Vintage Swiss Singer Automatic Zig-Zag Attachment
SIMANCO 160991
Tested and Complete!
Bonus included!
My Supplemental Color Commentary
Copyright My Two Threads 2024
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Fits side attaching low shank vintage Singer Sewing Machine models such as 15, 27, 28, 66, 99, 101, 127, 128, 185, 201, 222 and includes the Featherweight 221.
The stitch test sample made using THIS Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment is included.
The Bakelite housing is intact and fits firmly on the zigzag attachment.
The stitch pattern securing screw is intact and isn't missing the essential tension spring which holds the tiny metal stitch pattern cam in place.
The set is complete with the Singer Zig-Zag Attachment, the cream Bakelite box, the original little feed dog cover plate, special long clamping screw, a color replica of the instructions in English, the 10 stitch design cams in their plastic slide case which were sold with the Swiss Zig-Zag unit SIMANCO 160991.
The original 10 pattern design cams and plastic slide case are in good vintage condition.
I see light scrapes in the clear lid of the slide case.
The Bakelite case is in very good condition.
The instruction manual is a good color replica on quality paper.
Many of these Bakelite housings were damaged when removing them to oil and lube the attachment. You may notice some movement in the delicate housing during handling.
Let's Play!
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Archive pictures are used to illustrate and demonstrate the features of this type of Singer zigzag attachment using my Singer Featherweight 221 and my Singer Swiss Automatic Zig-Zag Attachment SIMANCO 160990.
By the way, did you know?
There are NO mechanical differences between SIMANCO160990 and 160991. Both attachments were made the same way, are identical mechanisms, can be used as a walking foot and operate in the same manner.
When 5 new pattern design cams were developed, Singer stamped the same zig-zag attachment with a different SIMANCO number (160991) and added the light cream-colored Bakelite housing with the word Singer over the original steel housing. The 5 additional zigzag pattern cams (numbered 6-10) were sold separately to owners of the Singer Swiss Automatic Zig-Zag Attachment SIMANCO 160990.
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One of the very unique features of the Singer Swiss ZigZag attachment are the sturdy metal upper feed dogs which coincide with the movement of the sewing machine feed dogs.
The vintage Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment was never marketed as a walking foot or an even feed foot by the Singer Manufacturing Company. There are NO instructions in the manual for use as a walking foot and NO mention of it being a walking foot.
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I can hear you from here, "Okay. So, is it a walking foot or not"?
Yes. But, it is by a coincidence not intended in the original design.
The Singer Swiss Automatic ZigZag Attachment may be used in the same manner as the vintage Singer Smooth and Even Foot which was marketed by Singer to sew layers "smoothly and evenly" to match plaids and patterns.
The Singer Smooth and Even Foot also has an upper moving pair of feed dogs driven by the arm on the needle clamp. The upper feed dogs are plastic rather than metal. The housing and unit of the Singer Smooth and Even foot are primarily plastic.
Two archive pictures of the Singer Smooth and Even Foot below are used for demonstration only.
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The movement of the Singer Swiss Automatic ZigZag Attachment's metal feed dogs, driven by the attachment arm straddling the sewing machine needle clamp, coincides with the movement of the sewing machine feed dogs. This feeds the fabric layers to the stitching needle simultaneously and keeps the top and bottom layer in place.
With the exception of the two Bakelite knobs on either side of the attachment, there are no plastic parts in the Singer Swiss ZigZag attachment. It is beautifully precision engineered of cast metal.
The Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment moves the upper layer of fabric in a lift/grab/pull motion.
This movement allows you to sew the three layers together without the top layer ending up being pushed forward and over the batting and bottom layer. The three layers finish evenly.
CAUTION
Note: If you intend to use your Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment as a walking foot to sew layers, DO NOT apply the feed dog cover plate to the bed of your sewing machine!
Remember to securely disengage the zigzag mechanism of your Singer Swiss ZigZag attachment as shown here and in your instruction manual. If the zigzag feature is engaged without the feed dog cover plate in place you risk causing DAMAGE TO THE ATTACHMENT AND YOUR SEWING MACHINE!
Sew slowly.
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When using your Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment to zigzag and stitch decorative stitches using the pattern design cams apply the feed dog cover plate. Be certain the needle clears the feed dog cover plate then tighten the bed screw securely.
Your Swiss Singer Automatic ZigZag Attachment has a built in simple zigzag stitch which does not require a pattern design cam.
Cams are changed by unscrewing the side knob, attaching a pattern cam and securing it with the knob.
Adjust the width of the zigzag stitch by
moving the lever from 1 (narrow) to 3 (wide).
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Because the feed dog cover plate has disengaged the stitch length regulator on your sewing machine, adjust the stitch length on your Singer Swiss ZigZag Attachment here using the plain Bakelite knob (red arrows below).
Note: There is a tiny washer under the stitch length regulating knob. Take care that it is not lost or missing. It is essential to the stitch length operation.
Each of the 10 pattern design cams are unique.
Included in the 10 pattern design cams is a blind stitch pattern cam.
Red stand out thread illustrates this hemstitch pattern.
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To convert from zigzag stitch to straight stitch (that is, to disengage the zigzag mechanism), move the lever (lower red arrow) all the way to the left until it slides underneath the vertical slide which holds the pawl out of the ratchet wheel (upper red arrow).
Let's Play Some More.
You can embellish your sewing project with ribbon, cord, baby Rick Rack or other trims. Either zigzag over the trim or straight stitch it onto the fabric.
Quick tip!
Pack your attachment with
the driving arm (red arrow - the arm which straddles the needle clamp on the
needle bar of your sewing machine) over the blade of the feed dog cover (blue
arrow). This provides a good fit to avoid damaging the Bakelite case.
Like my comments?
They are included!
Copyright My Two Threads 2024
There you have it!
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Your vintage Singer Swiss Zig-Zag Attachment
is complete and ready to use!
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Every vintage Singer or other brand attachment with moving parts has been taken apart, inspected, oil washed to remove old gunky lubricant, wiped, lubricated with fresh lubricant (I like Sew-Retro Grease), oiled using good quality sewing machine oil and then stitch tested!
Photos and commentaries are copyrighted
My Two Threads 2024
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Always Inspected, Oiled, Tested and Complete!
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Enjoy Being Creative and Share the Joy of Sewing!
Terms of Sale
I offer new and vintage used goods which have no warranty, no guarantee and no replacements.
All used goods have had previous owners and have been used, scraped, scratched, dinged, show signs of being loved or neglected, may have areas of corrosion and are sold as is.
All used goods have been inspected, are complete if more than one part is required for the item to function and have been tested for usability.
Metal goods with movable parts have had oil washes to clean them up and been lubricated where appropriate for continued use.
Please use scrap fabrics to test attachments such as zigzaggers, rufflers, buttonholers, darners, etc. which have rapidly moving parts while in use as they may spray residual oil.
Please DO NOT TOSS OUT THE SHIPPING BOX OR PACKING MATERIAL until you have located all of the items and documents purchased.
I do not accept returns and I do not offer refunds.
Photos and commentaries are copyrighted My Two Threads 2024
Shipping & Fees
I ship using USPS Priority Mail and Ground Advantage.
All shipping is tracked.
All goods are fully insured to the value of your single purchase or total value of multiple purchases which I can fit into one shipping box or one padded envelope.
The cost of insurance and packing materials is included in the shipping costs.
I will combine shipping to reduce costs.
If multiple items are purchased, the difference between what you paid to ship each item separately and what it costs to ship combined and insured using one package will be refunded to you.
I pack securely for transit.
I ship within 2 business days after payment is received.
All goods may or may not come from a place which processes a nut or two.