What were/are chain stitch machines used for?
10-08-2012, 03:56 AM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 457
What were/are chain stitch machines used for?
The recent discussions of a Willcox & Gibbs and the Singer 24 got me thinking about this. I know they were used for feed sacks and the like - an easy to remove seam was an advantage there. I'm just not sure what else they were used for.
I'm thinking a Willcox & Gibbs hand crank would be a neat addition to our growing herd!
I'm thinking a Willcox & Gibbs hand crank would be a neat addition to our growing herd!
10-08-2012, 04:03 AM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Naples, FL.
Posts: 265
As far as I know they were used for everyday sewing. The chain stitch if finished off properly is just as strong as a lock stitch. You just have to be aware of that end! 
Now adays most folks use them for either mock sewing to see if the pattern worked and then snip the thread and unravel the hole thing without seam rippers to make adjustments or sew it again with a lock stitch, OR they use it for decorative free motion embroidery! They sew upside down so the pretty chain stitch is on top!
Can you tell I've looked this up? Hahaha!
Now adays most folks use them for either mock sewing to see if the pattern worked and then snip the thread and unravel the hole thing without seam rippers to make adjustments or sew it again with a lock stitch, OR they use it for decorative free motion embroidery! They sew upside down so the pretty chain stitch is on top!
Can you tell I've looked this up? Hahaha!
10-08-2012, 04:31 AM
#3
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Now why in the world would you have done that?
Love the looks of your W & G. I think one like it would look great next to our Singer 13 - particularly if I could find one from around the same era (mid-1880's) that was in nice shape. I'm looking forward to reports of how yours sews.
Love the looks of your W & G. I think one like it would look great next to our Singer 13 - particularly if I could find one from around the same era (mid-1880's) that was in nice shape. I'm looking forward to reports of how yours sews.
10-08-2012, 06:44 PM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Naples, FL.
Posts: 265
Now why in the world would you have done that?
Love the looks of your W & G. I think one like it would look great next to our Singer 13 - particularly if I could find one from around the same era (mid-1880's) that was in nice shape. I'm looking forward to reports of how yours sews.
Love the looks of your W & G. I think one like it would look great next to our Singer 13 - particularly if I could find one from around the same era (mid-1880's) that was in nice shape. I'm looking forward to reports of how yours sews.
10-09-2012, 03:56 AM
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 457
Now that I know that chainstitchers are good for general sewing I wonder why they're not more common? They certainly look mechanically simpler and that's usually a good thing. No futzing with bobbins! It does look like they'd use half again as much thread as a lockstitch machine since the underthread is basically doubled but I don't know if that's too big a deal.
I love the casting on this one for sale on ebay but I can't bring myself to pay that price, particularly since the decals are either missing or were never there:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1872-Wilcox-...-/310418999093
I love the casting on this one for sale on ebay but I can't bring myself to pay that price, particularly since the decals are either missing or were never there:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1872-Wilcox-...-/310418999093
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