Need a Zig Zag foot to make cloth wipes - ??

[YinYang]

I'm trying to sew some wipes and think I need a zig zag foot.

I have a Singer Touch-tronic 2000 from about 1975ish. Usually I use a straight stitch foot. I also have an overedge foot but this foot generally gets the fabric bunched up on it.

I wanted to use the zig-zag stitch that I have on my machine for the edges of the wipes (in place of a serger, which I don't have!). I can't use the straight stitch foot and (as mentioned above) it seems that the overedge causes the fabric to get bunched.

Here are the questions:
Do I just use the overedge and go really slowly?
If I need to buy a zig zag foot, does anyone know how to do this for an old machine? Googling it and ebay-searching it isn't working for me, so any pointers would be helpful.
Should I use some other foot I have? I have an even feed foot, a zipper foot, a special purpose foot, darning/embroidery foot, chain stich fittings (whatever that means!), and a blindstitch hem guide. (Ok, I just compared the accessories pics in the manual against what is in the case!)
Can you recommend a good sewing forum online (if one exists)?

I'm a basic sewer (straight hems I can do!)... I'm just cutting receiving blankets into 8x8 squares. I was just going to straight stitch them but it seems that everyone recommends zig zag so they don't fray (I guess the flannel might fray beyond a straight stitch - ??)

Sorry if these are dense but believe it or not, Googling isn't cutting it for me so I bashfully ask for your help!

TIA!

[Mel L]

You might try here.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintag...guid=104410315

They have given me a ton of great info for my 1962 machine. I am not sure if a 1975 counts as vintage, but it probably does. Someone threre should be able to point you in the right direction.

[love2bmom]

The goal is just to keep the fabric from fraying too much (which flannel will do). I would just experiment with you presser feet. Try contacting a local sewing shop - they are often a really good source of information.
If you make 2 layer wipes, you can turn & topstitch them. Just sew them inside out with 1/4" seam allowance, leave an opening to turn. Clip your corners, turn right side out and topstitch (just plain straight stitching) all the way around the wipe (including to close your turning opening).
Good luck!

[Kari_mom]

Do you know what kind of presser feet your machine takes? If you figure that out, you might (probably) will be able to find a generic zig-zag foot. I would want to have one for sewing, I zig-zag for so many projects.

This site has pictures of the different kind of feet, scroll down to the bottom of the page: Sewing Machine feet
They also sell replacement feet. I haven't any experience with this vendor, I just found them by googling. I would check Hancock's and Joann's first for replacement feet, they do both carry a few generic machine parts.

[elijahsmama1]

So I asked pretty much the same questions on DS today and I got a few mamas replying with the same answer as I quoted below, I think thats what I'm going to try to do. Good luck

Originally Posted by love2bmom

The goal is just to keep the fabric from fraying too much (which flannel will do). I would just experiment with you presser feet. Try contacting a local sewing shop - they are often a really good source of information.
If you make 2 layer wipes, you can turn & topstitch them. Just sew them inside out with 1/4" seam allowance, leave an opening to turn. Clip your corners, turn right side out and topstitch (just plain straight stitching) all the way around the wipe (including to close your turning opening).
Good luck!

[YinYang]

THANKS everyone! OK, I joined the Yahoo group and then I started making them per love2bmom's advice. The most time is taken up just cutting them but I finished 2 late last night to see how it goes.
I don't quite get clipping the corners -- is that supposed to make the right side corners be more pointy? I forgot with the first and did it with the second and there is no real difference. Anyhow, I'm just doing this for function though I'm determined to be a good seamstress one of these days!

Thanks for all of your advice and pointers!!!!!

Good luck to you too, elijahsmama1!

I'm so excited to be repurposing those 5000 receiving blankets... feels good!

[love2bmom]

Clipping corners is just "good technique". I'm all about function though. If you find it doesn't matter - then don't worry about it!

[CJ 5]

If it were me I would just slap two pieces together right side in and sew it like a pillowcase then turn right side out. If your fabric isn't too thick you could just double them up.