always assumed it was a ruffler.

It's pretty amazing what attachments can do when affixed to a 'simple' straight-stitch machine. Thank you for posting all these pictures and explaining them.

Here us one of the mock hemstitching attachments - they all work about the same. you can also use a rug making attachment to get similar results - and some you can get a much wider opening. I have a few of those, but forgot about them . . .

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps4a1c3a94.jpg

The bottom fabric feeds underneath the attachment

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps86971973.jpg

And the top feeds above - you want to make sure you've got some "extra" on the ends to get it started.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps327b5643.jpg

Then you sew like normal.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps4627e147.jpg


Then fold the seam open and press

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psc01e53ee.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psdfc5d4b8.jpg

I held it up to the window to show the gap better.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd80372cc.jpg


And stitch down the edges - however you would like them done. I did one right on the edge, and one about 1/8" away. This picture shows it enlarged.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps42c09c7a.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps7550c210.jpg

That Singer one feed very nice - some of them may need a bit more care so the fabric layers feed evenly.

Oooh I just looked up hemstitching on Google images. That's beautiful! I thought it was about hems for pants and dresses and it's not. It's about a beautiful decorative edge for napkins and tablecloths and such. :D

Its really pretty done with variegated thread.

Thank you Macybaby! I was think pants leg hem too, not the decorative treatment like that. I know there was one sewing show (Martha something) on PBS where she would show various antique dresses with that sort of treatment.
Neat stuff.
Rodney

Martha Pullen was her name. And I thought it was for pants heming too. Duh. Thats why they have hemers and hemstitchers both.

I never cease to be amazed at your knowledge about all of your machines and your attachments! I don't think I could ever catch up with you on that score! Your input and knowledge are very beneficial to all of us! Thank you for sharing!

Jeanette