Singer 99k
My Singer 99k is yet another machine I purchased from an auction company that imports goods from England. It was manufactured on October 2, 1956 in Clydebank, Scotland. The bentwood case is in very good condition and the machine in excellent condition. It looks like no one ever used it. It was very popular for home sewers because it was a bit lighter in weight than some of the previous models. It 3/4 the size of a model 66 machine. Since it came from over the pond, and has a 220 volt motor, this machine is going to require a converter to use her in the US.
Singer Red-Eye Model 66
My Singer Red-Eye model 66 machine was made on April 29, 1919. I found this pretty machine at an estate sale for a mere $19.00. It came in an after-market plastic case. The decals aren’t perfect, but pretty good. It has a drop in bobbin and is a back clamp machine. Meaning the screw that tightens the foot to the machine is in the back rather than the side. Singer only made the back-clamping machines for a few years in the early 1900’s. I actually found a Singer back-clamping two-thread embroidery attachment for the machine. Regretfully I sold it.
Singer 15-91
My Singer 15-91 machine was manufactured on February 27, 1950 in Elizabeth, NJ. This is the first vintage machine I purchased. It came from EBay. While the machine made it through shipping just fine, the cabinet did not. The seller did not cushion it in any way. Some of the veneer took a beating. I will repair it some day. I had read about how much stronger the gear driven machines are. It is true and it is a wonderful machine. The only thing I don’t like about it is the bobbin case. I love the machines with a drop in bobbin.
Singer Featherweight
My Singer Featherweight was manufactured on 1/7/1941 in Elizabethport, NJ. It was an EBay purchase which made me a little nervous, but it is almost perfect. It only has two tiny flea bites on the front edge. The decals are all perfect. A dear friend of mine gives classes on cleaning and maintaining Featherweights and the cases. I took her class and I must say my machine and case sparkle a bit more now. I actually have 5 other Featherweights in various stages of cleaning, repairs, and re-wiring. When I was a teenager, a friend’s mother had a Featherweight. I had never seen one and I wondered if she could not afford a full-size machine. Little did I know how wonderful and collectable they are.
Singer fiddle-base V.S. 2 Treadle
My Singer fiddle-base V.S. 2 treadle machine was manufactured in 1891 and is my oldest machine. It came in an Eastlake cabinet and with a puzzle box full of attachments. The attachments are a little rusty, but little by little I am going to work on oiling and cleaning them. There is even a buttonholer with a patent date of June 3, 1894. You can tell the machine and attachments were probably cast off in a garage or shed somewhere. The cabinet needs a little repair and a lot of refinishing. I am looking forward to cleaning and restoring this machine. This was also an estate sale find for a whopping $87.00.
Singer Rocketeer model 503A
This Singer Rocketeer model 503A manufactured in 1961 is one of my most recent estate sale finds. It has a few paint chips which I may or may not remedy. It’s a slant- needle machine and sews like a dream. It did not come in the original case and came with no extra feet or attachments. That will give me something else to search for. You know, the thrill of the hunt! My husband almost insisted I buy this machine. He loves the look of the Rocketeer.
201K Singer
My 201K Singer was manufactured on December 12, 1936 in Kilbowie, Scotland. This is another machine I purchased at an auction from a company that imports crates of goods from England. The bentwood case needs a little TLC, but the machine is in near mint condition. I was caught up in the moment and awed by the beauty of this machine and never thought about its 220 volt motor. I will be getting a converter so I can use this machine. The 201 is known to be a workhorse that can easily sew things like multiple layers of leather and thick fabrics such as heavy denim seams with great ease. It has been said it is the best straight-stitch machine ever made. It has a slot for a knee control in the base. However, it didn’t come with the machine. Once again, I will be experiencing the thrill of the hunt for the knee control.
Elna Supermatic
I found this Elna Supermatic at an estate sale. It was manufactured sometime 1958-1963 in Switzerland. I was told that the lady who owned it made square dance costumes for customers on this machine. It is super clean and came with about every foot and cam imaginable. I’m not very familiar with Elna machines, but we are all aware of the the term “Swiss precision.” I can’t wait to use this machine.
Frister & Rossman
I acquired my Frister & Rossman machine at an estate sales. It was manufactured in Germany somewhere between 1896 and 1900 according to my research. It is a beautiful handcrank machine with a beautiful wooden base and top cover. The decals and chrome are not perfect, but it is still a beauty. My husband urged me to buy this machine, as it cost a little more than what I set as a budget for my machine finds. I haven’t cleaned and oiled it yet. so haven’t had the chance to try it out.
Johnson Ruffling
A special friend of mine gave me this Johnson Ruffling machine. I never knew they existed. What a difference this would have made for me when I was sewing interiors. I have not yet had the time to try it out. I took the following information from the JohnsonRufflingMachines.com website
Singer 306 W
I love this machine. It was one of Singers first attempts at a swing needle machine (later called zig-zag.) Some people don’t like it due to a few different features and say it is noisy. Mine is quiet and sews as smooth as can be. Many feel Singer missed the mark with this one. I don’t agree. My machine is much smoother than my 40l, 501, 503.
Pfaff 130 with Coffee Grinder
This machine was an estate sale find. According to ISMACS it was manufactured some time in 1953-1954. It isn’t in perfect shape, but really nice. It has a nice adjustable light. The cover for the light is broken as you can see. Even though it was made in Kaiserslautern, Germany has been wired for US electricity. However, I am having a problem finding the right light bulb for it. This is a wonderful machine. It makes a great stitch and is a smooth running and heavy machine.
White Sewing Machine circa 1929
I found this pretty machine at an estate sale for $10. They didn’t think highly of it because it wasn’t in the correct case. What you see is what I got except for a few bobbins. I cleaned and oiled it. I Because it was sitting so long, the hand wheel made a dent in the rubber wheel that makes the hand wheel turn. When I ran it, there was a thump-thump sound. So I replaced the rubber wheel and it runs smoothly now. I could not resist this beautiful cast iron machine. I am still working on adjusting it. I think this machine is a candidate for one of the beautiful handmade wooden cases I have seen.
Federation Treadle
My Federation treadle machine was manufactured in Britain by the Jones Company. They made sewing machines for the Co-operative Wholesale Society and badged them with different names for various retailers. On the bed of the machine is a pretty logo “CWS” for Co-operative Wholesale Society. The society must be something similar to our Costco, but owned by 8 million members.
Singer 301 Long Bed
My Singer model 301 long bed was manufactured in Anderson, South Carolina in 1951. For their 100th anniversary Singer introduced the first slant needle machine – the 301. The angle of the needle bar makes it easier to see what your are sewing. Some say this is the “big sister” to the Featherweight machine. It’s really not, as they are not much alike. However, like the Featherweight, the 301 is easy to move around and carry to classes. It is made of die cast aluminum and weighs just over 16 pounds.
Singer 66 Godzilla
This is my Singer model 66 Godzilla crinkle-finish machine, manufacture date March 8, 1938 in Elizabeth, NJ. This machine was rescued from going to the dump. A man getting a divorce saw no value in it. My then-husband snatched it up for me. That was in 1981. From 1982 to 1992 I used this machine to sew specialty items for an interior decoration firm. It allowed me to work at home while my son was growing up.
Singer 401A
My Singer 401A was purchased at an estate sale and manufactured in Anderson, SC in 1958. I love this machine! It is the second generation of slant-needle machines meaning the needle bar is slanted so you can see what you are sewing on easier. Unlike its predecessor, it is not just a straight-stitch machine. It has built in stitches plus cams to add more decorative stitches. It is a heavy-duty workhorse. You can use two needles in it, which is another big plus. Even though it is cast aluminum, it is pretty heavy.
Pfaff 30 Treadle
My Pfaff model 30 treadle machine was made in 1955 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It was an estate sale find and came in a very pretty parlor cabinet. It came with only a couple of feet. Since it is purely a straight-stitch machine, that is fine with me. However, I probably have feet that will fit it and just don’t know it. A friend has brought me and relatives have sent me attachments from Germany.
Singer Phoenix Class 15
This Class 15 Singer machine sports the beautiful and fully-intact Phoenix design decals. It was manufactured in Elizabeth, NJ on September 1, 1937. It is waiting for a good cleaning and rewiring. I found this machine at an estate sale. Even more exciting than the machine and it’s cabinet (which needs refinishing), it came with a Singer Fashion Aids attachment case full of attachments.
Singer Electric Sew Handy
I found my British electric Sewhandy model 50D on a road trip passing through Schulenburg, TX at an antique store. Everything Singer jumps out at me. It is in great condition and works. You turn the knob on the right of the machine to turn the motor off and on. There is a lever that you push upwards to sew and downwards to stop. It makes a chain stitch just like my other Sewhandy. I hope the little girl who owned it enjoyed many hours of playful sewing.
Singer Black Sew Handy
Singer toy machines first appeared in the 1920’s as a Singer model 20. In the 1950’s they changed the design and they were then named the Sew Handy. They came in different colors. My sister and I got one for Christmas in the 50’s that is beige crinkle paint. I found this black one at an estate sale minus the clamp that holds it onto a table. Fortunately, a few years later I came across an orphan clamp that was made for this machine.