How do I zigzag on an old 1950's Singer?

[Saundra]

I have my dh's grandmother's Singer. It's a great machine that has served me well over the last few years but it does have some limitations. It doesn't zigzag or buttonhole. It came with several attachments that I've never taken the time to learn how to use: foot hemmer, adjustable hemmer, multi-slotted binder, edge-stitcher, gathering foot, and ruffler. Are there zigzag and buttonhole attachments for such an old machine? Is there some other way to accomplish zigzags and buttonholes without having to buy a new machine?

[Meiri]

What I would suggest is you see if there's a Singer dealer or shop nearby where you might be able to buy an instruction book for that machine.

Mom has one that may be that old, but it zig-zags without needing any attachments. To buttonhole, she would have to attach the buttonholer. I think the hemmer foot folds the material as it passes through it, so you can hem something in one pass.

[LuvMy2Kidz]

You can't do a zig zag and you have to do button holes manually b/c all the old singers do is a straight stitch.

[rubelin]

What model do you have?? They did make zigzag and button hole attachments for many of the older straight stitch machines, but they didn't work so great. They basially moved the fabric back and forth while the needle stayed in the same place.

A great place for more info is the vintageSingers group on Yahoo, they are a wealth of information (and the machines of the 50's are the most popular amongst many of them )

[Saundra]

Thanks so much for the info and the link. The model number on the instruction manual says 15-91, reversible feed, lock stitch, for family use.

[LuvMy2Kidz]

hmmm...then I dunno.....I have an old Singer featherweight that I know next to nothing about :LOL

[mmskids]

I think you need another attachment. According to this site, it's the same as my featherweight.
manual

click manual and find the 15 class and then scroll to the bottom click attachments and then scroll to the bottom, click on auto zig-zag

Part No. 160985 is for use on Singer Sewing Machines of classes 15, 201, 221 and 1200.

[mmskids]

Oh and yes if the zigzag works, they have a buttonholer too. And don't replace it, I love my featherweight better than my Bernina for straight sewing. I only drag out the bernina when I absolutely have to..