Vintage Machine with Blanket Stitch?
 

I love machine applique and my favorite stitch is the blanket stitch. Is there a vintage machine that does the blanket stitch? I have a Singer 328, but none of the cams do a blanket stitch. I have been looking at plastic wonders just to get the blanket stitch, but would much rather have a vintage that does the same thing... Any suggestions?

The problem with the vintage machines that do the buttonhole stitch using cams, is that they're not very adjustable. I use my new machines for doing buttonhole applique, because the vintage ones just can't get the exact depth of stitch and as close together as I'd like. This is one of the only functions that I prefer a new machine over a vintage one for. I make sure all my applique can withstand many years of washing and abuse, and I've never liked the product of the cam/buttonhole stitching in any of my cam machines.

I don't know if my suggestion is vintage enough but my 1968 Bernina Minimatic 707 has a blanket stitch.

Clare

None of mine do. I use my Janome 10001 when I want to do a blanket stitch.

Thanks for all the comments! Clare, I will start looking for a Bernina Minimatic 707. I am guessing they may be hard to find... but the hunt is fun!
Thanks, all!
Linda

The Husqvarna Viking 6000 series has cams for the blanket stitch and my Pfaff 1473 does the pretiest I know of. These are 80's machines so not truly Vintage but the Vikings are all mechanical.

Linda,

I am sure other Bernina models from the 1960's will also have blanket stitch so you won't be limited to the 707.

Happy hunting!

Clare

I have a singer Futura Touch-Tronic 2001 memory machine.I got it early 1980's It has built in blanket stiches and many others(no cams) decorative stitches.It is also a slant needle machine.I love it.I have never had any trouble with it.Havent even changed the light bulb.So easy to change the stiches:thumbup: Will also chain stitch,and twin needle stitch

Linda,

My apologies, I have just got my Bernina out to test the blanket stitch and it turns out that it is not a blanket stitch after all. The little drawing on the stitch selector looks like blanket stitch but upon checking the manual I've found out it is actually a stretch stitch.

I am sorry for misleading you.

Clare

I am wondering about a pic to see this Minimatic 707 machine?????

Google it. Lots of photos of Berninas on the net.

1973 Elna SU has one, so does the Montgomery Wards from the 70s. I haven't used the MW for that, but the Elna's is adjustable for length and width.

look at the Kenmore 158-1030 and 1040. That is my 'go-to' machine to take to conferences where I need a blanket stitch in my classes. It is lightweight, cute, has like 4 stitches, and is basic and easily maintained. It has a built in accessory tray, and is often called the 'lunchbox' machine- why, I have no idea.

I have the SU and it's not adjustable enough for me.

I hear everyone complain about the plastic machines, well I have several of them and love them all. I do have a lot of ventage and antique machines as well but still love the plastic ones too. I have cheap ones and expensive ones. I do machine embroidery as well as crafting. I am now starting to quilt. I guess they aren't for everyone but there are good ones out there too. Just had to put my two cents worth in.

I agree. I play around on my vintage machines, but when I want to make something really nice I use a modern machine. AFAIK, there is nothing like a new Janome or Bernina. To each their own!!

I agree to a point. There are just some stitches and ability to adjust the stitch, that modern machines are the best fit. And there are features of modern machines that just lend themselves to a better outcome. The automatic needle down is just one.... Many of my projects are completed on my modern machines as they give the best results. But, given the chance to pick between a plastic wonder from WallyWorld or a vintage machine, I'd go vintage! I love my modern Bernina and Janome and love my vintage machines. But, I think there are just some plastic machines that are junk!!

Please post a picture of a "blanket stitch" for this novice.

Thank you.

Joe

Blanket Stitch
 

An example done with my Elna 7300 built in stitch.

What I am trying to picture in my mind is what the stitch looks like on the edge.

Perhaps some dark thread on a light back ground. We have several machines that make a similar looking stitch, but I can't tell if it's the same. Elaine has asked me about it too, and all I can do is shrug my shoulders and say, I don't know.

Joe

Stitch
 

I'm not sure if you can see the side stitches, maybe if you enlarge this pic. The stitch is made with two regular stitches, then the third stitch goes to the left and back. So - two forward, one left then back, two forward, one left then back, etc.

Joe, tell Elaine it may be called a blind hem stitch.

Here's a close up... http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=UiIiSP5gUGm

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=UiIiSP5gUGm

A blind hem stitch makes more of a "V" whereas a blanket stitch is just a straight line or stitch over onto the fabric. Some folks use the blanket stitch and invisible thread or matching thread to just catch the fabric and make it look more like hand applique. Some use a zig zag or even other decorative stitches for applique. Lots of choices:>

Thanks for the links and pics. I think I understand now. So far the machines I've checked have the blind hem stitch. I haven't found one with a blanket stitch yet.

Joe

I totatly agree with you Candace. I have good plastic machines. I won't buy a cheap one. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I love the old vintage machines too, like to play around on them. I also make something every now in them on one of them. But why would I want to use an old vintage machine when I have all the bells and whistles on my modern machines that makes my sewing a lot easier and faster. Just punch the buttons and you are off to the races, lol...have a great day and to each their own. I love all sewing machines!!! :)

Please start a new thread with all your quilts that you have made with those wonderful machines with all the bells and whistles that makes your sewing life easier and faster. I would love to see them all, quilts and machines.

Lovely, I own a Necchi Supernova that does that stitch that you are looking for. I haven't used it since all the other decorative stitches have amused me. :) I use them in my quilting.

I post photos in the picture section of the quilts I make.

Candace, I have looked at your quilts. Your work is beautiful!

Thanks, Vintagemotif! I will add that to my list of vintage machines to consider. I was beginning to think my original question had been lost in this thread... thanks for getting it back on track!

Thanks:> I do a lot of work on my vintage machines. But any applique or specialty work is usually done on my new machines. The ability to customize length, width and get the stitches exactly how I want is sometimes needed for different projects.

Candace,
This can be done with numerous vintage machine that do decorative stitching, adjusting length and width of stitches. I'm able to do this with my Necchi Supernova as well as some of my vintage Singers. My favorite Singer for decorative stitching right now is the Singer 224 in treadle that uses flat cams.

So, I'm curious as to what you mean by customizing on the newer models vs the older. My daughter owns a Janome Threadbanger that I had used a couple of years back, pre-vintage sewing machine years. I used that machine for decorative stitching. The Necchi and Singers have similar capabilities as the Janome. So because I have knowledge of this machine, I don't follow what you are trying to state.

Is it like owning Bernina BSR for FMQ vs just FMQ on any machine? This is only analogy I can think of. Thanks! :)

Kind of. For example, using the Elna SU or any other vintage machine for the blanket stitch (for me) is very frustrating after coming from a modern machine. There are basically only so many adjustments you can do with a vintage machine because the machines are limited by stitch width and length(usually 4 or 5mm) and then there's no way to get that same, exact stitch without fiddling and doing samples(unless you leave the machine as is) and I jump between projects. And, for me, to get a perfect result doing applique with a zigzag or blanket stitch, automatic needle down is very important.

For example, my modern Bernina has 11 needle positions, 9mm wide stitching and 6 mm long max. stitches and the stitches can be customized by a tenth of a mm. and it's easy to go back to the exact stitch I was working on, because I just write down the setting. Most modern machines have similar capabilities.

If someone is just looking for a simple blanket stitch and aren't too fussy with what they need or want, a vintage machine is ok. I need to customize my stitching more than what's available on vintage machines. I just finished a project that has intense applique, both blanket stitch and other stitching, on it and it had to be done with my Bernina. Basically, it's about end result, the ability to customize the stitch, needle down and returning to that exact width and length with ease.

Candace, Thanks! Now I understand. I'm the person that is just happy with the what my vintage machines produce, and I love to tinker with the adjustment settings for the decorative stitches. My needle down is treadling the machine slowly until the needle is in the down position, either by foot or using the handwheel.

I understand fully what you are stating and how to replicate the stitch can be difficult with the vintage machines to those seeking an exact. :)

Oh, your latest project sounds so lovely! Please post a photo of this finished project. I would love to see it!!!