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.