ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE RESOURCE - Singer Sewing Machines

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HISTORY OF THE COMPANY


Needless to say, the Singer Manufacturing Company is the most famous sewing machine manufacturer in the world. One of the few American sewing ma-chine manufacturers still in business, the company was originally founded by Isaac M. Singer, inventor of the first practical continuous sewing machine, in 1851. The company was initially located in Boston where Singer had in-vented his first machine. In 1853 the factory was moved to New York City in the heart of the industrial district

In April 1863, the company was incorporated under the name of The Singer Manufacturing Company. In 1873, the company was reincorporated in the state of New Jersey where it remains today.

The Singer Company was the first to pioneer the installment plan in 1856 with the introduction of the Singer Family model sewing machine. The retail price of the sewing machine was far above what the average family could afford. The idea of Isaac Singer�s business partner Edward Clark, it endeavored to place the sewing machine within the means of the average household.

Along with the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, Singer never sold �stenciled� models. From the late 1850s, all Singer sewing machines were only sold through branch offices or authorized Singer dealers, unlike the many other manufacturers whose business mainly came from sup-plying department stores and mail-order companies.

Although the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company had initially been the moving force in the sewing machine industry, by the late 1870s the Singer Company had established itself as the foremost competitor in the sewing machine industry. Factories were established in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Russia. The popularity of Singer sewing machines was so great that in a number of languages, the word �Singer� became synonymous with the term �sewing machine�.

Because of the growing popularity of Singer sewing machines, other manufacturers both in the United States and in Europe began to pirate Singer models. Infringement ranged from using a few features which Singer owned the rights for, to outright cloning of Singer machines which was widely done in Germany.

Although not labeled as �Singer� machines, these clones were often identical if not exactly the same as Singer machines in shape, size, and mechanism. However, mechanically they were usually inferior and did not sew as well as genuine Singer machines.

In 1905, the Singer company acquired its one-time rival, the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company. Singer continued to manufacture a number of popular W&W domestic and industrial machines at the Bridgeport, Connecticut, plant for many years thereafter. In 1929, Singer expanded once again with it�s amalgamation with the Standard Sewing Machine Company.

During the Second World War, Singer (as the other American sewing machine companies) ceased sewing machine production in favor of manufacturing equipment deemed more necessary to the war effort. As a result, this led to a great shortage of sewing machines immediately after the war. By the mid-1950s, however, the market had become flooded with foreign made machines. European models possessed more features than the typical American models. However, the greatest threat came from Japan which dumped millions of cheap clone models on the market, driving all of the other American sewing machine companies out of business. The American manufacturers could not compete with cheap Asian labor and Japanese industries (paid for largely by the American taxpayer as a result of the Marshall Plan).

While smaller American manufacturers including New Home and White struggled and eventually succumbed to the onslaught of the Japanese companies, Singer was able to survive. However, Singer fared little better, with its market share having shrunk from 75% to a mere 25%.

Although the Singer Company still exists, they no longer manufacture sewing machines. After closing their last American factory in the 1980s, the company eventually sold off its sewing machine related assets. Singer is currently an aerospace company which does business mainly with the Department of Defense. The Singer sewing machine brand name is currently owned by the German Pfaff sewing machine company. Today, machines labeled SINGER are generally �badged� models manufactured in Asia by foreign companies.

A number of replica sewing machines have been or are currently being manufactured in Asia and labeled as SINGER machines. These include the Models 15, 20, and 221. They are currently being sold in North America as �vintage reproduction� machines. Collectors should be aware that these machines are of generally inferior quality to antique examples. Moreover, their relatively high prices do not make them a good buy.

The Model 15NL has been made in Taiwan since the early 1980s. An identical machine, the Model 15CH, is currently being manufactured in China. Both are based upon the Japanese HA2-2 class machines, which were copies of the Singer Model 15 manufactured from the late 1940s through 1960s. The machines are available as treadles, electric cabinet models, portable handcranks, and portable electric models.

Although they are mainly exported to developing nations where manually powered sewing machines are still necessary, they have been marketed in the United States as vintage reproductions beginning in the 1980s. However, compared to original Singer machines, the quality and workmanship is not up to par. Some of the machines tend to rattle and vibrate excessively due to the ill-fitting rotary hook mechanism. The electric versions are difficult to use because the machines are incapable of running slowly (which is due partly to the cheap motors that are used as well as the fact that the balance wheel should have a larger diameter to allow the machine to run slower).

The treadle and handcrank powered models are quite good and are capable of sewing a fine quality straight stitch. Unfortunately, the machines feature garish, crude decals (compared to original examples) and are painted with a comparatively thin layer of black enamel. They are decorated in either the Egyptian �Memphis� scheme or 1930s decoration scheme featuring lightning bolts and an eagle in the center of the bedplate.

Replicas of the Model 20 Sewhandy toy sewing machine were manufactured in Turkey in the 1980s. They are generally identical to the original except that they are marked with �MADE IN TURKEY.�

Two copies of the Model 221 Featherweight is also currently in production. One bears an outward similarity in appearance to the Featherweight and is constructed of aluminum as the original, but utilizes a Model 15 class shuttle and bobbin. Reportedly, the quality of the workmanship and the machine�s ability to sew is extremely poor, owing to the fact that they are being made in India.

Another, reportedly of better manufacture, is currently being made in Taiwan. However, the offering price is a rather steep $350-- more than the current going rate for an original example. Fortunately, because most of them are of inferior quality compared to originals, they can be easily distinguished from genuine Singer sewing machines and treadles.

--From The Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines, 3rd Edition

Russian SINGER Trademark (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Singer Trade Card of a female singer (Trade card courtesy of JodisPC)
Serial Numbers and Corresponding Dates of Manufacture (Courtesy of Graham Forsdyke)
Oiling Points on a Singer Treadle Stand
General attachments of Singer Treadle Machine
Instructions for using Singer attachments (Courtesy of Jodi Jason)


Singer Letter "A" - Traverse Shuttle

Singer Letter "A" sewing machine in treadle cabinet (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)
Singer Letter "A" sewing machine, closeup of head (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)

Model 2 - Singer Model 2

1951 Singer ad "The First Party Dress" (Courtesy of Jodi Jason)
Trade Card featuring a Japanese woman using the Singer Model 2 (Courtesy of Jodi Jason)

Model 12 - Singer New Family

Singer New Family sewing machine (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)

Model 13 - Singer Medium Sewing Machine

Beautiful Singer New Family sewing machine (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Wilson)
Wider shot of the New Family machine in its cabinet (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Wilson)

Model 15 - Singer Improved Family

Improved Family Sewing Machine, notice the "fiddle bed"(Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)

Model 15 - Oscillating Shuttle

Cutaway View of Model 15
Mechanism of the Model 15-30
Model 15, manufactured in 1903 (Photo)
1903 Model 15, heavy wear to bed but still a beautiful machine (Photo)
Another photo of the 1903 Model 15 -- notice large balance wheel (Photo)
Close shot of the British Model 15 (Photo)
Overview shot of the British Mod 15-- beautiful Memphis decorations (Photo)
Bobbin Case of "newer" Model 15
Threading diagram for "newer" Model 15
Reproduction Singer Model 15 (Photo)
Portable Model 15 in Betwood Case (Photo)
Portable Model 15, 'Memphis' Decorations (Photo)
Model 15 in bentwood case on a White treadle base (Photo courtesy of Sue McClure)

Model 20 - Singer Sewhandy

Singer Model 20 Sewhandy (From the Net)

Model 24 - Chain Stitch Machine

Threading diagram for the Model 24

Model 27 - Vibrating Shuttle No. 2

Singer Vibrating Shuttle No. 2 (Courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Parts diagram of the Vibrating Shuttle No. 2 (Courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Fiddle-Based Model 27 (Photo)
Another photo of the Model 27 (Photo)
Same Model 27 -- view of face plate (Photo)
Model 27-- identical decorations as early Model 28 machines (Photo)
Singer Vibrating Shuttle No.2 sewing machine (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Another shot of the V.S. No.2-- notice the "fiddle bed" (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Different angle of the V.S. No.2, with attachment box in foreground (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Closeup shot of the sewing machine's arm and emblem (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Overview photo of the Vibrating Shuttle No.2 showing the "fiddle bed" (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Closeup photo of the plain face plate, and bobbin cover plates (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)
Photo of the treadle cabinet with "coffin top" over the machine (Photo courtesy of Katherine Hess)

Model 27 - Vibrating Shuttle

Cutaway View of Model 27 (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Oiling Diagram for the Model 27 (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Oiling Diagram for underside of machine (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Mechanism of the Model 27 (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Singer Model 27 decorated in the rare "Pheasant" scheme
Singer Model 27 Vibrating Shuttle (Photo)
Another shot of the Singer Model 27 (Photo)
Model 27, DOB 1901! -- apparently refinished in 1930s or 40s (Photo)
Another photo of the refinished Model 27 (Photo)
Note simple decal work on the refinished Model 27 (Photo)
Overview shot of the refinished Model 27 (Photo)
Level shot of the refinished 27 (Photo)
Singer Model 27 in Simple Treadle Stand (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)
Engraving of a Model 27 with various parts labeled (Courtesy of Maggie Arlotta)

Model 28 - Vibrating Shuttle No.3

Singer Model 28 hand-crank Sewing Machine (Courtesy of Mary Jo Ordway)

Model 48K - Reciprocating Shutte

Model 48K handcrank sewing machine

Model 66 - Oscillating Hook

Cutaway View of Model 66
Mechanism of the Model 66

Model 66-1

Photo of Singer Model 66-1, Egyptian Decorations (Photo courtesy of R.J. Rosamilia)
Different angle of the Singer Model 66-1 (Photo courtesy of R.J. Rosamilia)
Closer photo of the Model 66-1 (Photo courtesy of R.J. Rosamilia)

Model 66-3 and Model 66-4

Oiling Diagram for the Singer Model 66-3
Girl sewing on a Model 66 Treadle
Singer Model 66-3, 'Red-Eye' decoration scheme (Photo courtesy of G. Bethell)
Singer Model 66 in 7 drawer cabinet (Photo)
Model 66 in 7 drawer cabinet (Engraving)

Modem 66-6

Singer Model 66-6 Sewing Machine

Model 99 - Oscillating Hook

Singer Model 99 (Photo)
Model 99 in betwood case (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Sunderman)
Singer Model 99, DOB 1928 (Photo)
Overview shot of the 99, a 3/4 sized portable machine (Photo)

Model 101 - Rotating Hook

Position of oil cups on the Model 101
Underside of a Singer Model 101
Position of motor on a Singer Model 101

Model 127 - Vibrating Shuttle

Cutaway View of Model 127
Mechanism of the Model 127
Model 127 in 5 drawer treadle stand
Model 127, Memphis decorations (Photo)
Another view of the Model 127 (Photo)
Different angle of the Singer Model 127 (Photo)
Yet another photo of the Singer Model 127 (Photo)

Model 128 - Vibrating Shuttle

Singer Model 128 Sewing Machine (Photo)
Another photo of the Singer Model 128 (Photo)

Model 185 - Oscillating Hook

Singer Model 185J, portable version (Photo courtesy of Sharon Reese)
Carrying case for the Model 185J (Photo courtesy of Sharon Reese)

Model 201 - Rotating Hook

Singer Model 201 in a portable case (Photo courtesy of G. Bethell)

Model 221 - Featherweight

Collection of various Featherweights and Singer toys (Photo courtesy of Sue McClure)
Closer shot of a Model 221 and GE Sewhandy (Photo courtesy of Sue McClure)

Model 301A - "16-pound Portable Machine"

Tan Model 301 with case
Front View, Model 301a (Photo courtesy of Sharon Reese)
Angled View of Model 301a (Photo courtesy of Sharon Reese)
Collection of various Model 301 machines (Photo courtesy of Sue McClure)

Industrial Machines

Cutaway view of Model 31
Singer Machine No.41-12 Multiple Needle
Singer Machine No.71-30 Buttonhole Machine
Machine No.72 w 19 for Hemstitching
Singer Machine No.87-1 (Similar to Model 15)
Cutaway view of Model 95-1


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