My hemstitcher collection
 

I got another in the mail, and figured it would be fun to show them off.

These are "parson's". The patent date is 1884 and 1885. From what I've read, it appears Greist took over Parson's at some point - but I think Greist took over all the other attachment mfgs at some point . . .

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps31ff63d2.jpg

And being modeled - New Home

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps40f2ad33.jpg

Singer (this would also fit Free)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps648466bd.jpg

Standard

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps526e0753.jpg

Wheeler Wilson D9

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps4b84eaca.jpg

Here are some others

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psf436e0c7.jpg

Left - a universal one that is adjustable to fit several machines. There is a bracket with screw hole in it that fits into the smaller square opening to attach it to the bed

Upper left fits White, I have one like this that is bar clamp, also fitting White, Then we have the"Perfect" attachment, and below that is another "universal" type, no markings. And the third down is Boye hemstitching attachment, also universal in fit. The far right is for a Standard Rotary machine. The roller mounts on the presser bar, and the spacer to the bed of the machine. The lower spacer is a newer design.

And after I took that picture, I realized I was missing one - for the Singer. Finally remembered where it way - so here is a picture of some with the Singer in the upper left.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb63e537d.jpg

And some being modeled.

The Boye, on a Singer 201. The bar can be moved to give you four choices of width of space between fabric.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps3c313cf9.jpg

Perfect - on a White, this one says it fits all machines, but this was the only one that it would fit on easily. You need to have a foot with one longer "toe" on it.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psa9a2ce14.jpg

And the other, on a National - this one requires a long flat foot. It won't fit on a foot like the 201 has on it.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps86d76648.jpg

Here are the ones that are considered "real" hemstitchers

the Singer group - the unit is the same, but the needle plate is specific to the model.
101, 201 or 15, 66 or 99, 127 or 128 (I assume it will fit 27/28 also) and 221.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd9ba3f3e.jpg

This is for White - I have two different plates, the shorter one fits the older models, the longer fits newer ones (pre Japan made machines, that is).

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps76ed424a.jpg

And this one fits National made Rotary machines (including the 2 spool).

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps65fc6f95.jpg

Here are the three units side by side - they all have the same patent dates, though the Singer also has a model number on it.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psbddda53b.jpg

The main difference is how they attach to the machine.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps6a11d680.jpg

And of course, the Queen of my Hemstitchers. She's still waiting for her throne (table) to arrive from CA.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps154cb4f5.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb39d945b.jpg

Without you to show me I wouldn't know what those are at all. Very cool collection!
Rodney

Macybaby, you’re really pretty savvy on things when it comes to sewing machine oddities, especially attachments. I hope that you keep sharing with us. You have the information on the details. Good job!

I had a Singer 72W19 head, stand, and motor that I sold. Now, all I have are the attachment hemstitchers, and I don’t have a good record of which ones that I have. Your post makes me want to dig them out and see what I have. Until I began my experiments with a darning attachment, I didn’t give attachments much notice.

You inspire me to get with the program.

CD in Oklahoma

I recognize some of them but I wouldn't begin to know how to use them even if I got them on the machine.

I'm fascinated by the change in popularity of different attachments over time. Like the tucker, which was one of the earliest attachments, and it went out of favor in the mid 40's and after that, was no longer included in the "basic" set of attachments.

The Hemstitcher is another that was rather popular early on - and then slowly went out of favor.

I do plan on learning how to use all of the attachments, once I have a bit more elbow room.

My biggest problem is falling in love with very early attachments, when I really wanted to stick with about 1890 and later. But then I know a guy who will take any "early" attachments I can unattach myself from LOL!!

Great info!! I wouldn't even know what they do or how they do it! :) Love these little engineering works!!

I am overwhelmed with the amazing amount of information you know! I would never see all these things together and have a clue what they were and I can only guess what they do. How is it that some are only simple attachments with curves and some look like walking feet? Can you tell any more about them. I am figuring they were to sew hemlines yes? So were some folded to fit within the older attachments? And then the more complicated ones..did they do all the work for you?

The complicated ones that look like walking feet or buttonholers are blind hemstitchers. They move the fabric to produce a sort of modified zigzag stitch. I would like to see the older simpler ones in action and what kind of hem they produce.
I'm used to the hemmers that you see in more modern attachment boxes that make the rolled hems.
Rodney

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

Hi Cathy,
Thank you for sharing your photos of your hemstitchers. I'm new to Quilting Board, but I too, prefer vintage sewing machines & their incredible attachments! I only discovered them after I moved to North Carolina, in 2005, & started using Ebay for buying & selling sewing machines & their accessories, attachments, & parts, & have become a VintageSewingMachineAttachment-aholic! It horrifies me to think of the hours I have wasted, sewing ruffles with 2 rows of basting, or zig zagging over cording, & messing them up again & again, when I could have done the entire thing perfectly in just a couple of minutes, with a vintage ruffler, on the right sewing machine! LOL!

I have learned that different attachments went in & out of popularity, depending on the clothing fashions of the day, as well as the available fabrics, & some INCREDIBLE specialty attachments, like Singer's one thread embroidery attachments, & Singer's 2 thread embroidery attachments, & Singer's fagoter, apparently plunged in popularity, when the Great Depression hit. Prior to the depression, people were extremely fashion conscious, & had more extra cash available, to afford these items, along with the so called Singer "Penguin" walking foot. These ingenious inventions created complicated, sophisticated decorations, with very little effort, compared to hand sewing the same items. After the stock market crash, though, no one could afford them, so Singer stopped making them, which is why they are so rare & valuable today. Just before Christmas, Valentines, & Mother's Day, are the best times to sell these items for high prices online, but the worst time, seems to be the one or two weeks before & after school starts, or ends. Items that sell for $880 before Christmas, sell for $64 at the end of August. It is interesting to watch!

Anyway, thank you Cathy, & everyone else who shares their treasures with the rest of us, educating us on what we should be on the lookout for! :D

Hi,Cathy, and all! Yes, prices are completely foolish. it's necessary to be patient, with this sort of little chocolates ;)....
but the question I have for you is very simple. the question, is simple, the stuff is not :

the 'classic' singer hemstitcher, n 121387, DOES it work?

all people says it is terrible, and it is. I have one. Last year I could have some little holes, I don't remember how it has been possible...


now I took it another time. nothing. terrible , clogged, irregular little holes.
do you know some secret, before I become totally mad:hunf:?

before beginning mad, merry christmas to you all!

Again, Cathy, thank you so much! There is an old saying that "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" and I'm about the age now that I might qualify to be an old "something or other" We all appreciate your sharing your expertise!

Jeanette