HOW MUCH IS A SINGER SEWING MACHINE WORTH
How much is a singer sewing machine worth .First sold in 1850 and still popular today, Singer sewing machines have a long and very vibrant history. Isaac Merritt Singer founded I.M. Singer and Co. in 1850. Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the first home sewing machine. Singer designed and patented excellent modifications of the accepted design. But it was his business model that made the company successful.
What did he do so differently? He launched the first popular installment plan for his machines. This made sewing machines accessible to the common man. Previously, only factories and companies owned sewing machines.
Singer also advocated the need for a sewing machine in every home. Over the years, the company has continued to develop more accessible and portable models. The company also used a massive door-to-door sales campaign and frequent model updates to keep customers buying new models.
The singer took up the radical business model at the right time. Innovations in sewing machines and the Industrial Revolution reached their peak in the mid-19th century. You may also be interested to know that Isaac Merritt Singer’s personal life was just as flamboyant as his business ideas.
MODELS OF SINGER SEWING MACHINES HOW MUCH IS A SINGER SEWING MACHINE
Popular antique models
This covers a wide time span and hundreds of different Singer models. During this era, the company continuously delivered machines with new and improved designs.
For example, in 1885 Singer sold the first vibrating shuttle. In 1889, they produced the first functional electric sewing machine.
It is surprisingly difficult to find a complete list of Singer sewing machine models. But of all the many models sold during this time, the Turtleback and basic Fiddle stand out from the crowd.
Why do Singer machines have such cute nicknames? The names seem to have evolved organically over time. This often follows from the appearance of the machine. For example, on the “Violin Base” there is a beautiful metal plate in the shape of a violin that holds it on a wooden case.
- The basis of the violin
The Singer 12, also called the Fiddle base, had a longer run and lives on as a prized antique! It was the first reliable binding sewing machine on the market and could sew multiple layers of fabric. At the time, these innovations stunned the world. This model was sold from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the 19th century.
Like the Turtleback model, the basic Fiddle remains in high demand in the antique community. However, they are easier to find today as thousands of models have been sold over the years. Despite their age, you can still find basic Fiddle models in working order today. They have a durable metal construction and a great design.
- Popular Vintage models
From 1900 to 1960, the Singer Company produced hundreds of models of sewing machines. Today we consider these models to be vintage. Vintage Singer models are almost always characterized by solid metal interiors, rugged construction and reliability. If you’ve owned a vintage model, you can probably verify that it runs forever. While many vintage Singer sewing machines are very popular today, the Singer 221, 401a, and 66 stand out as perhaps the most famous of the vintage models.
- Feather weight
The Singer Company’s biggest success in the early 20th century was Featherweight. More technically named Model 221; Featherweight has once again stunned the world with its innovation. This model was made of cast aluminum instead of the heavy cast steel used previously and weighed only eleven pounds!
Featherweight also has several other unique features. It has a bed extension that hinges and flips out, allowing easy access to the coil housing. It also has a distinctive light placement that helps distinguish it from later models such as the Singer 66. This success was quickly followed by the 222K – the same model produced and sold at the Singer factory in Scotland. 222K is so popular today that it has earned another nickname, “the queen of singers!”
If you are lucky enough to track down a feather, hang in there! These beauties may be old, but they often run like magic. Quilters love these models because they are easy to quilt with thick fabric that modern machines cannot quilt. Additionally, Featherweights today usually command a decent price due to their collectability.
- Slant-O-Mastic
Let’s go a little further and look at models from the 1950s. 401a and 403a remain popular today due to their strong steel components and their ability to meander.
The 401a, called Slant-O-Mastic, is known for its slanted needle that allows easier access to the stitch plate and presser foot. This machine also has internal discs called cams. Cams redirected the needle and presser foot to allow for different stitch patterns.
Today you will probably appreciate the 401a and 403a mainly because they are rock solid and will last forever. If you love vintage sewing machines, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better model than the 403a. It remains popular both for actual use and for its collectability today.
HOW OLD IS A SINGER SEWING MACHINE – WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A SINGER SEWING MACHINE
How much is a singer sewing machine worth .You can find this number in several places. Singer also has a great website with tips to help you figure out the model number if you need more help.
Depending on the year of manufacture, you can usually find model numbers in one of the following places on your machine:
- Under the hand wheel
- On the front panel above the needle
- Under stitch length control
- On a small metal tag on the front of the machine
Once you find the model number, you can conveniently enter it into the search box on the Singer website for sewing instructions and lots of useful information. Alternatively, you can also Google the model number to see what year this model was made.
SINGER SEWING MACHINE SERIAL NUMBERS AND VALUE
How much is a singer sewing machine worth. Sometimes you will find these numbers in the same place. For example, older machines usually have these numbers written on a small metal plate on the front of the machine. In general, the value of antique and vintage sewing machines depends on the year of manufacture, the rarity of the machine and its condition.
Collectible machines like the Turtleback can occasionally sell for over $1,000, but even collectible antique sewing machines are usually in the $500-$1,500 range. The model, whose production was limited, often ends up as a collector’s item due to its rarity. This is what makes Turtleback so valuable today.
On the other hand, the condition of the machine also depends a lot. Antique dealers have a rating system for judging the appearance and functional condition of sewing machines. A machine in like-new condition will cost more than a rusted mess pulled out of someone’s garage.
MODERN MODELS OF OIF SINGER SEWING MACHINES
How much is a singer sewing machine worth .Today, almost every sewing machine for sale is equipped with a computer! Contemporary Singer machines are usually considered mid-range, ideal for home sewers, but perhaps not on the same level as Janome or Bernina machines for the professional seamstress.
If you sew a few hours a week, mostly just for fun, Singer models offer the quality and affordability you need! On the other hand, if you run an Etsy business and sew all day, you may need a machine that can handle that amount of sewing. Singer offers several models ideal especially for beginning sewers.
CONCLUSION
How much is a singer sewing machine worth .The Singer Company dominated the sewing machine market for a century, from 1850 to 1950. Collectible antique models from the company’s early years include the Turtleback and Featherweight. You can easily determine the average value of your sewing machine by looking up its model number and searching eBay or Etsy to see what other sellers have priced the model at. Singer remained one of the largest sellers of sewing machines in the world. Singer continues to sell popular machines today.
