This is my old Kenmore mechanical. It's about 15-17 years old. I bought it before I started really sewing, for occasional mending. Later it was also used for sewing on Cub Scout patches and making some curtains and valances in our previous house. It's not quite near the bottom of the line, but it's close. I don't even know what model it is, that's how NOT into sewing I was then. The only thing I wanted in a machine back in those days was a free arm. Compared to the treadle, though, this Kenmore is feature-rich and sparkling new. LOL! Today I pulled it out again and gave it a new assignment.
You see, last week the Singer buttonholer I bought on Ebay arrived. I wanted it for the treadle just to play around with, but I soon found out I couldn't attach it to the treadle until I got a side-clamping presser bar and traded that out for the original back-clamping bar currently in place. (New side-clamping bar is on its way, so it won't be long.)
Being the impatient soul that I am, I thought about hooking it up to my D1 just so I could try it out. But I decided against that in case something went horribly wrong or if it ended up scratching the bed of the machine. That would be too costly a playtime. Then I spied the Kenmore in the corner sitting in the banker's box my son's girlfriend used to transport it when she borrowed it a few months ago. The perfect sacrificial lamb, if you will. ;-)
And here it is, hanging on for its (new) life.
It arrived in this green plastic box, all pieces intact and looking nearly new. There's also an add-on set of templates. I think there's more templates than the 9 I now own, but again, I'm not sure. Anyone?? And while you're answering, could you also tell me if there's really any difference between the Singer and Greist buttonholers?
I have no idea how old it is but the instruction book has a copyright date of 1948 if that means anything. Looking at the manual, I'm thinking that timeframe is close if not completely accurate.
Here are my first tests. They got progressively better as I adjusted the stitch width (on the buttonholer itself). The one in the lower right corner is the best, I think.
What fun this little device is. My D1 has an automatic buttonhole wheelie attachment thing (Perfectly Balanced Buttonholes or something like that) and generally makes nice buttonholes, but truthfully this little Singer attachment is easier to get absolutely identical no-fuss buttonholes from. Singer buttonholers are plentiful on Ebay and sell for well under $10. If you have a low-shank machine and dread buttonholes even a little bit - or just want to play with a new toy … Go Buy One Now. You won't be sorry. Did I mention that I love to
Here was my experimental "buttonhole station." Notice the foot pedal on the table. I was pedaling with my hand, just because I wanted everything within finger's reach. The Kenmore won't live on the cutting table and in fact isn't on it anymore. But it's on a little table I have next to the cutting table, with the buttonholer still attached, and within easy reach for when I'll pull it back onto the cutting table tomorrow to make a buttonhole in the waistband of my new capris. Oh, and the fabric with the test buttonholes above? That's the fabric for the new capris.
Not more than a year ago, I wondered what the attraction was for sewers who collect old machines. Why would I want an OLD machine that doesn't do anything? My D1 is TOL, computerized with embroidery, and just about sews for me. I still don't know the answer to my question except to say that I seem to have caught the bug. There is definitely something fun about bringing a dirty old machine back to life, and there is a sense of connection to days and sewers past.
On that note, another machine followed me home last week. Again, courtesy of Craig's List. I've forced myself to leave it in the garage until next week so I can actually sew something before I'm engrossed again in a tune-up and restoration. Here's a preview. Donna, I'm blaming you. ;-)
You crack me up with your "impatience". That's the same buttonholer that will work on your new acquisition. You'll love it too. Less exercise! I'd love to get my hands on the extra box of buttonhole templates, I have the basic ones, but as I remember there are some nice options in the little cardboard box (learned to sew on a FW).
ReplyDeleteI have that exact buttonholer that I got from my Grandmother. I always make sure I have a machine around that it will work on. Now I use my Gem Gold.
ReplyDeleteI've had one that I got in college over 30 years ago. Recently I swiped a machine from my sister, that had been in the family for years, to use the buttonholer on. While the buttonholer may work on some newer machines...it don't work properly or give the best result! The larger the buttonhole you try to make, the more you'll be able to tell whether or not it's actually working properly. As far as one working on a treadle machine I would think it would have to have zigzag capability to give a good result. Let me know because I have a treadle and would be curious to know.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have the fever! :) But you are sooooo good with your hands and the rebuilding process. Can't wait to see this new baby come back to life.
ReplyDeleteGot yourself a Featherweight, huh! LOLOLOL!
ReplyDeleteYou're hooked, that's for sure!
I believe Griest and Singer made the same buttonholer. I love them and have set up a "bh station", too.
When you need stuff for that FW, ask Glenn Williams. Especially since he's a next door neighbor, practically!
And, blame me. Go ahead. I'll be your whipping boy...! :)
I do love that style of buttonholer. I have the same version that I bought at an antique store up in Durango some years ago. So far, it's just been decor but maybe I'll need to play with it. IMO, they work best with flat bed machines but there's no need for for the machine to have zigzag capabilities.
ReplyDeleteI know about this bug...I have a 1950 Singer in my garage, I already started playing with it but it needs some more care
ReplyDeleteMy mom has the Singer Featherweight that belonged to her grandmother, and that I learned to sew on (in the 70's).
ReplyDeleteMom had (has?) a Singer buttonholer attachment for it, slightly larger, in a more oval shaped case than yours (light green), beige casing on the actual buttonholer.
I'm guessing Mom's buttonholer model was from the late 50's or early 60's but I don't have it to look at. It made beautiful buttonholes; I will not use the built-in stitch on my Babylock 1550 because it looks so terrible (I mark my buttonholes on my fabric and manually adjust the stitch width and length - technique from a Threads article from several years ago).
KMQ, the "zigzag" is built into the attachment, so it can be used on a straight-stitch only machine.
--Jean Marie
You always seem to be trying something new. I think that you are just focused and excited about your new acquisitions.
ReplyDeleteCharming! Next you'll have an adjustable buttonholer, then a Jetson, then a ... LOL! Been there! Love it!
ReplyDelete1948 is probably as close as you'll get to dating your BH'er. It will work with all short shank machines and you should only use a straight stitch with it. It clamps the fabric and moves the fabric around to make the BH.
ReplyDeleteThe pink boxed ones are for slant shanks and can't be used on short shank machines. The one in the Jetson green box is also a short shank model, circa 1960.
They all use the same templates and so do the Greist models. There are probably 15 templates, some are harder to find than others. And don't use plastic ones in this model.
Those buttonholes look way better than my sewing machine makes!
ReplyDeleteI had that same collection bug several years ago. It has subsided for now. In fact, two of mine have been sold in the last year or so. I still have two featherweights that will probably stay around forever. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, are you not reading over at the coop?
ReplyDeleteThe old buttonholers make the very best buttonholes. Have fun with your new toys!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this I just spent far to much time surfing ebay looking for a set of my own. I hadn't looked for a buttonholer for my vintage Spartan since I was under the impression that to create a buttonhole a machine had to have a zigzag feature. Thanks for the info! Hopefully in not to long I'll be making lovely little buttonholes on my little Spartan
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I could use a buttonhole attachment on my Bernina 1008? Honestly, I don't know if it's a high shank or a low shank. I don't know what kind of clamping bar my treadle has either, though the idea of using a buttonhole attachment on the treadle is very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazingly similar to the buttonholer which came with my mother's Domestic Sewing Machine and which she got as a college graduation gift in 1949. Your guess of 1948 is right on, I would say! Hers even had the shoe-looking cams to drop in, just like that one. How fun to see this post, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteOh what a good read, here with the picture up top I was starting to think you had given up on the Singer. Passing around the joy :) Followed you home :) Nice! Keep stitching.
ReplyDeleteIt never even dawned on me to go in search of a vintage buttonholer and I have 2 Singers at home. It would be much easier, plus I miss the keyhole stitch. Hmm..
ReplyDeleteThe first machine I sewed on was my grandmother's Singer, and it came with one of these buttonholers. I think that it makes a much nicer keyhole buttonhole than my Viking. Will it attach to a Viking? They are low shank aren't they?
ReplyDelete"They" said this would happen to you. Machines just start following you home. I have the Grist buttonhole maker and the templates look exactly the same. I haven't tried it out yet because like you, I didn't want to ruin my good machine and I don't have a spare.
ReplyDeleteNow you have another toy on my "to buy" list. I still have my Singer probably bottom-of-the-line machine from 1978. It works. Older can be better.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, you definitely enabled. I just bought a vintage Singer buttonholer on ebay, and if it doesn't work in my regular Singer machine (school model, several years old), then I'll use it in my 1970s Singer. Woohoo! Buttonholes, here we come!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I found you! I call myself Sewing Machine Rescue (you know, like beagle rescue, etc.) It started when I spied an old Neechi in an estate sale for $12. For some reason I just had to take it home and give it another chance. It was so heavy! To say that it DID NOT WORK is an understatement but I dug into it and it had NEVER BEEN OILED. I got it running like a top and I was hooked. Eleven machines later....still searching for the next machine that needs a little TLC. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYou are "treadle-ing" in dangerous territory now!! You will need another room once you get bitten by the vintage machine bug. I have a couple of tips/comments for you though.
First of all, it's not just the great buttonholer that will work on your other machines. I have dozens of cool attachments that work on my regular machines, but like you, I prefer to use an older machine for those attachments just for the convenience of not having to fasten/unfasten the attachment in the middle of a sewing project. My favorite vintage attachment is the ruffler. You can buy the identical attachment "new" for close to $100 depending on your brand of machine, but the vintage ones are just as good (if not better due to better machining and of better quality metal). There are also cool hemmers and guides that can do really cool stuff. I have a vintage 3/4 sized Singer machine that's mint green - I think it's the model 185-J or something like that. It's the machine I use with my vintage attachments. You will find vintage attachments at thrift stores and yard sales but the best source is often church rummage sales or the like. Most attachments use the standard holes on the machine bed and "ankles" that you will find on almost all machines of all brands. The only ones to watch out for are the slant shank attachments which of course only fit slant shank machines. To get a glimpse of the numerous attachments and instruction booklets that you can find take a look at any of the vintage machine collector groups that you can find online. Featherweight Fanatics the Yahoo Group "Vintage Singers" or "Singer" are just a sample of the vintage collectors groups you can look to for info. I learned from these folks how to clean the head without damaging the decals and other important techniques and cleaning tips.
There is a site that I came across one time that showed incredible embroidery and stitchery that was done on a treadle machine using various attachments and guides. It rivals a lot of the samples you see done with TOL electronic machines today. If I can find the site I'll pass along the addy because it's something else to see. I imagine what that must have been like for my ggmother (whose treadle machine I still have) to see the marvels that could be accomplished in a fraction of the time as it would have taken by hand. She was the first in the family to have a "sewing machine" and it was considered a marvel that all the women in the family envied and shared. When I was a little girl, she told me that everyone used to bring their sewing to her house and use the machine whenever they had some special project that they wanted done more quickly or accurately. I remember sitting under the treadle cabinet working the treadle with my hands and imagining what I could sew when I was big enough to use the machine myself, as she promised. That probably was part of what started my lifelong love of sewing and sewing machines.
You make the most beautiful clothes with the most beautiful fabrics. I just love your blog.
ReplyDeleteIf you like, you can visit me at www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Oh, lordy! When I saw those templates I had an instant flashback and was once again in my poodle skirt and saddle shoes. I never thought I'd see those again.
ReplyDeleteIf you like this buttonholer you'll like the Singer Professional even better as it is made for zigzag machines. They are also plentiful and cheap on Ebay.
ReplyDeleteI have used the one from my mother's Singer for years. The button holes are really professional looking!
ReplyDeleteYou have to watch the teeth on the underside with finer and snaggable fabric (creative cursing and learning the hard way). I use iron-on tear-away stablizer to protect and support the fabric. It is also good for marking on with no marks on your fabric.
Have fun!
I have a Singer 99K that I found in a thrift shop for a song. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd it came with one of those buttonholers, though I haven't tried it out yet. I may have to now!
My vintage Singer buttonholer arrived, and I was delighted to discover that it was actually a Singer Professional! Yippee! (Guess I didn't read the description well enough....) Can't wait to try it out.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog. i just purchased a coverstitch (brother 2034) and your tutorials are invaluable!! thanks debbie ... and somehow i stumbled upon this post and i have that EXACT machine (i used mine for ruffling, so i can leave the ruffle foot on this one and not have to change it out on my bernina) ... i just thought that was sort of funny.
ReplyDelete