SINGER Single Thread Embroidery Attachment #26538

April 1930’s Featherweight Shoppe
featuring the Singer Featherweight 221 & 222K
http://www.April1930s.com
P.O. Box 994
Kamiah, Idaho 83536
(208) 880-8887
SINGER Single Thread Embroidery Attachment #26538
Made by the Singer Manufacturing Company beginning in 1930 and continuing up
through the 1950’s, this is yet another very scarce attachment to find today.
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In fact, in the later years of production it was also called a Style-O-Matic:
However, do not confuse the name “Style-O-Matic” with the actual Style-O-Matic
Attachment which was from the 1930’s as well:
Singer Style-O-Matic #121095
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You will not find the part number 26538 anywhere on the attachment; however it will
be stamped on the box. (The numbers you will find on the attachment are actually just the part
numbers that are indicative to each specific part comprising the attachment.)
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The Single Thread Embroidery Attachment can be used to add a special monogram to
a quilt block, trace a stamped pattern for a pillow or tea towel or embellish a dress
hem.
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As you can see from the photograph below, I have had many, many rare attachments
over the years but the Single Thread Embroidery Attachment is by far one of my
favorites.
It is one of the only rare attachments that I have kept for my own personal use. The
video demonstration on our website features the Singer Featherweight 221. You can
still use the Single Thread Embroidery attachment on your 222K model
Featherweight, however, it takes just a tiny bit more maneuvering to get it into
position securely.
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The area around the presser bar lever is just slightly wider on a 222 than a 221. The
222 is only 1/16 of an inch winder – just enough to notice that it takes some patience
when trying to apply it to your machine.
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When starting out, make sure you apply the attachment before putting the needle in
place, otherwise the needle will just get in the way.
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The L-shaped spool wire fits on top of the machine in one of the oiling holes and
holds the spool of thread in place as the thread feeds down and into the attachment.
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If you have not heard of Sulky 12wt thread it is the best thread that I have found to
use in these vintage Singer Embroidery Attachments, including the Two-Thread
Attachment. It has a nice weight that is similar to the original Singer store samples
and is available in a wide array of colors.
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Be creative with your top and bobbin threads, too!
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There is something to consider when searching for these attachments at yard sales,
thrift stores or antique shops. There is a U-shaped spring at the back of the
attachment that helps control the tension on the thread as it passes by the spring with
each stitch. If this spring is broken or missing then you can no longer control the
tension on the thread making it more difficult to create a consistent loop and stitch.
There is not a replacement part for this U-spring so it is definitely something to be
conscientious of.
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There is a small thing you can do to help preserve the life of your special attachment
if yours still has the U-Spring intact. Do you see the fork arm in the ‘down’ position
as indicated by the red arrow in the photo above? See how the pressure on the back
of the arm is released from the u-shaped spring when the fork-arm is raised? Storing
your embroidery attachment with the fork-arm in the ‘up’ position will take the
tension off the crucial U-Spring and preserve the life of your Single Thread
Embroidery Attachment.
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As you watch this video take special note of how the attachment is creating each loop
and stitch – if you have the rare occasion to own or sample one of these attachments,
make sure it is oiled and work slowly, especially around curves. Occasionally for
tighter curves, you will need to stop sewing with the needle in the down position for
each stitch, lift the presser foot, barely move the fabric, make another stitch and
repeat so you can work around the sharp turn.
Old-fashioned Singer engineering is brilliant, don’t you think!?
Remember, this was all accomplished on my Singer Featherweight 221!
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail or give us a call anytime.
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