The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Machine Accessories => Topic started by: Roger on December 13, 2017, 21:47:37 PM
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I found a complete if rather dusty and dry Swiss zigzagger with 5 templates 160990 (no white shell because it the prior model) for a semi reasonable price.
I’m tempted to keep it... what do guys reckon? Anyone tried one? Are they good? Are they worth the exorbitant price?
Thank you!
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I have two Swiss zigzaggers, one I payed for (and had to glue back the plastic bit on one of the setting screws), and one that came with a 201K23. I like it, it's the only zigzagg attachment I can manage to zigzag along edges with. It doubles as an even feed foot when it's set for straight stitch, better than any of the new even feed attachments available at the moment. I'm keeping mine. If I'm ever left with only one sewing machine it might be my black 201. The plastic cover is almost always gone or broken, it was badly made, but the rest is good quality.
For comparison, I have a small neat zigzagger, simplest custruction ever, and it works reasonably well. I have a larger black zigzagger, with four red knob shaped cams for different stitches. It works and it has option for yet three cam sets, (yellow, blue and white). I just can't make it behave along edges and narrow hems. Less need for fabric stabilisers with the Swiss zigzagger.
These attachments work well, just don't compare it to a good swing arm model, the do satin stitches and overcast stitches much better, but for general utility zigzagging their fine.
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It doubles as an even feed foot when it's set for straight stitch.
I hadn't thought of using a zig-zagger as an even feed.
I've got the black Singer one with the red knob cams. It came with various other attachments including a buttonholer which is what I bought the lot for. I wasn't impressed with the zig-zagging so haven't used it, but at some time I'll try using it set to straight stitch.
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The Swiss zigzagger is the only one with a real walking foot action, I guess that's what makes the difference.
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Thanks,
I hadn’t realised about the walking foot motion but I gave it a little test (stiffly) and it really does.
I have to say I thought it was one of those expensive fad items, but they genuinely do seem to be extremely good.
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To be honest, for the last year I have done all my zigzagging (and various patterns) on an old Elna Supermatic and a Bernina 730. It's easier and the freearm can be an advantage too. I have played around with the zigzagg attachments, but the only time I use them for real jobs when I need the upper feed function. +/- 50 years old most of them seem to be working fine.
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Good to know as the 500 does a really good zigzag and a crazy number of patterns... Ribbon is still my favourite tho :)
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Just given it a clean and an oil, some caught thread and fluff old grease too.
My goodness the mechanism is lovely, very smooth and precise. There’s a quality in these that I haven’t felt in others.