Wednesday, December 3, 2014

CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN

Yes, indeed, it is a chain stitch adapter.  I have four of them in three different variations.  I was absolutely thrilled when I figured out how it works.   I had been basting the zipper leaders to my quilts for easy frame mounting (why does that sound vulgar?).  It isn't too hard to remove the basting but it is so much easier to remove chain stitching  WOW.

This little gold box has been a mystery to me for years.  I learned, somewhere, that it is a chain stitch adapter.  I have had no occasion to use a chain stitch until now.   Two quilts are ready for the frame.   I need a chain stitch capable machine that also winds a nice bobbin.  I cannot stress how important a well wound bobbin is for the Bailey Home Quilter.  My Kenmore 158.1760 winds the nicest bobbin.   I am sad to report that the 1760 is not chain stitch capable.

I was working on a 158.1802 and wondered if the chain stitch adapter would fit.

I removed the needle plate insert and tried one.  It fit.

 I actually removed the shuttle and the race cover to examine just how that silver gizmo fit in the hook.  There is a hole in the hook. Turns out, you don't have to remove the shuttle hook at all.  The adapter snaps right in. 

 Of course, you have to be sure to get the tab on the adapter lined up with the hole so that it snaps in and doesn't spin around.
That's it.  The machine threads the same way as for regular sewing.  The only difference is that at the end of your seam you must turn the balance wheel backwards (ACK!) to release the last stitch. HOLD THE STITCHING! as you remove the work from the machine.   There will be a loop on the bottom.  Pull the thread to the bottom to lock the stitch, other wise the stitches will come out very fast.  AMHIK.
I can't watch the stitch formation because the slide plate must be in place to secure the needle plate insert.  Lady Google, however, provided a link: http://home.howstuffworks.com/sewing-machine1.htm

The 1802 winds a fine bobbin as well.  But it is not my machine.  It is  Betsy's.  While what's hers is mine and mine is hers, the 1802 is too nice a machine to relegate as a chain stitcher/bobbin winder only. 

An 158.1814 I bought a few years ago accepts the very same chain stitch adapter.  However it will not form a chain stitch unless the SLR is set at about 10.  Set at a longer stitch length, the sucker just won't pick up the thread.  I can live with that but I am not so fond of the 1814.  It has an odd thread path and it just growls when it runs. Plus,  it winds a lousy bobbin.  OK.  It winds an adequate bobbin but not good enough for the Bailey.  AMHIK. 

Because I  have three chain stitch adapters  I looked for machines to match.  I checked out my 158.1803.  Voila, hole in the shuttle.
 
The  photos above are of the chain stitch adapter in my 158.1803.  It winds a fine bobbin; a very fine bobbin. However  it is impossible to disengage the drive shaft in BW mode without taking the top off of the machine to manually compress the release.   This I can live with.  The top of the machine pops off easily.  I will be using the machine primarily for BW anyway.  When I need it for chain stitching I can engage the drive shaft easily.   It is the perfect combination. 

14 comments:

  1. Interesting. It's like the spider on my Standard but I still don't quite have the knack for inserting it easily - and I have the scars to prove it. My instructions do say not to use a long stitch length.
    Hope you'll show some sample stitches.
    Lillian

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  2. I got a Kenmore 158.17530 in November. It came with cams and that attachment, in the same little gold box. I didn't have a clue what it was. Now I know. My son has the machine (he's trying to decided which of my Kenmore's he wants to keep), so, I'll have him see if it works. I just sent him the link to this post. Thanks.

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  3. ....so NOW I know what to do with that thing!

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  4. I think that is just the neatest engineering/machining feat! How elegant a solution. No circuit boards required.

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  5. Nice that the Kenmore has a big flat bed for feeding the long length of fabric. The chainstitch Singer 24's and W&G's have such teeny beds that are difficult for big projects. Now I'll be looking for that little hole in the hooks of my Kenmores. I've never seen one of those adapters before. Elizabeth you gave us a hint to your quiz question when you mentioned trying to use a Kenmore for chainstitching in a previous post.

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  6. I have an old Singer 600E Touch & Sew that does a fabulous chain stitch. I know some don't like the T & S's but I've never had a problem and I have 3. I also have some of the Kennies that chain but I'm ashamed to admit I've never tried to chain on them :(

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  7. Well that's a new thing to me. Very cool. I do have a coverstitch machine that chains I think and I had no idea what it would be used for. Of course this is a great reason to find another vintage with that attachment. My husband thanks you. Lol !

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  8. Well, I pulled out the chain stitch attachment I have and tried to make it work for both my 158.95 and 158.52, but neither of them has the hole in the bobbin case. Now I'm totally bummed!! I have a Singer T&S 603e that chain stitches, but I was looking forward to seeing this work on my Kenmore machines; I really love them! Thanks for the information, I learned something tonight.

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    Replies
    1. Right. Definitely need that hole in the hook. I don't know if the hooks are interchangeable but one would also need the needle plate insert. Looks like chain stitch capability is not universal.

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  9. I have wandered down the path of chain stitch searching: I own a dead T&S600E with the attachment, I now own the Kenmore attachment and a Kenmore that it won't work with, and I am kicking myself for not spending more time reading on your blog (found this page online searching, now offline selfkicking).

    I am not giving up but now I have more information, thanks to you.

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  10. After reading this post and posts in other places about the Maruzen built Kenmore 158's I had to have one. I began looking through the searspartsdirect listings for 158 series machines that had the chain stitch attachment in their accessories list. Seems most of the 158.1700 series, all of the 158.1800 series and the 158.1900 series have the chain stitch attachment although the needle plate is wider on the 1900 series. I found a 158.18033 machine in good condition which I now own and am looking forward to happily chain stitching. I'm very impressed with the quality of these machines although the super high shank attachments are becoming difficult to find. Also, was confused by this machine's straight stitch in the left position at first until I figured out that's where it's supposed to be.

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    Replies
    1. It appears that the free arm models are excluded from the chain stitch club after checking 1760, 19310, 19311

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  11. I have a Kenmore 258.18141 that I just had serviced. I didn't like the thread path for the top thread...very stupid. With that said, I still like the machine, especially sewing with knit fabrics. I also have the chain stitch attachment for it, so I find this post very helpful. I have the Singer 600E as well, with the chain stitch attachment, but that machine needs servicing, & I'm not really as huge fan of the Touch & Sew machines anyway. Thanks! :-)

    Melissa

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