For the Love of Presser Feet

A few years ago, in college, I wandered into the school bookstore looking to soothe myself after a tough exam with the purchase of a good book.  Naturally I headed straight for the sewing books and picked up one entitled The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook by Charlene Phillips (available for purchase here or at your local bookstore).  So many pictures of vintage-y, sew-y things! I just had to have it.  It's so pretty.

Well, the pretty met the practical when I recently acquired a bunch of mystery presser feet for my 1971 Singer Fashion Mate 257.  I ran right for the Handbook and discovered a whole wide world of things my sewing machine can do for me.  It's pretty incredible!  There are presser feet that can shirr for you, hem for you, or even understitch with ease.  Allow me to share my favorites with you (all of this information comes from Charlene's book and my own experience).

The more-than-a-little-intimidating Binder is used to quickly and easily attach bias strips (or purchased bias tape) to the edge of your fabric.  To use it, gently feed the end of your bias strip into the front of the Binder and the shape of the metal "scroll" will manipulate and fold the long edges.  Then, slide the edge of your fabric between the folded ends of the bias strip and sew!  Personally, I don't find myself binding much, but I can see how this could be useful.  Plus it looks really cool!

My other favorite new presser foot to use is the Ruffler.  As you might have guessed, you use this presser foot to create ruffle or gathers and sew over them at the same time.  The screw on top is used to adjust the spacing and size of your ruffles.  Just feed your fabric through and start a-rufflin'.  And, guys, it's pretty amazing just how fast this thing ruffles.  With a little experimenting, you may never have to gather the old-fashioned way again.

A couple other favorites:

The Tucker

The Adjustable Hemmer

The Braiding Foot

The Roller Foot

Do you have a favorite special presser foot?  Comment below!

Singer Fashion Mate 257

I recently acquired a new-to-me sewing machine (rounding out a string of used sewing machines given to me by family members simply because they thought I'd enjoy them.  Aren't I spoiled? :P) from my lovely grandparents.  It's a Singer Fashion Mate 257 and as far as I can tell it was manufactured in 1971. It's a heavy, sturdy beast of a thing that has absolutely no trouble zooming over the sometimes absurd number of layers I chose to sew.  I have yet to decide on a name for this beauty.  I am taking suggestions though!

It also came along with the original instruction booklet still in great condition!

Groovy flowers, man!

One of the most interesting parts of the mechanics of the Fashion Mate 257 is the stitch length screw.  It's on the right side of the front of the machine where you might normally find the reverse lever.  To change the stitch length on the Fashion Mate 257, you start by unscrewing the thumb screw until you can freely move it up and down. Select your stitch length (raise it for a shorter stitch length and lower it for long, basting stitches) and hold the thumb screw over your chosen stitch length and slowly tighten the thumb screw until it can't fall any lower.  You're still able to lift the lever up to stitch in reverse, but you retain your choice of stitch length.  Pretty cool, huh?

I got a little snap-happy when I went to photograph this beauty, so please enjoy!

How cute is this logo?  Sometimes I just stare lovingly at it (when I should be sewing!).

Hallmark designed and sold the sewing cabinet to the original owner.  I was simply amazed how the machine "disappeared" into the table and how the cabinet folded up.  Apparently I'm easy to amaze :P.

And, as an added bonus, the new-to-me machine came with a bag full of mystery presser feet.  Some I could identify, and some I could not.  Be on the lookout for a post with the research I've done about these presser feet.

Feel free to comment below with name ideas!

So long!