To identify and date your sewing machine, look up the serial number on a chart like the free one in this article. Related Articles. Antique Singer Sewing Machine Value; History of Treadle Sewing Machines; Finding Antique Sewing Machine Parts; If you need help.

• Antique Singer Sewing Machine Table Serial Number
• Singer Sewing Serial Number Database
• Singer Treadle Sewing Machine Serial Number Location

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?

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 it's 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.

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Although they are often found at garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales with very low price tags, there are several models of antique Singer sewing machines that are highly sought after by collectors. These beautiful pieces of sewing history are popular with antiques collectors and sewing enthusiasts alike.

Identifying Antique Singer Sewing Machines

Because of the many technological changes Singer introduced over the years, examining the serial number on any Singer will reveal the time period in which the machine was produced. To identify and date your sewing machine, look up the serial number on a chart like the free one in this article.

• Antique Singer Sewing Machine Value
• History of Treadle Sewing Machines
• Finding Antique Sewing Machine Parts

If you need help downloading this printable, check out these helpful tips.

Singer Sewing Machine Company: A Brief History

In the early 1850s, Isaac Merritt Singer inventing the first really practical sewing machine of the times. Instead of a circular shuttle movement and a horizontally angled needle, the Singer machine used a straight needle that worked vertically. This made it comparatively easy to use and inexpensive to produce, and 'Singer' rapidly became a household name in sewing.

Over the following decades, Singer continued developing his improved sewing machine to include the following features:

• A traverse shuttle
• An eye-pointed straight needle
• A presser foot
• An overhanging arm
• A support table
• A slot for a roughened feed wheel
• Gear operation
• Lock stitching

Surging Popularity

By 1863, the Singer Manufacturing Company held 22 patents and sold 20,000 sewing machines yearly. Within eight years, the yearly sales reached 180,000 sewing machines, which included their New Family machines released for sale in 1865.

Introduction of Electric Motors

As the leader of the sewing machine industry, the Singer Company introduced the first practical sewing machine powered by an electrical motor in 1889. Within two years, commercial sewing machines were being sold powered by electric motors. By this time, the company also was producing commercial zigzag sewing machines.

Important Singer Sewing Machines

Singer sewing machines were constantly improved and updated. Since the first machines were produced in the 1950s, thousands were sold to eager consumers. The beautiful cabinets, well-made machines, and practical improvements made Singer sewing machines a must for the average household. In fact, the quality of these early machines is so good that there are still many Singer treadle sewing machines in use today.

1851

The first Singer sewing machine was patented in 1851. It was the first rigid-arm model and included a table to support the cloth. A vertical presser foot kept the cloth in place during the upstroke of the needle. Most importantly, the machine was the first to have a foot pedal instead of a hand crank. These first machines were designed to be set up on the packing crate that they were shipped in.

1856

The Turtleback was the first machine designed for home use. It had a rocking treadle and a driving wheel.

1859

Antique Singer Sewing Machine Table Serial Number

The Letter A machine improved upon the Turtleback. The foot treadle was wider and easier to use.

1865

The New Family machine was released in 1865. This machine had a lockstitch and an adjustable feed. It was black with a gold scroll design on the machine.

1867

Singer made a modification to the New Family machine with its 'Medium' sewing machine, released in 1867. It had more room under the arm, which made it easier for the seamstress to manipulate large amounts of fabric.

1908

The Singer Class 66 model was a treadle machine. Later Class 66 models had a motor and numbered tension dial added. The 66 is easily identified by the 'red eye' decals decorating it.

1921

Singer introduced the model 99 electric sewing machine. It was the first portable electric machine and included a bolted on electric light so that the work was easier to see.

1933

The Featherweight, model 221, was introduced at the Chicago World's Fair. This beautiful machine was black with a scrollwork faceplate and gold decals. It included a chrome-rimmed handwheel and a stitch regulator plate. If you can find one in its original case and with the accessories, it will be worth more than just the machine.

1939

In 1939 Singer introduced the 201 and 201K. These are considered by many collectors to be the best machines that Singer ever produced. The machines sewed seams smoothly, with little vibration

1941-1947

The Singer Blackside was manufactured during the years of World War II. It was called Blackside because all of the parts, including the cover over the light bulb, were painted black.

1949

The Model 95 was introduced in 1949. This machine could produce 4,000 stitches in 60 seconds.

1949

The 301 was the first slant shank and needle machine. It had a vertical, side-loading rotary hook and an aluminum body. While it was similar to the 201, there were some differences as well. The feed dogs drop and it had a marked needle throat plate.

Singer Sewing Serial Number Database

1952

Singer introduced the 206 model. It was the first domestic zigzag sewing machine.

Where to Buy Antique Singers

Singer Treadle Sewing Machine Serial Number Location

Because of their popularity and durability, finding antique Singers is relatively easy. If you're looking for a specific model, you may need to do some extra searching. Depending on the model and condition, Singer sewing machine values can vary dramatically from about $50 to upwards of $500.

Some of the best sources for finding a vintage Singer machine include the following:

• Estate sales
• Auctions
• Flea markets
• Classified ads

Using Antique Singer Sewing Machines

Many of even the oldest Singer sewing machines are still in use because they were made to last. Unlike machines of today, these old machine were made of heavy duty materials and easily replaced parts. If the instruction manual is missing, you can often get another at the Singer website.

Whether you treasure antique Singer sewing machines because they bring back nostalgic memories of years past, are historically significant, or simply beautify your home, you're not alone. Each one, regardless of its commonness or rarity, held a valued place in a home of yesteryear.