Charlene Phillips

You have now purchased your used sewing machine, brought it home, unpacked it, and are ready to sew. There might be some strange and complex looking, sewing attachments hiding in the bottom of the sewing case or one of the cabinet drawers. Your next step is to learn what each one can do for you as each one works in a special way. Questions – questions – questions jump through your mind. What do you use the cording foot for? How do you even attach the ruffler? Are you sure that plate goes on first? Why doesn’t mine look like yours?

Learning and using your attachments will add that personal touch to your sewing projects. You might remember when your mother or grandmother sewed her family’s clothes on a treadle sewing machine, quietly sitting in the family room with the household bustle all around. As the years passed and fashions changed, sewing machine attachments were developed at a very alarmingly fast rate. The average housewife was ready to simplify her life and let the sewing tools speed her sewing process.

As the years passed, the continued invention of new sewing machine attachments, methods quickly changed. Where once she carefully and lovingly hand sewed tucks on the front of a child’s blouse, she could now attach a Tucker and complete the task more quickly. Making rows and rows of ruffles was now a breeze using the Ruffler. During the years when money was tight, a darning attachment mended clothes; when money was more plentiful an embroidery attachment created treasures for the home.

Earlier sewing machines were designed for straight stitch only. Sewing attachments were designed to replicate hand stitching, making the task of sewing more enjoyable. You will learn to use your sewing attachments to create tucks, bound buttonholes, add lace, or even create your own lace. What better compliment than to hear, “Wow! That is gorgeous! You made that?”

Some of the attachments are specific to a sewing machine company, some were produced by many. You may have some of them or all. You might see one that piques your interest and look to find it. Regardless of your sewing machine brand, the attachments and special feet may attach to your machine differently; they all produce the same result and will add that personal touch to your sewing. You might be sewing on a family treadle or a more electrified vintage sewing machine, but regardless, you will enjoy learning how to use each and every sewing machine attachment. Just given the fundamentals, and you will soar!

You will discover the joy of using your attachments and will quickly master each one providing endless hours of enjoyment and satisfaction. Just relax and have fun! The idea is to learn how to use the attachments so they work for you, then you can just let the creativity begin!