Zigzaggers and Blind Hemmer Attachments for straight stitch Sewing machines
https://youtu.be/hgHQW38MWYE
If you love vintage straight stitch sewing machines, but want to sew decorative zigzag stitches with them, too, there are several vintage zigzag attachments, which grip the fabric, with a special presser foot, and move the fabric side to side, creating zigzag stitches. It is recommended to loosen the upper tension on the thread, so that the stitches look satin like on top, and can look almost straight on the back.
Singer made their own low shank zigzagger attachments, which vary from buttonholers (which can also do satin stitch embroidery, especially block lettering style monograms, to blind hemmers, and plain little zigzaggers, as well as the more sophisticated zigzagger with multiple sets of cams you could purchase, in order to sew zigzag stitches with any Singer straight stitch low shank sewing machine model, or any other low shank sewing machine with the same needle and shank configuration.
There is a low shank Singer zigzagger 161157, 161102, 160985 and a slant shank zigzagger 161103. Apparently, there are a couple more part numbers used, as well, but Singer made several styles of zigzaggers, some use cams, some do not. The shank type, is the only difference between the two, so pay close attention to that. They have different part numbers.
Singer made many stitch cams to go with their Singer low shank and slant shank zigzaggers. I do not have all of the cams, but this is a pretty good selection. You will notice that 3 of them are the same scallop stitch, but there are at least 4 more stitch designs than I have here, I don't have any of the yellow cams, and I only have 3 each of the blue and white cams. Those 3 colors of cams are the most rare, and valuable, especially as sold for Singer Featherweight 221 and 222k sewing machines. Some sets have cam numbers molded into the top, others only have the part number molded in the underside
Singer low shank buttonholer, with extra buttonhole cams in a separate cloth pouch. The buttonholer can sew zigzag satin stitches, as well as buttonholes, but it takes a lot more work from the machine operator
To VSM collectors, and fans, these attachments and Singer Fashion Aids are considered "eye candy", as well as a real TREAT to have, and use, with these wonderful all metal sewing machines! Griest made attachments for nearly all sewing machine manufacturers, eventually, even for Singer. Simanco is the Singer brand attachment manufacturing company brand name.
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Singer zigzagger with 4 cams, there are 5 different sets of extra cams, though one set is the same as the ones that came with the zigzaggers originally. The blue, yellow, and white painted cams, are the most valuable, rare sets of cams for this Singer zigzagger. Both the slant shank zigzagger and the low shank zigzagger take the same cams.Notice the stitch sample in this box, I had never seen the original Singer factory stitch sample, until I bought the Singer 301A this came with.
Griest low shank zigzagger with extra cams, to sew extra stitch designs, including a blind hem. This ingenious little blue and clear plastic case, hold the zigzagger, have a slot at the back for the presser foot edge stitcher attachment (it slides sideways, behind the back of the zigzagger, and the slot for the cams is on the left side, in this photo)
Griest zigzagger with cams, fits low shank machines, notice the flat edge stitcher for the zigzagger, is hidden in this plastic case, flat against the back of the zigzagger, and the cams are in their own little slot on the side. This has 5 cams, not including the one installed on the attachment.
Singer and Griest are the most common brands, in high shank, low shank, and Singer slant shank versions. You must match the type of zigzagger, to your sewing machine's shank type. Here are links to some of my favorite blogs and tutorials for these zigzaggers.
Griest made one of the most luxurious versions called a DECORATOR-
Top clamping version of Griest DECORATOR in the original case it is availAable in gold low shank version, as well as a high shank version (not sure of color)
