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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 8/17/19 2:24 PM ET
Hey all,
Anytime I make garments, I assemble the majority on my Singer 201. However, there are a few types of feet that I'm thinking could make the experience easier:
Edge stitching/top stitching foot - I can't get a consistent size with the basic foot. An edge stitching foot would help keep the fabric a consistent width. (Sometimes instructions call for a width greater than either side of the foot - should I just say "forget it" and bring it down to the width of the foot?)
Walking foot - despite doing my best to use finger pinning/industrial techniques, sometimes the fabric goes for a bit more of a walk than I'd like. It'd be nice to have a walking foot.
Satin foot - some fabrics might slide better with a plastic surface.
The accessories I do use:
Greist buttonholer
Seam guide (screws into the machine bed)
I'm familiar with these accessories, but don't have a personal use for them:
Binder - seems like more trouble than it's worth
Rolled hem foot - Seems like more trouble than it's worth; my serger can do this task nicely
Ruffler - not a lot of ruffles on men's garments and I'm OK with that
Any thoughts on the pain points above?
Anytime I make garments, I assemble the majority on my Singer 201. However, there are a few types of feet that I'm thinking could make the experience easier:
Edge stitching/top stitching foot - I can't get a consistent size with the basic foot. An edge stitching foot would help keep the fabric a consistent width. (Sometimes instructions call for a width greater than either side of the foot - should I just say "forget it" and bring it down to the width of the foot?)
Walking foot - despite doing my best to use finger pinning/industrial techniques, sometimes the fabric goes for a bit more of a walk than I'd like. It'd be nice to have a walking foot.
Satin foot - some fabrics might slide better with a plastic surface.
The accessories I do use:
Greist buttonholer
Seam guide (screws into the machine bed)
I'm familiar with these accessories, but don't have a personal use for them:
Binder - seems like more trouble than it's worth
Rolled hem foot - Seems like more trouble than it's worth; my serger can do this task nicely
Ruffler - not a lot of ruffles on men's garments and I'm OK with that
Any thoughts on the pain points above?
Posted on: 8/17/19 2:58 PM ET
I have a 201, and the low shank walking foot Singer sells is fine. It's easy to screw on, and I have not had any problems with mine. It's not life changing or anything, but it's occasionally helpful.
Edge stitching--I am cheap and just use a quarter inch foot on mine, 'cause it's something I already had, but that foot is my best friend. I freaking LOVE that thing. An edgestitch foot would probably be pretty similar.
-- Edited on 8/17/19 at 2:59 PM --
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Edge stitching--I am cheap and just use a quarter inch foot on mine, 'cause it's something I already had, but that foot is my best friend. I freaking LOVE that thing. An edgestitch foot would probably be pretty similar.
-- Edited on 8/17/19 at 2:59 PM --
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The machines just ended up a herd.
Posted on: 8/17/19 3:12 PM ET
In reply to misterstitch
I dunno. I only ever had the basic foot and a zipper foot and a seam allowance guide. Oh, and a basic foot I ground most of the toes off on for bluff pockets.
Is your basic foot pitted or scarred up? Could it do with a bit of wax? Or some of the self-stick teflon? Do you readjust your foot pressure?
The low shank Singer walking foot should fit your 201.
Have you thumbed through the accessories and methods here? http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-sewing-skills-reference-book.pdf
Is your basic foot pitted or scarred up? Could it do with a bit of wax? Or some of the self-stick teflon? Do you readjust your foot pressure?
The low shank Singer walking foot should fit your 201.
Have you thumbed through the accessories and methods here? http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-sewing-skills-reference-book.pdf
Posted on: 8/17/19 3:52 PM ET
or a buffer wheel on a dremel type tool?
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You can lead people to the truth, but can't make them think.
Posted on: 8/17/19 4:26 PM ET
I've got practically every vintage foot ever made by Singer, including all those you mention. However, I've never used a satin stitch foot on a straight stitch machine. I'm not sure how that would be useful since it is made for a zigzag machine.
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RunningStitches-mkb.blogspot.com
Posted on: 8/17/19 4:45 PM ET
In reply to misterstitch
Quote: misterstitch
Edge stitching/top stitching foot - I can't get a consistent size with the basic foot. An edge stitching foot would help keep the fabric a consistent width. (Sometimes instructions call for a width greater than either side of the foot - should I just say "forget it" and bring it down to the width of the foot?)
Edge stitching/top stitching foot - I can't get a consistent size with the basic foot. An edge stitching foot would help keep the fabric a consistent width. (Sometimes instructions call for a width greater than either side of the foot - should I just say "forget it" and bring it down to the width of the foot?)
It's possible to topstitch with a regular foot, but it requires practice and a great deal of attention. I have used the industrial machine equivalent of a topstitching foot, which is called a "compensating foot." It comes in a range of sizes and is amazing. The different sizes are needed because an industrial machine's needle position cannot be moved as can a home machine's.
An industrial machine regular presser foot is a scant 1/4" and many instructions will tell the operator to use the presser foot as a guide. If your foot can't be used as a guide, you can take chalk and dot or draw the line for the stitching. It's much more time-consuming, but you could also take basting thread -- the kind that is designed for basting and meant to be removed from under machine stitching -- hand sew the top stitching, machine stitch over it and then carefully remove the basting.
Posted on: 8/17/19 5:01 PM ET
Wow, thanks all for the advice.
The foot is in excellent condition, which is amazing since the machine is at least 70 years old. It's possible (likely?) that one of the previous owners replaced the foot at some point.
kayl, from that book it looks like there is an edge stitching foot that could work well.
pointpatou, the compensating foot actually looks similar in function to the 201's edge stitching foot (which blocks the fabric from shifting further to the right on the bed).
A zipper foot would be really nice to have. Presently I switch to my Kenmore for zippers.
Thank you all for the input!
The foot is in excellent condition, which is amazing since the machine is at least 70 years old. It's possible (likely?) that one of the previous owners replaced the foot at some point.
kayl, from that book it looks like there is an edge stitching foot that could work well.
pointpatou, the compensating foot actually looks similar in function to the 201's edge stitching foot (which blocks the fabric from shifting further to the right on the bed).
A zipper foot would be really nice to have. Presently I switch to my Kenmore for zippers.
Thank you all for the input!
Posted on: 8/17/19 5:11 PM ET
In reply to misterstitch
The basic low shank zipper feet like:
or the modern equivalents (e.g.:https://www.goldstartool.com/zipper-cording-foot-55510--adjustable-low-shank.htm ) should work fine.
or the modern equivalents (e.g.:https://www.goldstartool.com/zipper-cording-foot-55510--adjustable-low-shank.htm ) should work fine.
Posted on: 8/17/19 5:14 PM ET
The foot I really wanted when I was making shirts on the 301 was a felling foot, but I couldn't find one for slant shanks. My first real run-in with machine lust.
Posted on: 8/17/19 11:07 PM ET
In reply to kayl
Hey, good point that any low shank zipper foot should work fine!
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