ROTARY SERIES #4: Attaching Rotary Shank Sewing Feet

[@zensuufu]

Gooday, my friend gave me one of the Rotary white 77s with 11 different foot attachments and 2 alternate plates. I have no idea what some are for. Found an online manual but it doesn't talk about most of them. I can send you pics if needed. I appreciate you taking the time to post these videos. You keep these machines alive.

[@joycem5213]

Hello - I have five sewing machines, two of which are heirlooms -- the White rotary and the Franklin Rotary. The original owners were my husband's great grandmother and grandmother. They are both in tables. I had to tell you how USEFUL and HELPFUL all of your videos have been. I have been searching and watching everything I can on how to clean and restore these fabulous machines and I enjoy your direct, informative and encouraging videos on the topics that I have found to be so important when it comes to these machines. The White Rotary is a model 9002-2 and the Franklin Rotary is in a table that I cannot access what kind of model it is. I've taken it to a very reputable place to get cleaned and serviced and I'm awaiting word on how much that will be and how long it will take. The Franklin was used by my mother in law and I'm not sure how much maintenance was done on it. The White sat unused in a home for over twenty years -- that's the one that I'm currently trying to clean myself -- at least until I come up against something and have to bring it in. Thank you so much for ALL of the instruction, obvious love for these workhorses and for your dedication to preserving these machines. I have a Bernina Artista 170 in addition as well as a Singer Touch and Sew and a EuroPro 7133. Maybe the White and Franklin don't have all the stiches today's machines have, but to sew straight, take on seven layers of fabric and LAST as long as they have? Well -- that's priceless. How I wish you were in NY so that I can take these machines to you for your expertise!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for writing Joyce. You are right about the remarkable durability of these machines. One advantage of this Rotary Design that White made under their own name as well as quite a few others such as the Kenmore & Franklin brands is that this machine design was kept in production for many decades. Similar to how many vintage Singer models continued to be made alongside their more 'modern' replacements, this has great advantages to those of us today who want to overhaul them and/or find parts for them. Good news is that while I sometimes have to replace or repair parts, that is not the norm since most vintage home sewing machines are not broken, but rather 'dormant' as I like to say. They require a lot of time & patience sometimes, but how amazing that they will still sew. As to knowing whether your MIL's machine had maintenance, its hard to say. The old machines were over-engineered to the point that they sometimes continue to perform IN SPITE of a lack of maintenance. Ironic yes, since they should ALL be maintained to get the most from them. On one hand, its great that you have found a place that will service a machine this old for you. Still, you will want to ask for an itemized list of what was done. Not because you can't trust them, but for your own records. FYI, the quality of the rotary hook quality stitches these machines perform can rival those of Singer's best iconic machiens such as the Featherweight 221, 301, and 201 models. I may have mentioned in my videos on these White made Rotarys that they are some of the most underrated and under priced machines out there. You could even say that are a "Poor man's Singer 201". Congrats on yours and let us know how you make out with the overhaul that you are having that service center perform.

[@randyjohnson5651]

I have a Domestic 153 and a White 77 they both have this style foot. unique

[@peggyflowers6755]

Thanks! I have been trying to figure out how to do that!

[@yetimangaming9384]

Iv got a Kenmore commander from 1938 and mine has a zigzag attachment

[@lyricwritertoo]

Omg, i was convinced to buy these extra feet from a lady I bought two class 15 machines from and knowing I only had a standard machines she convinshed me the extra feet were a great deal. But since about 10,000 people are selling the feet on etsy, eBay, Pinterest and have no idea how to sew many people onthe plant thing they are standard.??? It has taken me 4 months to even get close to knowing what machine they are for and finally someone said White 77 rotary. I’m not entirely sure what rotary means. Because singer has regular feet saying rotary on the box by the picture. So I’m presuming this is not a modern day attachment you can get for “any” machine to make it use these feet and that its built in. So I’m wondering why there are only like 100 machines if that available in the entire world but 10,000 people selling these attachments. Yes I’m exaggerating but if sure feels like that!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello. I too was mystified some years back when I first began to purchase and overhaul machines It might be helpful to think of the different standard specs for sewing machine feet like Iphone vs. Android. During the vintage era, the White company was the second largest sewing machine maker in the world after Singer and was Singer's main competitor. This is why the "Rotary" feet and attachments are not compatible with Singers. As for the term "Rotary", its a type of shuttle/hook system where the machine's shuttle spins 360 degrees whereas the other primary type is "Oscillating" shuttle hook. No company had exclusive rights to either one and so you will see many brands of machine that can have either a rotary hook/shuttle design or one that oscillates. Some confusion might happen since the White Company used the term "Rotary" in its machine names. They also made machines under the name Kenmore, Domestic, Dressmaster, Franklin, etc. Your Feet/Attachments similar to those I show in this video will not work on Singer or other rotary machines that use the side thumbscrew attachments. I don't know if the seller was even aware that they were selling you something that you could not use unless you had a machine that was compatible with them. I often find a variety of feet/attachments in sewing machine tables I get and not all of them go with the machine that is mounted in the table. Sometimes, machines are not original to the table and I suspect it was common for someone to loan or give feet and attachments to friends/neighbors and neither party knew about the compatibility until they tried using the items they were given. You might try selling these to someone who has a machine that can use them. For what it's worth, I find these faster to install and remove from a machine than the more common side mounting feet which your Singer 15 uses.

[@peterkeller5462]

I would appreciate a little bit of help I've been looking at your videos and like all of them but I am having trouble trying to find a chrome light for my white rotary sewing machine would you have any ideas

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page44.html

[@charr6281]

Hello! I recently found myself in possession of a really old vintage treadle white rotary machine in great condition although I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to attach the buttonholer, I’m fairly sure it fits the machine and it’s even a white branded one but it just dosent seem quite as intuitive as the other feet are, I REALLY need help with this.

[@zocansew]

are there adapters to make these work for low shank machines?

[@zelmadoolaard4626]

How do you get the attachment that holds the feet onto the bar that goes up and down...there is no room to get it under...any ideas would be helpful...thanks

[@donnasqueaky2]

I just got a Goodrich Rotary machine circa 1920s. The bobbin is different. I can't catch the thread. I wonder if it's the right bobbin or if the hook timing is off. Total newbie here. Any info on that particular machine?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi. I've never worked on one of those and yes, the bobbin would be different given that your Rotary was not made by White Sewing as this one here in the video was. I would suggest seeking out a repair/collector group for your brand of machine on FB and other places where fans of particular brands share info.

[@donnasqueaky2]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Yeah. I hope I can find someone. Surely there is more than one out there.

[@donnasqueaky2]

UPDATE! I think National Sewing Machine Company was involved along with Western Electric. Nose configurations are purt near the same. Both used same decal design.🙂

[@markfannin3975]

Great video. Your videos inspired me to purchase a vintage Domestic machine that's being packaged for delivery. I've also wondered about how the presser feet are installed. Do you know the commercial name of the type of presser feet? I want to purchase some from eBay but don't even know a name to search for them? Thanks again for the inspiration.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Mark. Given that these feet were only for the machines that the White Co.made under either their name or others. (For example, Sears sold it as the Kenmore Rotary from 1934-1960 and there are no shortages of these feet. They often sit in the sewing table drawers of people who have other machines and the owners have no clue what they go to. Some people call them "Top Loading" feet although I find that term applies more to bobbins. The best way for you to search is going to be to use the word "Rotary" or "Rotary Sewing Accessories/Feet" etc. FYI, they do not have to say Domestic on them. Don't be surprised if you see, White, Kenmore, Dressmaster, Domestic, Franklin since these were all "Versions" of your machine. Sometimes, the seller will simply describe them as "Old Sewing Machine Accessories". But photos are your friend and so always get a picture/pictures of what you are purchasing. You will know quickly when you see the horseshoe shaped shank, that you have feet that "should" fit your machine. And like most other vintage feet, they sell for very little. In addition to Ebay, I would also suggest bonanza.com There are vendors there that sell salvage sewing machine parts.

[@markfannin3975]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thank you again. I found some on shopgoodwill . com :) You are right, pictures were my friend and I have a dozen coming in the mail for ten dollars (plus 8 for shipping). Really looking forward to restoring this machine to perfect working order. It will be an heirloom item for my daughter. Cannot thank you enough for the video and expert information. God bless.

[@sandrasosa1986]

Hello I have a white rotary sewing machine and need help with my machine.

[@christinhor3571]

Hi everyone I have this type of machine foot, but it’s old. I was looking to buy new one. Any advice where I can buy them. Thank you for advance for your sharing information

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Try sites such as Ebay, Etsy, and Bonanza. There are lots of these feet and attachments out there given how long the machines were made and the vast numbers of those that were sold. They should not generally be costly. I love the way they attach to the machine.

[@rickkingsbury3014]

We have a domestic rotary model 153 for some reason it won't pick up the bobbin thread tried and tried please help

[@darlenenelson215]

I picked up a box of rotary attachments from the goodwill thinking they might fit my singer 115. They don't seem to work on it :(

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Those would not as they have a different (but just as nice ) mounting system. If you have no plans on getting a Rotary model, there are lots of folks online that would likely purchase from you. There are groups on Facebook that cater to each brand of vintage machines including these. I'm sure they would find an interest there fairly quickly. Your 115 Singer should take Low Shank style feet and attachments.

[@darlenenelson215]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thank you so.much. I don't do FB, is there other places I could sale them.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

@@darlenenelson215 Yes, you might try bonanza.com You can sell all sorts of items there. I have found an unusual number of vintage machine parts and accessories for sale there. Its not an auction site like Ebay (nothing wrong with that either), but bonanza is a selling site that Ive had good luck with as a buyer.

[@darlenenelson215]

Thank you so.much for your help💗

[@itbbrokeifix]

I have a White Rotary from my grandmother. She got it from her husband as a gift between 1922 and 1947. I have a box of extra of extra "feet" and don't know what they're for. Do you have a video of the different feet and what they are for. If I'm seeing right I count 10 of them.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Stephen. I have some videos on Rotary machines as well as overhauling a motor on those. As far as attachments go, I have a video on Sewing Machine feet and I think I may have covered some of the Rotary style attachments. But I did not have many since many of these machines typically have fewer attachments with them than most Singers from the same era. If you have 10, you are VERY fortunate as these are less common. (You can find them online but not nearly as often as the more common Singer low shanks). Your grandmother may have purchase those additional pieces at her local dealer or they might have also been gifts. They were not super cheap like some newer attachments are today. And best of all, you have a great heirloom. Congratulations!

[@Quilt4Joy]

Thank you for the video, I have a set of these rotary attachments and never knew what machine they go to. I have a Red Eye Singer. Do you know where I can purchase needles for it? Thank you!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It helps if you now the model number but if it is a Singer 66 as I understand all of the 'Red Eyes' were, it should use home sewing needles (15x1).

[@juliannbarrow431]

Hi I’m looking for some help, I have a singer from ‘82 and a set of white rotary feet. Is there any way to use these feet on my machine?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Most of the vintage White Rotary models (and related brands such as Kenmore Rotary, Domestic Rotary, Dressmaster Rotary etc) have a different foot design and so they are not compatible. The only machine that they might work on is a early 1960's White model that was made in Japan by Juki and while it has the name "Rotary" on it, it is actually not a rotary style machine but rather a Class 15 machine.

[@juliannbarrow431]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thank you! I wasn’t sure if there was any converter piece or anything like that

[@RamChickPig]

Do I need a specific foot for sewing zippers? Thanks.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, you want a Zipper Foot that is specifically for sewing in zippers