Singer “New Family” Sewing Machine (1885)
This 1885 “New Home” Singer Sewing Machine was our first significant antique. When we first found it, we could not bring ourselves to pay the $100 asking price. Looking back I can’t believe we got it.
I Love Mid-19th Century Technology
The Singer Manufacturing Company was one of the first to make a practical sewing machine. They were not the first. They were the first to get it right. But as an early piece you can see the evolution from a weaving hand stitching concept to a modern sewing machine.
I think this evolutionary process is no more evident than on the bobbin design. Imagine your experience is with weaving and hand stitching. How could you make a mechanism that would allow you to pierce the material like hand stitching but catch he loop on the other side like weaving? Singer’s approach appears to take a weaver’s shuttle and put a spool in it for self-feeding. This was such a revolutionary concept that the mechanism is prominently displayed on their logo!
Durability
OMG. This machine is over 130 years old and it is completely functional today. The only thing missing is muscle. Good grief. You would not want to arm wrestle you great, great, great grandmother. She could rip your arm off and beat you with it after using this machine for a few years.
I also have a thing for finding pieces with original white gum rubber parts. At this period in time there were no synthetic materials. The rubber wheel used to turn the bobbin winder has the original natural rubber piece. It barely works due to shrinking and hardening, but it is still there and kicking.
Honest Ware
I LOVE to see machinery with honest wear. Parts of the gold gilding have been worn off by the owner’s hand moving across the pieces. Changing thread. Pulling the bobbin. Moving material across the banjo base. This piece was obviously loved and used.
What is it worth?
Depends on how big a hole you put in your britches and where you are at the time.
