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How to Identify Singer Treadle Machines

The inventor of the first working sewing machine was almost killed by French tailors for his troubles. In 1832 French tailors looked upon the machine as a threat to their workmanship and business. In America, Elias Howe and Isaac Singer battled out in court to figure out who had the rightful patent for the first fully automatic sewing machine. Elias Howe won in 1854 and Singer had to pay royalties to Howe. Singer went on to found the most successful sewing machine business in history and it is still booming. Identifying older models of Singer's treadle sewing machines could turn a piece from your attic into a financial windfall.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for a model number on the machine. Before 1955 Singer sewing machines had no model numbers on the machines. After 1955 the numbers are on the front or base of the models.
- 2
  Find the way the machine is powered. If there is an electrical powering device, it is not a treadle-powered machine. A treadle-powered machine is powered by the user's foot or feet using the treadle.
- 3
  Look at the material from which the machine is made. There should be no plastic or acrylic on or inside the machine. Singer treadle machines were 100 percent metal.
- 4
  Look for the name of the company, Singer, printed in gold on a black background. Some had other dark colors behind the lettering, but the word Singer was always printed in gold letters.
- 5
  Look at the needle and test it. If it goes horizontally it is not a Singer because all Singer treadles had a vertical or an up and down working mechanism.
- 6
  Join the International Sewing Machine Collectors Society and ask them for help identifying the treadle machine you own or wish to purchase.

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