Chainstitching on Kenmore 158.1774

The feature I'm discussing in this post is chain stitching.  I covered this before on the Singer 600 machines HERE  But now I'm going to compare it with the Kenmore chain stitching system.

Kenmore 158.17741

(Shown here with my recently acquired kitty)

So, while the chain stitching is essentially done the same way on both machines - you remove the bobbin and cover the bobbin case, plus install a special throat plate/throat plate insert - there are a few differences.

First the 603.  As shown in the earlier post, you have three parts to install in order to chain stitch.

1.  Thread guide

2.  Chain stitching throat plate

3.  Bobbin cover

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The Kenmore 1774 (and presumably other 158 Kenmores that chain stitch) only has TWO parts to be installed.  You save maybe 30 seconds because they are also slightly easier to put in place.

1. Chain stitch throat plate insert

2. Bobbin case insert 

The Kenmore is quicker and easier to set up: +1

As for how they sew, there is one BIG difference.  Here is the Singer 603:

Play to the end, and you'll see that with this machine you "chain" right off the fabric just like you do with a serger. 

Compare to the Kenmore which doesn't do that (at least mine doesn't!)

 I think the Singer has better stitch quality (the one with the chain, of course)

                             

And if the chain doesn't seem like a big deal, it really is because chaining off makes it easier to remove the work from the machine without pulling out the stitches.   Chain out as far as you like, then you can easily cut it off.  With the other one, you have to hold on tight to that thread in order to get it out and cut it without pulling out the stitches (ask me how I know!)

Also, the chains themselves come in handy if you want to make chain loops for belt carriers or to tack shoulder pads into place or something like that.

The Singer does better stitching:  +1

I guess you could call it a draw, each one has an advantage so it just depends on what you are doing.  If you want a quick removable basting stitch, the Kenmore is quicker to set up (and otherwise I wouldn't even bother!)  If you are doing extensive chain stitching and need it to be more secure and/or you want the actual chains, then go for the Singer.