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Mystery Sewing Machine Attachment

What is this? Does it attach to a sewing machine?
It looks as if it might have something to do with bias binding or bias tape.
Maybe it is supposed to attach to a notion of some sort.
What is this? Does it attach to a sewing machine?

What is this? Does it attach to a sewing machine?

We found this old sewing attachment when doing some office "house cleaning." It's been kicking around for years, moved from one place to another. We don't want to toss it, but we can only guess what it's for. I'm sure at one time someone at Threads actually used it, but we can't determine its purpose. We suspect it has something to do with bias tape. We're not sure if it's an attachment for a sewing machine, or maybe for another type of sewing tool. Whatever it is, it looks as if it would be helpful when used properly.

Do you recognize this item?  If so, let us know.

 

amm April M. Mohr, contributor
Posted on Jul 20th, 2010 in tools & supplies, notions

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Comments (52)

MSTHANG50 MSTHANG50 writes: It is an attachment for sewing on bias tape, I worked in a factory where I used one. it fit on a industrial single needle sewing machine.It can also be used for a folder.
Posted: 11:49 pm on August 8th

MargieP MargieP writes: I think that thing-a-ma-bob is used for attaching binding to something.
Posted: 7:48 pm on August 3rd

Tereese Tereese writes: Yes I know what this attachment was used for, it aided in applying bias folded tape to edges of garments. I used to use one in a blouse factory when I worked during summer vacations while I was in High School. It was a "god send" and
I could produce so fast with this atachment, I used to receive bonus' in my paycheck.

Tereese
Posted: 6:04 am on August 1st

Kaiti Kaiti writes: this tool used a screw to hold down to the top of throat plate it folded the fabric for heming. possibly you could use bias, but i feel it was used for heming
Posted: 8:20 am on July 28th

sandydandy sandydandy writes: I just picked up an older white sewing machine today at goodwill. In the manual this is a bias tape attacchment.According to the manual you can fold the bias binding and apply it to the edge of the fabric in one operation.It also edges the folded binding to the edge of like pockets or something.You can also two tone the binding. This can also be used with hand cut bias. The attachments didn't come with the machine so I am going to look for them.The machine is a white 793. It does decorative work. I found out on the internet this machin is heavy duty.The machine is in good condition. right now I am in the process of cleaning andoiling it.I love to fool around with these older machines. What I am going to do with all these God only knows.
Posted: 1:44 am on July 28th

susmand susmand writes: Yep, it is a bias binder attachment. The long slat is where the screws go to attach to the bed of the machine. I wouldn't necessary say it is for an older machine - I have on very similar that I use on my Bernina 730 Artista. The material feeds in flat with right side towards the flat side of the slot on the attachment and as it is fed, it folds over onto it self so you end up with double folded bias tape at the point of your needle - great for binding blankets and quilts!
Posted: 1:22 am on July 28th

debbido debbido writes: This is used to bind the edge of fabric as in bias tape. As a piece of flat fabric is fed in, the edges are folded in and then over again wrapping the raw edge of another piece of fabric. In the commercial world, it can be on a straight stitch or chain stitch machine. I have one that fits on my Babylock coverstitch machine that I use all the time. They come in different sizes to better fit your need.
Posted: 6:35 pm on July 27th

skeezz skeezz writes: This is a bias binder, it slants off to the side for easier feeding of the fabric and the binding; It's easier visually also to work with

Carolyn
Posted: 2:22 pm on July 27th

orsinimedici1951 orsinimedici1951 writes: On secoond thought, it looks like it could be a cording foot.
Posted: 11:45 am on July 27th

orsinimedici1951 orsinimedici1951 writes: Could it possiibly be a rolled hem foot that has been bent and damaged, thus disguising its' original form??? It looks mishapen and I can't quite see how it could line up with the needle in its' present shape.
Posted: 11:44 am on July 27th

ricster ricster writes: This is a bias binder used on straight stitch machines, like a featherweight or an older white. It can bind seams and edges while turning under the raw edges of the binding and folding it as it sews. Love this attachment, I have one for my Bernina and I love to do Hong Kong finishes on jackets.
Posted: 11:43 am on July 27th

rmwm rmwm writes: It looks like something used for bias tape to me and looks like it attaches to the machine.
Posted: 7:30 am on July 27th

teariana teariana writes: Wow what a cool attachment. From what I can see from the pic it looks like it is for 1/8" either stitching on the binding or the binding itself. I am not at all familiar about any of this but just wanted to add my 2 cents, :). When I was younger there were a lot of cool attachments out there. From what I have read in the previous comments I hope the trend is to get back to some of these as there is no electronic equivalent available.
Posted: 3:03 am on July 27th

goldflinch goldflinch writes: This device attaches to the throat plate of the sewing machine and is used to feed binding under the presser foot. It can be used with prefolded binding, or with binding that will be folded as it is applied.

The one that I have is used on an industrial machine, and can be used without a special foot.

Bernina makes a similiar (plate) that is very useful, and that attachment requires a special presser foot in addition to the plate. It is quite expensive, but worth it if you are going to be doing a lot of binding, much more successful that the smaller binders. It is much less a headache to use, the results are much more precise, and as you would expect, you pay the difference in cost for a precision tool.

I cannot say if other "home machine manufactures" produce this attachment as I have not investiaged it.
Posted: 12:44 am on July 27th

DebiGriz DebiGriz writes: Hi! I have an old Singer 185 machine, and this looks a lot like the attachment for sewing bias tape. Mine has the foot attached. So your guess could be right.
DebiGriz
Posted: 11:56 pm on July 26th

cre8dezines cre8dezines writes: It has already been stated in the comments that this is a bias binder attachment for a sewing machine.
I thought I would add that it will also work on a serger/coverstitch machine. I have a generic set of these in several sizes and use them to bind with bias and also to make straps either on the sewing machine with twin needles or on the coverstitch with two needles. It will work with wovens and stretch fabrics. Stretch, such as lycra and stretch velvet take a little practice to get consistant binding or straps. Also note that stretch fabrics won't need to be cut on the bias as woven fabrics will.
The upper piece on the binder that has the rectangular opening is where the screws will go to attach it to the machine. One needs to adjust the binder to sit right in front of the presser foot so that the bias strip is fed directly into the presser foot.
Posted: 11:02 pm on July 26th

Diane173 Diane173 writes: I believe the attachment is for a sewing to install bias tape to edges of fabric. Diane Taylor
Posted: 9:31 pm on July 26th

mastdenman mastdenman writes: It's a binder. It applies bias binding to an edge. I have a couple of these.
Posted: 8:54 pm on July 26th

grannyfrog grannyfrog writes: I believe this is an attachment for making pleats on the sewing machine. My mother's old machine had one.
Posted: 8:50 pm on July 26th

meadows5504 meadows5504 writes: This looks like a bias binder attachment. feed the bias into the tube and it turns both edges in, folds in half over your fabric and sews it down.
Posted: 8:39 pm on July 26th

froglegs1 froglegs1 writes: It is a binder attachment. I have two of these. Each sews a differant width of binding to a raw edge. These attachments are wonderful, they do such a good job.
Posted: 8:33 pm on July 26th

KathleenSews KathleenSews writes: I had a "mystery attachment" with a patent number engraved on it. I found out what it was by searching the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office web site, where information on many patents are available. http://www.uspto.gov/

In case your are curious, it was an eyelet maker for straight stitch machines.
Posted: 7:28 pm on July 26th

btjohnson56 btjohnson56 writes: It looks just like a bias tape maker attachment for a sewing machine. I think that I'm right! YES?
Posted: 7:08 pm on July 26th

janniede janniede writes: It is definitely a bias binder applicator device used in combination with an adapted foot (not shown), Pre- folded bias binding is fed through the upright portion of the plate and is stitched to the fabric to be bound as the binding emerges from the upright tube.

They come in specific sizes according to the size of the binding used. Their primary use is with industrial machines and the plate is screwed to the sewing machine, after being positioned carefully. Fantastic tools!

There are other models which will fold a flat bias strip and apply it.
Posted: 6:46 pm on July 26th

kbbear kbbear writes: it's a bias tape adapter used to make binding.
Posted: 6:33 pm on July 26th

summer331 summer331 writes: i think this is an easy one! tho i may be wrong. i think this is a bias tape maker - attachment. i think for a sewing machine - but possibly for a serger.
Posted: 6:18 pm on July 26th

loislev loislev writes: This is a double fold bias tape maker to stitch a bias fabric on the outer edge of a project. Years ago it came with most home sewing machines but not now anymore. People got away from making their our bias tape when it was readily available per-made for purchase at the store. Now it's an extra accessory you can purchase for your serger/coverstitch machine usually used with a chain stitch or coverstitch. You now can purchase it and use it with your serger/coverstitch machines and the BabyLock Sashiko machine also. People are now able to use it with some of the newer sewing machine again.
It's the convince of making your own bias tape so it will coordinate with your project. As you make the bias tape it can be stitched to the project at the same time, which it also very convenient.

Posted: 5:51 pm on July 26th

summer331 summer331 writes: i think this is an easy one! tho i may be wrong. i think this is a bias tape maker - attachment. i think for a sewing machine - but possibly for a serger.
Posted: 5:49 pm on July 26th

PlainJaney PlainJaney writes: This attachment is for a serger I believe. It is either a belt loop folder or a bias binder.
Posted: 5:27 pm on July 26th

Crazyaboutsewing Crazyaboutsewing writes: This is a bias binder. It appears to be generic but many machines do have specific binders for their model. I love my bias binders and have one generic and one for my Berninas.
Posted: 5:25 pm on July 26th

Nadean Nadean writes: looks like a seambinder that you feed through the slot and sew it on the curve of you pattern.
Posted: 4:50 pm on July 26th

rmv rmv writes: That's a "swing away" type binder. There's a demo on youtube for it.
Posted: 4:45 pm on July 26th

cornelia1 cornelia1 writes: it is an bias tape binder for a industrial machine I had one of my own, a husqvarna fro 1955 or 1958.
sorry for my bad english writing. i am from holland
Posted: 4:39 pm on July 26th

quiltinqueenie1 quiltinqueenie1 writes: That was for the sewing machine. It screwed onto the bottom plate of the machine and it was used for sewing your own home made narrow seam binding or cording on to what ever you were sewing it on to. Hope that makes sense. I have not seen one in years.
Posted: 4:29 pm on July 26th

chicagoquilts chicagoquilts writes: This is definitely a bias binder attachment. I was researching them last night. This one looks like it will fit a Brother or a newer machine. The attachment position on my machine does not work for some of the newer attachments. But on u-tube there were a variety of demos on how to use this type.
Posted: 4:02 pm on July 26th

JacqKnits JacqKnits writes: Not sure what machine it is for, but this attachment takes a bias piece of material and shapes it into a bias tape. Then another attachment sews the bias tape onto a different section of fabric. It is really nice the way it works. You need to practice to get all the pieces together but it once you have it all together you can really make the bias binding/joining fast. Jacqknits
Posted: 3:46 pm on July 26th

kaychan kaychan writes: Looks like a bias tape maker for a coverstitch machine to me.
k
Posted: 3:37 pm on July 26th

hotdotyuki hotdotyuki writes: It is an attachment used usually on commercial sewing machines. It is a double fold bias binder, so there is no need to have a bias folded to attach on an edge, just a length of bias cut the width of the widest opening. It is usually screwed on with a machine screw on the bed of the sewing machine in front of the foot so the needle sews the inner edge of the folded bias. It comes in various finished widths from 1/4". Larger ones are even used to bind edges of blankets but are made with a separate foot and feed attachments.
Posted: 3:35 pm on July 26th

mdearden mdearden writes: It looks very much like modern binding attachments that are used with a cover stitching machine. Two screws attach the binder to the plate of the cover stitcher. This allows side to side adjustments and placement of the needle / needles on the binding material.
Posted: 3:29 pm on July 26th

Threadslady Threadslady writes: I purchased one of these just a few years ago for my Baby Lock Serger. I have also used it on my Bernina sewing machine. It is an expensive accessory, the packages still has the price on it of $75.00. It makes a very nice finished bias binding put on in one step. You insert a strip of bias cut to the correct width and it folds and stitches it.
Posted: 3:27 pm on July 26th

LorTwi LorTwi writes: This looks very much like my bias binding tool; this part is screwed to the machine and there is a separate one-toed presser foot that works with it.
Posted: 3:11 pm on July 26th

CookPhyllis CookPhyllis writes: I have just read the responses and just want to add to them. I have a book "The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook" by Charlene Phillips. I looked through it and did not find this
item any where in the book. I am glad that so many people
responded and you have found the answer. Phyllis
Posted: 2:59 pm on July 26th

danish317 danish317 writes: This piece is and industrial bias binding folder, and yes it does attach to a machine. It attachs to the right off the footplate and is adjustable. They come in different sizes depending on the width ov bias tape. It looks like one I use but is missing the screws that go through the slot and attach it to the machine.
Posted: 2:57 pm on July 26th

sewphy sewphy writes: If you check out the "Summer Stripes" picture that I posted last year, the periwinkle vest with the green binding was made entirely with a bias binder foot like the one in the picture. I cut and sewed the pieces in a particular order to cover all the intersecting seams along the way. It was a really fun project and no hand work at the end! My attachment also has a special "one sided presser foot" that snugs up to the edge of the bias binding guide. It is one of my favorite attachments. It is also a great way to make reversable garments.
Posted: 2:54 pm on July 26th

stressedchemist stressedchemist writes: It's a bias binder to finish and edge with bias binding by machine.
Posted: 2:49 pm on July 26th

clem80 clem80 writes: i have a professional cover stitch machine ,that one of the
attachment use to put binding on arm or neck holes also can be use to bind other things.i also have one simlar that came with another machine same .

Posted: 2:49 pm on July 26th

KimsIdleHands KimsIdleHands writes: It is definately a bias binding attachment.
I use a Bernina and it is very close to the one I use. It is only missing the special foot and the screws to attach it to the sewing bed.

Thanks for the opportunity to help.

Love your tips and hints.
Posted: 2:48 pm on July 26th

marihaf marihaf writes: that is a bias binder attachment. It creates and attaches bias bindings to garments.

Mari
Posted: 2:43 pm on July 26th

Xteacher Xteacher writes: It is for applying bias binding and was made for the Singer Featherweight machine. The pic shows it not assembled correctly.
Posted: 2:33 pm on July 26th

vonderinsel vonderinsel writes: I believe it is used for attaching bias binding to the edge of fabric. It was screwed to the machine so that it lined up with the sewing foot and needle.
Posted: 11:08 am on July 23rd

Hojean Hojean writes: This is a "folder" for attaching bias tape from a roll onto armholes or necklines, or other edges. This looks like the kind we had in the garment factory where I worked for 19 years. Sometimes we had some extra metal soldered onto these folders to make them longer and of course there were many different sizes, depending on the style of the garment and the width of the binding needed. The roll of binding usually hung on a rack beside the machine and fed into the folder very easily. The folder was held in place by a screw through the slot, so the distance from the edge of the garment could be adjusted.
Posted: 7:51 pm on July 20th

dilly_dally dilly_dally writes: Bias tape maker was exactly my thought. If it attaches to a machine (maybe to apply it as it is made) it is missing part of it!

Sg
Posted: 4:11 pm on July 20th

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