Singer was extremely prevalent in the late s, and collectors can appreciate the abundance of many different models that prevailed during that era. Before electric models, either a hand crank or a treadle operated sewing machines.
An antique Singer pedal sewing machine looks like a sewing machine table with the treadle, or foot pedal, that operates the needle. After the advent of electricity, the sewing world underwent a revolution and Singer was the first to introduce an electric sewing machine in An antique electric Singer sewing machine may have the motor strapped to the side, as motors did not become standard to the design until more homes had electricity.
An antique Singer sewing machine is a great addition to any collection and the sellers on eBay are constantly adding inventory so you can find the sewing machine models that your collection lacks. There are a few different types of antique machines that are differentiated from back when they were widely used.
Singer was the most popular brand of sewing machine. They originated in , with a domestic sewing machine. These are also considered mechanical in nature due to the moving parts and age of everything. They also go by the name of a treadle machine. Table-based Sing sewing machines are typically treadle in design which means they are operated with a foot pedal. While these were easy to control your speed and manueverability with your garments, due to the age of these machines, many of the foot pedals were often lost and are hard to find.
Popularized by Singer and although widely distributed, the treadle sewing machine is large and takes up more space. It typically stays in one location and is hard to move. There are two subset categories for mechanical sewing machines: stand based or table based. Stand based machines are simply the sewing machine itself and can easily be transported to wherever you need to do your sewing.
Table based machines are built into a table stand that creates a sewing center with more tabletop space for your work and gear. The antique versions of either of these machines are simple in design and features and can be easily repaired. Common features include a presser foot, bottom loading bobbin, adjustable tension, adjustable stitch length and single stitch. Treadle and hand operated machines usually only have one straight and forward built-in stitch capability.
And then there's collector's value. Most collections have a focus of some kind, whether intentional or not. Some collectors limit their collection to a given manufacturer; in the United States, Singer is unquestionably the most-often collected brand. Some collect only hand-cranked machines, others only treadles. Some collect only very small or toy machines. Some collect only from a specific time period. Some collect machines based on the country of origin. A real "boat anchor" with little potential for restoration may still have value for its parts.
Both collectors and people who sew seek out broken or incomplete machines in order to restore a better example of the same machine which is missing parts.
And there are also folks who convert parts of sewing machines into lamps and cabinets and such; they are looking for parts machines, too. The potential monetary value of a parts machine will be influenced by the value of a good example of the same machine. On a given day, a sewing machine is worth what a particular seller can sell it for to a particular buyer in a particular venue.
Season, geographic region, marketplace, personality, manufacturer, model, rarity, condition, history, completeness -- and the reason the buyer is buying -- all these factors influence monetary value. Value is not fixed, but fluid.
Even so, it's a good thing to consider that relatively few machines today command prices in the hundreds of dollars -- and very, very few will bring thousands. You can always consult a professional appraiser. You'd pay a fee, of course, and there's a significant risk that the fee would be more than the value of the machine. Here are some tips for estimating the current retail value of your machine.
Professional appraisers would bring some of the same resources to this task. You can learn an approximate retail value for your machine by investing a little time in research. If you actually want to sell it at that price, you'll probably then have to invest a lot more time in marketing. Multiply by at least 2. Note the sticker price. Then ask the dealer how many years and months the machine has been sitting there with that price on it. Halve the dealer's price for every three months it has sat unsold.
Don't misspell "sewing machine". If your auction attracts bids, you'll soon know what it's worth at that time in that venue to those bidders.
Bookmark the auction pages and go back and see what the final selling price is, assuming the machines actually sell and any reserve is met.
How does your machine really compare with the sold machine? Be critical! Could you take pictures as well as the dealer who sold on eBay? Could you write as good a description? Are you willing to put in the time taking those pictures, writing that description, doing the accounting, and packaging this machine for safe shipment? If not, divide the eBay price by four and go back to your antique dealer with a printout of the auction page and a counter-offer.
If it has been handed down through several generations, then the value remains priceless. If, however, you have purchased a machine or are interested in selling one, consider some of the following information before taking it to an appraiser. Is It Really an Antique? First, know that a sewing machine is considered an antique if it was crafted more than years ago. Newer machines are considered vintage, but they can still be extremely valuable on the collectibles market.
To find out when your machine was built, call Singer toll-free at or visit this comprehensive list of serial numbers for Singer machines. Singer can use this information to tell you the year your machine was produced. What Is Its Condition? Next, take a good hard look at the condition of the machine. According to Sewing Machine Repair Tips, condition can have a dramatic effect on value.
You machine will fall into one of these categories:. All decals are present and undamaged. Very good — This machine shows some signs of gentle use, but it is functional and attractive. There may be a few medium-sized scratches and needle marks. There should be no rust, and all parts must be present. Good — Many antique Singers fall into this category. They may be a little rust and a few missing accessories. All major parts should be present, and the machine should function well.
Fair — This machine shows significant wear, including worn or very damaged paint, some rust, and many missing accessories.
The machine still functions. Poor — This machine is non-functional and very worn. It may not be repairable and may be good for machine parts only. How Desirable Is This Model? The next factor is the desirability of the machine.
How popular is it among collectors? Just because a machine is old does not make it a valuable antique. Very desirable antique Singer sewing machines will have some detail that attracts the collector. It may be the design, a unique color, certain stenciling, or any number of other factors. The following models or time period will add to the value of your machine:.
Early Models — Early Singer machines were mounted on stands, had only one pedal, and had lock-stitch vibrating shuttles. Pre the Singer Model 1 and Singer Model 2 were large and primitive looking. After these first two models came the Singer Turtleback and the Letter A model, which were both much more refined.
Singer and Featherweight — One of the most sought after Singer machines is the and Featherweight, which are still popular with quilters, craftspeople, and seamstresses. While only a vintage machine, built in the s — s, they still work well and are a testament to the quality of the Singer product. Chrome was in such high demand during the wars that they began to make the chrome parts, including the face plate, presser foot, bobbins, chrome thumbscrew and some attachments, out of black metal.
Is the Machine Complete? This can greatly reduce the value. Where Is It Located? Certain machines are just more popular among collectors in certain areas. The best way to find out what your machine is worth in your area is to talk to local collectors and appraisers. They will have an idea of what the various Singer sewing machines are selling for in your area. Does It Have Historical Value? Most sewing machines on the collectible market today will not have any real historical value.
The machines that get sold for thousands of dollars are generally rare items that belonged to an important historical figure or were significant in sewing machine history.
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