Identifying Vintage Sewing Machines

My 1907, treadle-operated Singer sewing machine.

Based on the series of questions posed by Sandman Collectibles online Singer identification guide, and based on additional details, I believe its a model 127/128.

The mystery presser foot attachments at left are most likely rufflers, and the one at right is fairly obviously a roll-hem foot.

My 1907, treadle-operated Singer sewing machine.

Several years ago, I was given an antique Singer treadle sewing machine that has been passed down through my family for a few generations. I had no idea when it was manufactured or its model number. Several parts are missing, it's not in great shape, and it's basically non-functional--but it still is a wonderful piece of family memorabilia, and I love having it in my home. My flat screen TV usually lives on top of the Singer cabinet, so I look at it every day. Perhaps someday I'll refurbish it, and when that happens, it will be important to know a little more about the machine.

Thanks to Singer's recent 160th anniversary celebration, I was able to pinpoint my antique machine's model year by entering its serial number into Singer's online database. It's nice to know my sewing machine was manufactured in 1907. But I also wanted to find out the model number--which at first I thought would be a far more difficult proposition. Luckily, a quick search online yielded several resources that helped me narrow down my Singer's model number.

The best and easiest to navigate is Sandman Collectibles' online Singer identification guide. Referring back to your vintage Singer, you answer a series of yes/no questions about your machine's features. Based on your answers, the online form jumps you to more identification questions, until eventually you arrive at one or more possible models. Using this identification form, I narrowed my Singer's model down to 27/28 or 127/128. Based on certain factors, I think it's most likely a model 127/128. Sandman Collectibles also offers many vintage Singer machine user manuals for sale.

Another very helpful resource is blogger Nicholas Rain Noe's "The Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog". Through several blog posts, Nicholas offers guidance through the process of analyzing a machine's features and distinguishing very similar models from each other.

Also worth browsing is the website of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society. The society archives sewing machine manuals, advertisements, and other information and offers many downloadable materials on its website. It also publishes research findings, auction results, and information on restoring vintage machines for an international membership of sewing machine collectors.

Mystery accessories from antique machines can be a little harder to identify, but you can use many of the same resources available for identifying machines. Also, there are many vendors that specialize in original or reproduction parts for antique and vintage machines, and simply comparing your machine's mystery part-like a presser foot-to those available for sale can help you figure out its purpose. I'm fairly sure that the two identical presser feet in the photo are ruffler attachments (I know the third foot is a roll-hem attachment).

Do you own a vintage or antique sewing machine? Is your antique a family heirloom or a yard sale find? Have you identified its model and year of manufacture? Do you have any favorite resources for identifying antique machines and replacing parts?

Stephani Miller, associate editor
Posted on Dec 5th, 2012 in sewing, Singer, antique sewing machine, treadle

Comments (31)

Thaicat6 writes: Hope someone out there can identify this treadle machine I recently acquired. Photo: http://kitQuestions.yolasite.com

Thanks.
Posted: 4:54 pm on March 1st

Thaicat6 writes:
Posted: 4:42 pm on March 1st

LucyJane writes: I bought what I assumed was an old singer sewing machine
and took it to be cleaned etc. Imagine my surprise that it was actually a Macy Sewing Machine. The guy told me it was made by Singer back in the day but was sold by Macy Dept Store
with their logo on it. Works like a champ! It too is very heavy and I use it thick material because my newer machine
has issues with heavy material sometimes.
Posted: 11:45 pm on December 30th

Melinda48 writes: I have my mother in law's Singer Featherweight from 1945, a Willcox and Gibbs treadle, a Singer treadle, and another Singer that is a hand-crank machine. I am also jousting finishing restoring a treadle New Home. Love the oldies!

Posted: 11:02 pm on December 14th

Evelym writes: I have a tredle sewing machine in a cabinet that belonged to my grandmother. It has the manual with it, Minnesota Model"K" Sears, Roebuck and Co. Chicago. I don't think it's in working condition, needs a belt at least. Other machines I've had, 1963 Singer portable, still have but doubt it works, a 1966? Touch and Sew from a garage sale. I loved that machine until there was a problem and the repair person said couldn't get the part and the plastic part he used made it sound like a thrashing machine. :-(. My husband bought me a Bernina several years ago and I LOVE my Bernina. Also own a serger.
Posted: 12:32 pm on December 13th

SLMiller writes: cloff: Thank you for clearing that up for me!
Posted: 9:47 am on December 13th

Donaldeen writes: I wondered if you have seen the old sewing book, I think it is a Singer book which shows how to do all sorts of fancy stitches on the treadle machine? It shows how to zigzag stitch with the needle stationary and the sewer moving her hand to form the stitches. All sorts of techniques. Yes, I have several treadle machines. When I was a teenager going to take home ec. I lied to the teacher and told her I could sew on the treadle machine..then had to go home and get my mother to teach me to do it.
Posted: 1:24 am on December 13th

Cherryrob writes: That's my machine too! Inherited from my mother, who received it as a gift from my father (bought second-hand) shortly after they were married in 1948. I learned to sew on it as a child and teenager, and it came back to me in 2005. I checked the serial number too, and mine is from 1908. It is still in good working order, and I use it about once a year for nostalgia's sake. I have most of the original attachments too.

Posted: 5:53 pm on December 12th

cloff writes: Stephani -

That is a 27/28 you have (assuming that is a picture of your machine). You can tell the difference by looking where the bobbin winder is placed. If it is lower, near the bottom, as yours is, it is the 27/28. If it is up by the wheel, it is a 127/128.

Christine
Posted: 4:32 pm on December 12th

cloff writes: I have a Singer 127/128 that was rescued from a fire. I restored the machine and it sews wonderfully. My husband restored the cabinet so you would never know it was ever in a fire. Fortunately, only the cabinet was damaged, mostly by water. The machine itself had no rust and had all its parts. However, the bobbin winding mechanism has broken, and I'm replacing it with found parts.

One thing I have found is that the new modern "long bobbins" they sell don't fit these old machines very well. They seem slightly too short or something. So you've got to have actual old bobbins to make them work, if you have an old machine that takes long bobbins. But you can use round bobbins in the "newer old" machines that take those -- new ones from the store work just fine!
Posted: 4:26 pm on December 12th

mimi310 writes: I have two vintage machines. One is a treadle that belonged to my great-grandmother. It is fully functional. I recently had it cleaned and gave the cabinet a good oiling. The machine sews like a dream. I have another Singer that belonged to my grandmother. It was originally a treadle; however my grandma bought a motor and installed it on the machine herself. It is the machine that I learned to sew with. My grandma gifted it to me in 1967, and I used it for 20 years. It is still functional.
Posted: 4:01 pm on December 12th

SLMiller writes: Agapantha: Thanks so much for the link--very interesting and helpful website! I encourage you to locate the serial number on your Singer and go to the Singer anniversary website to find its date of manufacture. You'll be able to download a certificate to authenticate its age. Not that that increases its value in the least...But it's fun!
Posted: 12:11 pm on December 12th

davinci25 writes: I own two treadle machines. One was my grandmothers, that my aunt who had kept it in her basement for years, finally gave it to me. She did not sew. The other I purchased many years ago at a Singer Store, for $1.00. I made many things on my machined. It is a Bullet Bobbin style.
I found one web site where I was able to purchase items for both. http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com. They carry parts for many machines. I also have my mothers Kenmore drop-in-cam electric. I still use, can get parts, and it runs like a champ. There are other websites where you might be able to compare with a picture. Good luck, and enjoy your machine.
Posted: 11:44 am on December 12th

kapnoel writes: My grandmother (92) has a German vintage sewing machine and still sews on it. She inherited this machine from her mother in law in 1942 and this great grand mother has been sewing with it for years. The machine is in good shape, absolutely reliable and still in use. Two summers ago, we went to camp in Greece in a wonderful place in the woods where there was no electricity. Since holidays without sewing are no holidays at all for me, I borrowed this machine from my grandmother to sew a dress for a daughter who was in a summercamp nearby. I gave it to her as a present and it was her favorite dress that summer.

I was amazed how heavy and reliable the machine was. It only did a straight stitch, but it was perfect!
Posted: 10:53 am on December 12th

sewold writes: Great resources. I bought a Davis treadle machine at auction many years ago, because that was my maiden name. Unfortunately, a key part is missing. Even though I acquired several boxes of parts at the same time, they didn't have the right part. There were several Wheeler & Wilson parts. I later sold those boxes but kept the machine. I use the extension table for my serger so I can enjoy the machine. It also had the original sale bill in the drawer with the serial number.
Posted: 10:00 am on December 12th

babybarbara writes: My Singer treadle is similar to the one pictured in the article. The cabinet appears to be the same but there are slight diffences in the sewing head. The cabinet drawers have some fancy curlicues on the front. My grandmother, the sewer in the family, made many of my clothes on that machine. She taught me to sew on the treadle and I used it for all of my sewing until I was in my 20's when I purchased an electric machine.

I started sewing at age 8 and am now 79. The old treadle still works, although it is cranky sometimes (just like me).
Posted: 9:49 am on December 12th

user-1109150 writes: I have a sewing machine that belonged to my DH grandmother. It is a Steinway Grand - possibly a badged Damascus. It was built about 1910 - possibly earlier or later - I can't seem to find out much about it. It still works, though it is in bad need of a thorough cleaning and oiling, to put it mildly. Here's a link to the pictures of the machine.
https://picasaweb.google.com/106901717808660735440/CAMERA0102#

If anyone has any information about this machine, I'd really like to find out more. I do know that it was sold by the Homer Young Company, but the manufacturer is still somewhat of a mystery.

My mother had a Singer treadle that she used until about 1954 when she bought a new Singer 201-2, an electric that she used until her death several years ago. I currently own the machine and it is in need of new wiring, but otherwise in great condition. I have the buttonhole attachment for it, plus the bottonhole attachment and hemstitcher attachment that fit the Singer treadle. The hemstitcher also works on the 201-2. I remember my Mother sewing on that old treadle and wish I had it today.
Posted: 5:39 am on December 12th

user-2014905 writes: My mother bought a Singer Featherweight in the late 40's. She thinks she paid $90 for it, a lot of money at the time. She taught herself to sew and became a home economics teacher. She taught me to sew on it in the 1960's when I was a child. I took it to college with me and sewed in my free time. My daughter learned on it and she has it now. I recently found a slightly newer version at a sewing machine store and bought it. They are such great and reliable machines.

Posted: 5:24 am on December 12th

user-867749 writes: I have my grandmothers 1945 treadle sewing maching complete
with all the attachments it came with AND the instruction
book. I have used it many times on stuff like making a yert
(look it up on the internet) and a shade tent just to name 2.
I also have a nonworking 1901 machine that I bought before my grandmother died that I will have fixed next year. my granddaughter will inheret my grandmothers machine, she is 9 and has an interest in all fiber related unlike my daughter.
Posted: 10:13 pm on December 11th

user-2046226 writes: I have a fabulous "old lady" antique Singer 72w 119 desirable hemstitch machine that desperately needs someone to care for her since we are moving house out of state. I acquired her in the 1970's after a long, long search; she was shipped from Freemont, Nebraska, all the way to Maryland and you can't imagine my excitement when she arrived in a tractor trailer! She has a treadle and was fitted with a motor somewhere along the way - she does need a little timing work but I'd love someone to have her that appreciates her the way I did/do and would get a thrill of owning her. Let me know if you can pick her up in Maryland.
Posted: 8:45 pm on December 11th

lvislief writes: I have a Singer treadle machine that is about 1934 that my husband bought for me for my birthday in 1999. It was one of two machines that had been in the Eaton's department store basement alterations shop in Winnipeg. It was put up for sale when the store closed after the chain went bankrupt. They had put it on the second floor where the downtown walk way passed through the store with a "For Sale" sign after the rest of the store merchandise had already been cleared out. It was missing a few parts, including the belt, but I was able to get replacements from the Singer dealer in Winnipeg at that time. It sits in my living room with some knick-knacks on top of it, but it is functional. I figure if the power ever goes out, I will still have a machine to sew on!
Posted: 8:19 pm on December 11th

Moonchaser writes: I have a Singer Featherweight that I bought used in about 1964. I got it with money from a summer job while I was in college. I'm not sure how old it is, I did look up the serial number on the Singer site, but it was long enough ago that I don't remember when it was manufactured.

I still use it for quilting, it is real handy and sews beautifully.

Posted: 7:46 pm on December 11th

KathiDee writes: Yes, vintage & antique sewing machines are fun to collect. I have a modest collection of about 14. Many people have many more. For anyone wishing to learn how to refurbish their own machine, start at www.treadleon.net. That's a website with loads of info & also where you can sign up to an email discussion group to learn more. There are also several groups on yahoo you can join, some for any make & some specific to a single make. I have my great-grandmother's White Family Rotary treadle from 1911, my husband's grandmother's 1925 Singer 66 treadle & a friend's great grandmother's 1905 Singer 15-30 as well as my husband's mother's 1948 Singer 201-2 (electric), a couple vintage Necchi machines, a Singer 99 converted to handcrank, a vintage Singer 301a (electric), a few heads hanging around waiting for me to do something with them and my "modern" machine a 1989 Viking 948 that sees very little use now. My treadles & the 201 do most of my sewing.

Posted: 7:13 pm on December 11th

DaleAKetch writes: When I was a child, my mother gave me her Singer. She's now 95, and learned to sew on it as a child. It's tiny, about 8" wide and clamps onto a table. It still sews a good chain stitch, and Mum remembers as a bride, sewing her first pair of drapes on it.
Posted: 7:10 pm on December 11th

agapantha writes: I am such a dimwit. Here is the link:http://www.doubleveil.net/zssmp/
Posted: 7:02 pm on December 11th

agapantha writes: The machine in the picture is exactly, precisely the machine I inherited from my grandmother! How cool to see it online. I learned to sew on it and my grandmother made my sister and me dozens of dresses on it. It is still operational though it needs to be cleaned. There are a pile of attachments that go with it but I've never used them. We also have my husband's grandmother's treadle, a New Automatic, age unknown but still operational. Most of the time we use them as tables but occasionally we still sew on one.

My mother in law used to tell a story about watching her mother sew on the New Automatic. Great granma was making a wedding veil when someone brought in a torn canvas off the tractor. She changed needles and thread, sewed up the canvas, changed back to the other needle and thread and completed the veil- not a single other adjustment was needed.

I have a 1940s Singer than belonged to my mother; it has a knee control rather than a foot control. I have my Singer from the late 1960s and my darling Janome that I splurged and bought for myself several years ago. There are at least a couple other portables around the attic and neither my husband nor I have any idea where they came from.

Is it permissible to post a link here? This page is owned by Zorba, a collector and restorer. Ever heard of "hot rodding" sewing machines?
Posted: 6:59 pm on December 11th

CARIAD writes: I ACQUIRED MY MOTHERS SINGER HAND MACHINE ADDING TO MY COLLECTION ! THINKING IT WOULD POSSIBLY COME INTO ITS OWN ONE DAY.
THE DAY ARRIVED...THE AWNING ON OUR BOAT NEEDED AN URGENT REPAIR AND WITH NO ELECTRICITY AT THE RIVER BANK THE ONLY OPTION WAS THE HAND MACHINE.

PICTURE A BEAUTIFUL ENGLISH SUMMERS DAY.........RIVER AVON...
ME SAT UNDER A TREE REPAIRING THE AWNING,ALL WENT VERY WELL...UNFORTUNATELY EVERY BOAT THAT PASSED WANTED TO KNOW IF I WAS IN 'THE REPAIR BUSINESS '

NEEDLESS TO SAY THE MACHINE WENT BACK INTO THE BOOT OF THE CAR AT SPEED !!!!!

Posted: 6:47 pm on December 11th

bubbecraft writes: Hmmm. I have an older machine in a cabinet that was given to me. Don't recall what it is, other than you have to hand crank it! It has a lot of accessory parts and I haven't a clue what most of them are for. It works fine.

On a more prosaic note, I have my grandmother's early 1940's Pfaff with the original cabinet. My granddaughter is learning to sew on it.

I have an early or mid-1930's Singer, also in a cabinet, and my granddaughter's friend has been learning to sew on it.

I also have 2 old portable machines I found in my mother's garage after she passed away. I only opened them once and don't recall what they are nor do I know if they even work! One of these days ....
Posted: 6:37 pm on December 11th

Soucieville writes: I have a Singer from the 1920's. It has a straight stitch only, but would stitch through sheet metal. It was a tredel machine, but Grandpa had it "electrified" in 1932 for my Mother. It still works. I have an older Sears machine, Mom bought it in the mid 1950's. It is of metal construction and is as heavy as a concrete block. It has decorative cogs, they drop into the top of the machine and do the embroidery perfectly. I need to get it cleaned, checked out, but when Mom stopped using it in 1992, it was working just fine. My machine is a Viking. I bought it in 1978, all metal construction with a free arm feature. It also is as heavy as a concrete block. It is one of the best machines I have ever used and I don't think I will ever replace it. As long as it likes me, I will treasure it.
Posted: 6:34 pm on December 11th

Serral writes: Great resources!

I have my husband's grandmother's machine and a machine left in a house we rented. A client recently gave me her older Pfaff.

I confess I prefer the non computerized machines ( i don't create decorative embroideriy ) and the lack of plastic components. I guess I am " old school".
Posted: 6:04 am on December 7th

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