Jan 27, 2014

Sewing Machine Tutorial: How to Use Stitch Pattern Cams

If you have a vintage zig-zag sewing machine you might have a box of stitch pattern cams. These come in the shape of weird knobs or discs that you have to place within your sewing machine if you want to go beyond the basic zig-zag stitch and create other decorative stitches.

It has taken me ages to figure out how to use the stitch pattern cams that came with my vintage Empisal sewing machine, because there are no instructions anywhere online (seriously, am I the only one who has one of these awesome machines??) but now that I have I wanted to share a tutorial just in case it will help someone else.
How to Use Stitch Patterns Cams on a Empisal Goldline zig-zag sewing machine, Model GL-2E
How to Use Stitch Patterns Cams on a Empisal Goldline zig-zag sewing machine, Model GL-2E
  • Select a Cam
  • Set the ZigZag control to the max - this step is important
  • Open up the top cover housing.
  • Peer inside and locate the tooth gear wheel - don't worry, it's obvious.
  • Place the cam exactly centre on the gear, aligning the hole in the cam with the small knob on the gear. It should fit nicely and sit perfectly flat. [If it doesn't, check you set the zig-zag to 5]
  • Only now loose the dial controlling the zig-zag length so the stitch width goes down to zero. No need to re-tighten the dial.
  • Reduce the stitch length to as small as you can - mine is set to half a stitch. You'll probably need to play around with the length once you start stitching.
  • Close up the cover and proceed to sew.
  • Magic! The cam now controls the stitch that is produced. 
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19 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 9:34 AM

    You know what's funny? This weekend, my mom's cousin told me what a stitch pattern cam is. She used them on her 1960s Elna machine. I had no idea such a thing existed before. So I had to smile when I read your post. :)

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    Replies
    1. Kura CarpenterJanuary 30, 2014 at 1:15 PM

      I had no idea they existed either until I encountered them face to face - it's quite hard googling something when you don't know what it's called :P

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM

    Oh it is. "That thing you stick in the sewing machine to stitch patterns" erm... ;)

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  3. WendyFebruary 13, 2014 at 4:34 AM

    Such a cool feature! I had never even heard of these before!

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  4. Dani SJuly 7, 2015 at 9:57 PM

    Hi. I just found my Mom's old Empisal Goldline machine. Any ideas where I can go to learn some sewing tips? And also to check that my machine has the right parts?

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    Replies
    1. Kura CarpenterJuly 8, 2015 at 11:17 AM

      Hi Dani,
      alas there's little online info about Empisals as far as I'm aware, which is why I've shared what I know.
      Regarding parts I would check with your mom first, and see if you have a manual. If you have any specific questions I'll try to answer them.
      Otherwise for general learning how to sew tutorials you can't beat YouTube.
      Hope this helps :)

      Delete
  5. UnknownNovember 30, 2015 at 5:44 AM

    Hi, i just inherited a empisal goldline GL-2E sewing machin. I hav never sewn before but want to learn and i have know idea how to do anything plus i dont have a user manual or anything. Can you please help me?

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    Replies
    1. Kura CarpenterNovember 30, 2015 at 10:34 AM

      HI, I think you can find manuals online. If not, I can create a "how to thread your machine" tutorial if that's of help. Or please ask specfic questions and I'll try and answer them.

      Delete
  6. kumar gulavitaDecember 30, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    where is the adjustment for adjusting hook timing on a Empisal goldline machine,please?
    Regards

    Manel

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJanuary 12, 2016 at 9:23 AM

    I am so glad I found you on Google!! My mom (83) gave me her Empisal Goldline GL-2E and she cannot remember how to use the stitch pattern cams!! THANK YOU for sharing it with everyone!! I do however struggle to thread the machine. She is such a beauty and I am so proud of her! My dad bought her in 1961 as a present for my mom and my mom used her until know. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to "play"with the machine as kids and now nobody knows how to thread her.

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  8. UnknownJanuary 12, 2016 at 9:28 AM

    Thank you, thank you for all the information!! Please create a "how to thread your machine" as my mom gave me her 1961 Empisal Goldline GL 2E machine and I do not know how to thread it. I am so glad you showed us how to use the pattern cams as my mom cannot remember and I also have the complete set. It is an amazing machine and she dressed my mom and all 4 daughters for over 50 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kura CarpenterJanuary 12, 2016 at 10:37 AM

      Hi Adrianna, sure thing, I'll try and get a tutorial showing How-to thread the machine up by the end of this week. Thanks for your kind comments :)

      Delete
  9. Kura CarpenterJanuary 15, 2016 at 3:52 PM

    Threading Tutorial is now availble : http://makingmakesmylife.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/tutorial-how-to-thread-empisal-sewing.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. aishaMarch 17, 2016 at 12:29 AM

    Hi Kura, wow me too inherited my belated mom's emipsal goldline GL-2E and was struggling so much to wind thread on bobbin,and now I first see stitch pattern too, what a great creativity...thank u so much for this website, I just need to wind thread on bobbins

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMarch 29, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Thank you for posting this. I have not done this before. I needed to do some sewing and my mom reluctantly gave me this machine(Empisal Goldline Deluxe). I am a mechanic by trade and this machine has been built to be indestructible and amazingly simple. I took it out the box after 20 years and once I had read your post I was sewing in minutes. This machine is built better than that latest cars on the road today. Again thank you for your post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMarch 29, 2016 at 8:43 PM

    Thank you for posting this. I needed to try my hand at this so my mom reluctantly gave me this old machine. I took it out of its box after more than 20 years. Read your posts and I was sewing like a champ in minutes. I am a machanic by trade and this machine is built to be indestructible and so simple. It may be better built than most of the cars on the road today. Thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  13. Racer XMay 8, 2016 at 2:23 PM

    I just bought a vintage Baycrest zigzag machine that cam with 28 cams. It's great to know how to use these now.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownAugust 10, 2016 at 1:51 AM

    Bought a Goldline Mark IV and was struck dumb with the cams until I read your blog, little lever next to where cam goes in not sure what this is for, also not sure how old this machine is. Tx Julie - South Africa

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  15. UnknownAugust 10, 2016 at 1:53 AM

    Bought a Goldline Mark IV - after reading your blog about cams I will be able to use them - thank you. Just don't know how old this machine is. Just a pity there is no manual to be found on Google.

    ReplyDelete

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