SINGER 99 TUTORIAL | BACKSTITCH & ZIGZAG WITH VINTAGE & ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE

[@sewterie]

Loved watching this and learning more about what my many vintage no reverse machines can do. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome, happy to help. Thanks as well for leaving me a lovely comment.

[@r.duroucher225]

Another brilliant video! No one else seems to know these techniques. Thank you for sharing them.

[@sewwithmrsg]

R. Duroucher thank you for a lovely comment. Please share the video if you can. Thanks again!

[@ElleCoyote]

I love my Singer 66, and now I know how to backstitch and do zigzag! Thank you!

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hi Ellen, you’re most welcome! I’m happy that my video helped you ☺️

[@robburnside6636]

This was excellent. Thank you so much!

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@chrisdomagalski2104]

Thank you!! I remember watching my aunts see on these machines but couldn’t remember how they did certain stitches. I have a 66 and was only straight stitching forward. This is awesome!

[@sewwithmrsg]

Thank you ☺️ I also have a video on a singer 66.

[@GUCR44]

Hey thank you for the wonderful video.. Have a great day today. Peace Rolfie

[@sewwithmrsg]

thank you!

[@Sibes3]

Thank you so much for this video! I've had my Singer Treadle for 15 years and did not know how to backstitch this way or do the zigzag stitch. Now I do!

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hi Sylvie, you’re welcome! I’m happy that my video helps you. I made these videos to be found by those needing them ❤️ Thanks as well for leaving a nice comment!

[@susanbussler5613]

Wow!,, Thank-you . I never knew one could backstitch this way!! Game changer for sure.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome. It is, indeed ☺️

[@green122s]

So useful! I never knew that you could do this with a vintage sewing machine.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Thank you 😊

[@melindam1974]

Thank you so much for this demonstration.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hi Melinda, you’re welcome ☺️ and thanks for leaving a comment.

[@barcusful]

Thank you for making the video. Very helpful.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome, I’m happy it helped you ❤️

[@944gemma]

These videos are priceless.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Thank you! 😊

[@raquelcurnow2609]

Thank you!! This is so helpful. I would LOVE to get an antique singer because they’re just so beautiful but I was worried I wouldn’t be able to make the things I want because it’s only a straight stitch! Now I’m excited to get one 🤩

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@raquelcurnow2609 you're welcome and enjoy your antique Singer 😊

[@dwonga]

So amazing. Really appreciated. Thanks for sharing!

[@sewwithmrsg]

You're welcome and thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment 😊

[@stellaunger8568]

Very interesting zig-zag - thanks

[@sewwithmrsg]

You're welcome :)

[@Noniinthebush]

Got to love the drop in bobbins! You can free motion by dropping the feed dogs or using a plate to cover the feed dogs 😉

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@Noniinthebush I haven't found the way to drop feed dogs on this machine, and I don't have a cover for the feed dogs, either 😊

[@esperansaloughran693]

Getting used to your wonderful videos better do some more, thank you so much.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Thank you Esperanza ☺️

[@wanda04g]

Thank you for sharing

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hi Wanda, you’re welcome. Thank you for watching ☺️

[@laverneh2030]

This is great but there are beautiful zigzag and blind stitch attachments. I love the 99 much better than the featherweight. Actually there are more attachments for these types than newer machines and THEY ALWAYS WORK.

[@onnoleewierson1018]

Thank you so much! I've been sewing on a 1923 99 and had kind of figured out the zigzag, but for backstitching I was still leaving the needle down, rotating the whole garment, repeating as many times as needed. This should be much faster!!

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hi Onnolee, you’re welcome. I’m happy that my video helped you ☺️. I have other videos on old sewing machines, hope you watch them, too. For example, I have videos on how to backstitch with hand crank sewing machines, and also how to sew dart without leaving thread tails. Thank you for watching and for leaving me a comment! ❤️

[@jeanninebooth6415]

Can't imagine the time to do that type of zig zag on a garmet. Cool to know it is possible!!!! Thank you

[@sewwithmrsg]

It was actually faster when I was doing it in the old days haha, I haven’t done it since until this video so it’s so slow. I thought I’d show this in case someone didn’t have access to modern machines or overlocker. French seam is an option though but it’s good to know this can be done 😊

[@BJFilbin]

Beautiful ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching ☺️

[@dirkchurlish4074]

is the 'g' for genius?! thank you, missus!

[@sewwithmrsg]

haha, thank you! 😄

[@dirkchurlish4074]

@@sewwithmrsg my thread keeps breaking when i zig zag on my singer 99. just trying to darn some wool socks. am i lifting the foot too high or something?

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@dirkchurlish4074 I only lift the presser foot just enough so it allows the fabric to be moved forward. It allows to 'free motion' when we lift the presser foot a bit as the feed dog goes lower. I recommend to practice darning with cotton fabric first. You can also lower your upper thread tension, pretty much like when doing free motion embroidery. Please let me know if these help.

[@sewwithmrsg]

I forgot to mention to use a small embroidery hoop to keep your darning area taut, especially when darning socks. If still doesn’t work, use a water soluble stabiliser on top of the area to be darned. Not everyone have water soluble embroidery stabiliser and small hoop lying around in their house though, so I hope you can get it done just with a little practice and by lowering upper thread tension a bit.

[@dirkchurlish4074]

@@sewwithmrsg hmm, thank you!

[@barbaracoleman9215]

Thank you! I have the exact machine (manufactured in Clydebank, Scotland )

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome! It’s a cute machine with big muscles 💪☺️

[@ryndl]

Very useful! Thank you!

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@jasnadubravcic4772]

svatila sam i zahvaljujem na objašnjenju.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You are welcome (nema na čemu)

[@automotivedyi1984]

Thank you

[@sewwithmrsg]

You're welcome!

[@sharonoddlyenough]

Thank you! With this tutorial and another one from Andytube, I made my first project on my 99, a bag to hold my foot pedal and cord to prevent damage to my nachine while it's all stored in its wooden case. Btw, my machine is nearly identical to yours, except without 'manufactured in Great Britain' on top.

[@anncrosby2094]

Thank you so much for this very helpful video! I’ve always wondered if it was possible to do reverse and zig zag on an antique sewing machine and you’ve shown me how…can’t wait to practice now! Thank you…Best wishes from Ann in Australia 🇦🇺

[@sewwithmrsg]

Hello Ann! My pleasure, I’m very happy that this video helps you and hopefully, the new generation of old sewing machines users. I learned those 2 techniques from my two neighbours who often come to our house to use my mom’s (two) singer 15 treadle sewing machines. They worked in a Tailor shop then. Although our singer 15 has the reverse function, they still used this technique - I think because our right hand is often close to the presser foot lifter during sewing and so using this technique will save them a bit of time. I doubt there were portable overlockers/sergers 50 years ago so this backstitch technique is the same technique we use to overlock, back then. Btw, I was 15 when I learned to sew from watching my neighbours sew, and I could zigzag very fast then, hence I said practice will produce speed ☺️ Thank you for taking the time to leave me a lovely comment, and good morning from Melbourne - ❤️ Sal xx P.S. I also have other videos about vintage/antique sewing machines. You might be interested to see how to do backstitch on a hand-crank sewing machine. I did a video on that for a viewer’s request. I have an upcoming video about using the old Ruffler. I did a video on a ruffler on the modern Singer for my friend, but I wasn’t quite happy about it so I am making a new Ruffler video soon. xx

[@petercane6376]

Really clever idea. I never knew this was possible. I have just ordered a hand crank an 9 spoke wheel for my Singer 99. Mine has reverse but your method is less cumbersome. I think I will keep it electric as impossible to zig zag and backstitch with a hand cranker. How the heck did they manage? Food for thought. Also with a hand cranker you cannot stretch elastic on to a garment. Thank you mrs G!.

[@sewwithmrsg]

You're welcome 😊 I have to give credit to my tailor neighbor for that method as I learned it from her. In fact, I learned how to sew from watching her sew. I was 15 then. I can zigzag very neatly and very fast then, but eventually lost that skill when we, as time went by, acquired modern sewing machines with zigzag capabilities. Anyway, I'm happy that my video is helpful now. And btw, I also made videos about how to backstitch using a hand crank sewing machine and also how to sew dart without leaving thread tail in one of the videos. You are welcome to watch it, too, if you have time. And thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a comment 😊.

[@stephanieupright2324]

I need to see . more technique, I have my mom vintage machine.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Happy to know you have your mom's sewing machine. These old machines are excellent machines. I have several videos on some vintage and antique singer sewing machines. I hope they help you.

[@diabeticbutterfly]

I have a hand crank but with some crab finger positions i was still able to pull off backstitching this way. No where near as smooth but it worked. Never even thought to try a zigzag stitch in any way on it. But there are old zigzag foots and i’ll probably get one rather than zigzag that way.

[@sewwithmrsg]

Yes, it takes practice to do this zigzag, but in the old days I only have that option or to slip stitch the raw edges. I didn’t like to slip stitch because it will take forever hehe. Apparently, they did the slip stitch with Chanel jackets in the old days. Seen someone review a vintage Chanel jacket recently. Not sure if they do that still. I have industrial and home overlockers now so I’m not fast and neat with my old zigzag method n anymore ☺️

[@perlit22]

awesome!!!

[@sewwithmrsg]

Thank you ☺️

[@nailaselebw7876]

Una manera muy ingeniosa de rematar y hacer zig zag pon máquina recta

[@sewwithmrsg]

Si de verdad, gracias!

[@damlakaratekin5016]

hi! thank you so much for sharing :D i just wanted to ask a question, i am extremely new to sewing and i was wondering if the zigzag/lightning stitch would work on strechy fabrics? im kinda confused bc you showed more than one (loop?) on each line for the zigzag, i thought there only had to be one for the stitch. thank you for your time :D

[@sewwithmrsg]

Sorry I don’t understand your question. Will the zigzag work for stretchy fabric? Depends. Most stretchy fabrics do not need zigzag or neatening of the raw edges if they don’t fray. To sew a knit fabric together?Some use small zigzag so that the stitches do not break when the fabric stretches when worn. Modern machines have that small zigzag. With these vintage machines, that stitch is not available. I would stretch the fabric a bit when sewing so the stitches are not tight and will give it a little give but this technique does not guarantee that the stitches won’t break. I hope this answers your questions.

[@damlakaratekin5016]

@@sewwithmrsg i know i worded it a bit strangely, i don't think my english is good enough to word it correctly unfortunately 😅 but that advice does help!! thank you so much for taking the time to answer me

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@damlakaratekin5016 you're welcome and I'm happy that my reply helped.

[@evegem8978]

Are these capable of sewing heavy duty material like many layers and or jeans etc?

[@sewwithmrsg]

Heavy duty materials…it depends. This can sew and hem denim jeans, just use a jeans needle. Can sew canvas bags and the likes. But this machine is not for heavy duty sewing. There are vintage maybe even antique machines that are like the modern industrial machines. I have one, but I removed the very old industrial motor for safety reasons and just installed it on a treadle table. It’s a Singer 31K15. I’m sure there are other models. I hope to make a video on this machine soon.

[@poetmaggie1]

So a back stich can be accomplished by lifting the foot a little. Thanks.

[@sewwithmrsg]

yes! let me know how it goes when you try it.

[@ChequersWoodturning]

The old Singer 99 and the larger 99 are truly great sewing machines. However old versions only stitch forward. Lifting the presser foot leaver opens up the tension disks which removes the tension of the top thread. It will may cause the stitches not to form correctly. Darning and free motion quilting works best when either covering the feed dogs or setting the stitch length to zero and using a darning/quilting presser foot. Lifting the presser foot while sewing is not recommended.

[@sewwithmrsg]

That's alright. You don't need to do that if that's what you prefer. I did however learned this technique from our neighbour when I was very young. She is a tailor working in a tailoring shop then. I learned how to sew from her when I was 15, and that's long ago, I'm 67 now. We didn't have overlockers/sergers then. I made mine and my clients clothes then using this technique. With this machine, it would be very hard to lower feed dogs to backstitch at the beginning, put it up again to start sewing forward, and then put the feed dogs down again to backstitch again each time. I could not even find where to lower feed dogs or how to do it with these machines. So I just did what the tailors of old do and share it to others who can then choose to do it or not. By the way, my machine was not harmed all those years that I have been sewing everyday, 6 days a week, for clients. I was quite a successful dressmaker back then. Nowadays we have overlockers readily available so one can choose to do this technique or not. Still helpful for those without overlockers, rather than slip stitching the edges of fabric to prevent from fraying, like they do before my time. But thank you for letting us know what you think. Btw, I still haven't found a way to lower the feed dogs on my singer 66 and 99. I checked the singer website and these machines can lower feed dogs. I tried to find where it can be lowered but no success. I can lower feed dogs on my singer 15 but still not what I'll do just to backstitch. I would appreciate it if you can comment here on how to lower the feed dogs with these 2 models, if you know how. Thanks!

[@ChequersWoodturning]

@@sewwithmrsg The feed dogs cannot be lowered on the old Singer 66 and 99 sewing machines. Therefore Singer provided a cover plate for the feed dogs to be used for darning and free motion sewing. It was included with the purchase together with additional presser feet etc. Unfortunately, the box of attachments do not always come with the machine when purchasing it second hand. I have found that setting the stitch length to zero also works together with a darning presser foot, so I would consider that a more reliable method of darning to make sure the stitches are formed correctly. I understand why lifting the presser foot slightly and pulling the fabric against the feed dog motion is tempting as it takes more time to tie a knot on the back of the fabric. Opening the upper thread tension discs while sewing should not be presented as a best practice. I would recommend any new users of old Singer sewing machines to download the manual. They are very well written and it is a free download. I have been sewing for all my life just like you and brought many old machines back to life. These old Singer sewing machines are much better than most of the new machines so I hope you all enjoy using them. Adding a serger will make a really good combo. Happy sewing!

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@ChequersWoodturning thanks for this info. I have to check again because I have read long ago from the old sewing machine website that the feed dog can be lowered with these 2 models. I checked underneath the machines to find where to do it, but I couldn't move the feed dogs down. I'll let you know when I find that info at the singer website again.

[@moongamiyanda1020]

How do you reverse to lock stitch?

[@sewwithmrsg]

I have shown it on the video. I lift the presser foot very slightly so I can pull the fabric towards me and that allow me to sew backwards to the back stitch and immediately put the presser foot down right after it sew the backstitch so I can sew forward. I showed it in the video, if you watched it.

[@jasnadubravcic4772]

šta desnom rukom pridržava kad radi šav unatrag?

[@sewwithmrsg]

The presser foot lifter

[@jasnadubravcic4772]

@@sewwithmrsg hvala do neba najbolji ste.

[@sewwithmrsg]

@@jasnadubravcic4772 thank you as well ☺

[@jasnadubravcic4772]

zaboravila sam pitat koliko visoko ga podignut jer meni nije šav dobar

[@sewwithmrsg]

Lift the presser foot lifter just slightly, just enough so that you can freely pull the fabric towards you at the same time, and that's how it sew the backstitch. What it does is similar to doing free motion embroidery when the feed dog is down. But in this case the feed dog is engaged, but lifting the presser foot lifter a little bit allows us to "free motion" in a sense. I copy paste your comment in google translate so that I can understand what you wrote in Croatian :)

[@sewwithmrsg]

Podizač stopice samo malo podignite, tek toliko da u isto vrijeme možete slobodno povući tkaninu prema sebi i tako sašiti stražnji bod. Ono što radi slično je izvođenju vezenja slobodnim pokretima kada je mehanizam za uvlačenje spušten. Ali u ovom slučaju je pokretač uključen, ali malo podizanje podizača stopice omogućuje nam "slobodno kretanje" na neki način.

[@sewwithmrsg]

thank you for explaining it very well 😊

[@nigeldalebisram]

This a good thing but not for me

[@satriaazamnail4742]

@@nigeldalebisram do why bother watching it and even commenting it in the first place?

[@nigeldalebisram]

​@@satriaazamnail4742 Because YOU don't have my talents and skills in garment construction...! I'm sewing since at age 8 and I'm 51 years old now...

[@drontobil]

Witchcraft! Thank you ever so much! By the way: My grandfather was a master tailor. He only used a simple machine. When retired he got it electrified. Pity I can't show you photo. de SA3BOW

[@sewwithmrsg]

You’re welcome. I learned sewing from a tailor, she was my neighbour. I was 15 years old then.