The chain stitch kit that came in a yellow box with the clear cover, and included a throat plate insert, and weird propeller thingy was often part of the “Story Book” accessories package that came with many Kenmore 158 series sewing machines. The chain stitch kit was only available with machines that were chain stitch compatible, and these tended to be the more expensive models. The chain stitch capable machines also limited to machines using the class 15 bobbin and bobbin case, and an oscillating hook.

There are several different versions of the chain stitch kit, with the difference between them being the throat plate insert.

The Story Book accessories package will be the subject of another post(s), but in a nut shell they included things like stitch pattern cams, buttonholers, small tools, extra presser feet, and even things like monogramming tools.

Chain stitch capable?

Not all of the Kenmore 158 series sewing machines are capable of making a chain stitch. The hook, or more accurately, the hook carrier of the chain stitch capable machines is special.

In the photo above the hook carrier of the 158.13180 lacks the little hole to the right of the center post found on the 158.18023, and the thread sweeper [?Name Incorrect?] is shorter.

The hole in the hook carrier of the chain stitch capable machine mates with the post on the bottom of the chain stitch propeller attachment. This post acts as a drive dog, forcing the propeller to move in unison with the oscillating movement of the hook carrier.

The last part of the Kenmore chain stitch puzzle is the throat plate insert.
The photo above shows the same model throat plate insert. The insert on the left shows the underside.

None of the chain stitch kits that I currently have fit any of my machines, so I tried using my standard straight stitch throat plate insert but that didn’t work. I was advised that you could use the Zig-Zag plate instead, and yes, it works.

Reality check… from a practical standpoint, a chain stitch can be quite useful, enabling you to place and remove stitches quickly. As an aesthetic, the chain stich you get from a household machine looks like a regular lock stitch from the top, and a slightly loopy stitch from below. So it’s not terribly exciting, at least not visually.

My experience with chain stitch is very limited, so it’s quite possible that a person that really knows what they’re doing could do work that looks like the embroidery stitching that I had imagined.

Specifications

Brand	Kenmore
Type	Chain Stitch Kit
Construction	All Metal