Posted 3 years ago
almostused
(1 item)
Just picked this up today, serial number starts 1091, what is the best way to clean and restore it, it works and as far as we can tell all the parts are there, it came with a small box of tools. And I believe it has the apple blossom decal. Can anyone tell me about it. Thanks
take your time, mark the pieces and careful work
Hi, almostused. :-)
I can't quite make out all of that serial number, either. We'll go with 1091xxxx for now, which would put it into this group:
*snip*
10,630,000 11,338,999 1892
*snip*
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-no-prefix-serial-numbers.html
I can tell from a few tell-tale features (the trapezoidal access panel, the circular needle plate, and the dual slide plates) that your machine belongs to the VS1, VS2, VS3, 27, 28, 127 and 128 family of Singer machines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Singer.Model27.IdentificationGuide.jpg
However, anybody who didn't know that up front could have used Sandman-Collectibles' Singer Sewing Machine Identification Template to identify a fairly impressive number of Singer domestic models:
https://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm
https://www.sandman-collectibles.com/id-singer-machines.htm#15
Given the serial number and the rectangular bed, it's probably a model 27 (the only real difference between a model 27 and a model 28 is that the model 28 is a three-quarters size version of the model 27).
About the VS1, VS2, VS3, 27, 28, 127 and 128 family:
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/28
Here's a manual for models 27 and 28:
https://res.cloudinary.com/singer-sewing/image/upload/fl_attachment/Singer-Website-Library/outdated_product/268_27_28.pdf
Unfortunately, neither ISMACS nor the UK site singersewinginfo has a picture of a cabinet looks just like yours (a coffin top extension leaf table with 6-7 drawers):
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/tables
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/extlf_cab.html
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_sewing_machine_cabinets.html
CW user corlando's cabinet is indeed pretty close:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/76502-singer-1893-sewing-machine-i-think-it-i
And yes, the decal set looks like what is commonly called "Apple Blossom":
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/decals/decal37
You wrote that you have a box of attachments. Does the box look like one of these?:
http://needlebar.org/main/puzzles/index.html
Those puzzle boxes are very cool. Here's the 1889 patent for it:
https://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=00397980&IDKey=EFAFEAA384AA%0D%0A&HomeUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fpatimg.htm
Anyway, lets get you started with some basic advice on cleaning and restoration.
http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/cleaningmachines/cleaningmachines.html
RichmondLori's advice about taking your time and labeling things is very wise.
In the process of researching another recent CW S&T post, I ran across a fantastic picture of a vintage sewing machine that had been completely disassembled for cleaning and restoration:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPc-alGNbA0/W_rtYbkYgeI/AAAAAAAAFEo/753N8SvCIzc4PrDBdLKC7D2MFewKiHb2wCLcBGAs/s1600/Parts%2BSpread%2B1000px.JPG
https://www.stillstitching.com/2018/11/wheeler-wilson-marketing-powerhouse.html
I'm not suggesting that you go to that particular extreme, but perhaps taking a few pictures along the way wouldn't be a bad idea.
Here's a post of a collection of vintage sewing machine links that I've found helpful over the last couple of years:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/285089-vintage-sewing-machine-help
I know it looks like a lot to sort through, and even if you did, it wouldn't necessarily address all of your needs, so don't hesitate simply to ask a question right here.
I'm not actually an expert, but even if I can't answer your question right off the top of my head, I'll go surfing the Internet to see what I can find. :-)
Here's a better copy of the user manual for the Singer model 27, dated September 16th, 1897:
https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/0673/index.htm
Also, a parts price list for what's called the "V.S. No. 2," dated December 26th, 1893. It has a rectangular bed, so I think there was just a bit of wobble room in the transition to the name "Model 27::
https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/1772/index.htm
Obviously, what those parts cost in 1893 isn't too important to your task, but pictures of the individual parts and their names? Priceless.
I don't know what shape the leather belt on your machine is in, but they tend to wear out before anything else on vintage sewing machines does. Fortunately, replacements are readily available:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/singer-model-66/products/treadle-sewing-machine-leather-belt-3-16-x-72-part-p60013
Advice on fitting a replacement belt from expert Mel:
https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2017/03/replacing-treadle-sewing-machine-belts.html
Also, more advice on cleaning and restoration:
http://ismacs.net/sewing_machine_articles/a_tricky_woodwork_restoration.html
https://tashamillergriffith.com/2015/11/22/satisfaction-restoring-a-treadle-cabinet/
Here are some pictures of a similar cabinet (except that it has five drawers instead of seven):
*snip*
"Eastlake" is a particular style of Victorian decoration. At least where houses are concerned, it's also called "Stick". This one is a coffin top, but there are others that are hideaway.
*snip*
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spidra/albums/72157603792642203
The "hideaway" reference is to cabinets designed to accommodate a "drop head" arrangement where the machine head can be lowered below the working surface, and the hinged leaf swung into place on top, leaving no trace of the sewing machine, thereby freeing the top of the cabinet for other uses:
https://medium.com/@historyofthings/an-early-history-of-the-domestic-sewing-machine-721adf38de1c