Layers of Meaning

Vibrating Shuttle Bobbin in Action

More on the vibrating shuttle: I located an old Singer instruction book, Machine Sewing A Treatise On The Care And Use Of Family Sewing Machines (revised 1938). This book is a fascinating trove of arcane knowledge. I was most attracted by the explanations of how several of the antique attachments work. (The book has 10 pages on the Ruffler and its uses). The series of drawings (below) illustrate how the vibrating shuttle works. The bobbin actually shoots through a loop of thread, alongside the needle. When the bobbin is in the extreme position, the bobbin thread is pulled up to complete the stitch and then the bobbin returns to its starting location.

The books details another early technology, the single thread looper machine. This machine had no bobbin at all, just the main spool of thread. A piece below would pull the thread down and fashion an interlocking loop (not unlike crocheting) for each stitch.

If you are fascinated by old books or old machines, this book appears to be still available through many of the web-based used services. Price ranges from $20.00 to $150.00, depending on your source.