The Singer 66 was the first mass produced sewing machine, in my opinion, that produced a near perfect stitch. When sewing well the 66 will out-sew nearly any modern machine through a huge variety of fabrics from linen to lace, horse blankets to buckram. It is simply near perfect engineering but this came at a price. A Singer 66 was one of the most expensive sewing machines on the market costing several months wages.
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 1-800-474-6437 or visit this comprehensive list of serial numbers for Singer machines. Have the machine's serial number handy. How to Identify a Singer Sewing Machine by the Serial Number. If you one of the lucky people that own or inherited an old, antique Singer sewing machine, you may want to know how old it is and how much it is worth!! Singer sewing machines were first manufactured in 1851, so if you have an older model, you may have a collector’s item on your hand.
Now let me explain, in 1916 a basic Singer 66k was £7,10s. Doesn't sound much until you find that many people were earning less that a pound a week. Suddenly the machine cost nearly two months wages, in today's terms, a fortune.
Most sewers would opt for the Singer 17 or 27 or another make or even its smaller twin, the Singer 99 at £6.10, but for those professional sewers who wanted more foot clearance and space the Singer 66 was the queen. Expensive but simply the best on the market at the time.
The Singer 66 red-eye. Circa 1937
Built like a watch in the largest sewing machine factory in the world
The 66 arrived after nearly half a century of improvements and developments. The mass produced machine was introduced to the world after it first came off the production line in America in late October of 1902. After its success abroad the factory at Kilbowie, Scotland, was re-tooled and in 1907 the first all British Singer model 66 sewing machines hit the market.
The 66 used the smooth oscillating hook. The hook mounted horizontally allowed the bobbin to be simply dropped into the machine. The simplicity of threading and perfection of stitch made the 66 an instant best seller. The high-arm clearance and sewing ability was second to none. As the advert said, Built like a watch in the largest sewing factory in the world.
For those who could not afford to buy the machine outright Singer had perfected their hire purchase system of part payments that they had introduced back in the 1850's. You could buy your machine in monthly instalments at a price to suit your pocket and pay for it from one year to 20 years.
Skyrim better looking bandits. A machine for the 20th Century the new Singer 66
The Singer model 66 ran from the 1902 right up until the model was superseded by the amazing Singer 201, that was around 1956 in America and production ran from 1907 to 1940 in Britain. Production stopped earlier in Britain as Singers re-tooled in the late 1930's to help in the war effort making everything from machine gun bullets to hand grenades. After hostilities ceased the British factory sold of the last of the old stock model 66's but never restarted the assembly lines for that model.
This is a 1940 model 66 in a rare Godzilla or crinkle finish sometimes attributed to war sales.
Singer crinkle finish sewing machine model 66 no reverse.
One of the last Singer 66's a Centenary 1951 model with reverse, amazing.
The later even smoother Singer 201came on line in the late 1920's but by 1950 it finally took the place of the Singer 66. The Singer 66 was a great machine but the Singer 201 was possibly the finest Singer straight stitch ever produced. Check out my blog on it.
You can date your British Singer sewing machine from this list that I put together over the years.
The smaller stable-mate to the Singer 66 was the Singer 99 identical except for size and a wonderful performer. Many women became so fond of their 99's they named them. I met one who was called Merlin as it sewed like magic. Then there was Pavarotti, so named because the owner only paid a tenner for it and another called Clackity Clara because it made so much noise.
This is one of the very last Singer 66 sewing machines with a serial number dating to 1950. I was amazed when Diana Swihart posted a picture of it as I had never seen the last model before with the added reverse similar to the Singer 99 or Singer 99k.
The Singer 99 was identical to the Singer 66 in all but size and lasted longer in production, running right up to the middle 1950's with almost no major changes. A reverse was added after the Second World War around 1949. The Singer 99 was updated and morphed into the more modern 1950's style of the Singer 185k. Basically the same machine with a paint job. Then it disappeared as plastic multi-stitch machines took over.
Here is a little Youtube clip that I did on the Singer which is fun.
Alex Askaroff on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOZhNf7eGMc
Fitting the slide plate to a Singer sewing machine model 99 or 66Rme 800 driver for mac.
The knack of fitting the slide plate back on the Singer 66 and the Singer 99 is to do it as shown above. If you find this hint useful mail me and I'll add more pictures:[email protected]
The British Singer 66's were adorned with three different decals. Firstly the Lotus petal as seen below. Then came the Sphinx which was also used on the Singer 15k and a few other shuttle models. In good condition both these look stunning. In America the Lotus patter was used for a while but the famous red-eye pattern stayed with the machine whereas in Britain the Singer 66 had three decal changes.
The Singer 66k Lotus Petal decoration. Simply stunning when in good condition.
The Singer 66 was sold in all formats, hand, electric and treadle. In Britain the hand machine was the most popular until electric motors became more affordable in the 1930's. The bolt-on motor cost £5.17s, two weeks wages or more in 1933.
1904 Singer 66 advert
I met a woman once that bought a Singer in 1926 and did not finish paying for it until 1941. She had spent 15 years paying off her machine. Wow! I have a little of her story at the bottom of the page and it even includes a German bombing raid so it is great reading.
The stunning Singer 66 Red-eye sewing machine. Circa 1930
Now, in America the Singer 66 wore different clothes. This was to have a huge effect on its later values. In America the machine became fondly known as the Red-eye for obvious reasons. The machine does look like it has exotic eyes. The beautiful decoration made it sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.
The Singer 66k Sphinx. Circa 1919 Similar to the Singer 15 decals
In Britain the Kilbowie machines started off with superb decoration known as the Sphinx (above) and Lotus Petal but was soon replaced with a pretty but unimpressive basic gold decal as seen below.
Pro ais 2 for mac. The last Singer 66 in a boring dress. Circa 1939 with black side plate. Its days were numbered.
This is a fascinating receipt sent in to me. In 1914 the Singer 66 cost £11. 10. It must have been supplied in one of Singers fine treadle cabinets as the basic machine was only £7, 10s then. If you think the average wage for a farmer was less than 10 shillings a week the machine represented several months wages. The cost of a new car today! No wonder they have lasted so well.
By the outbreak of WWII the Singer 66 was no more in Britain and the superb stitching but mundane looking Singer 201 took over. It was a similar size to the 66 but with greater sewing ability at speed due to its modern revolving hook mechanism and worm-cut gears. It was smooth, almost silent and unbeatable. For the next two decades it dominated the professional market.
The True Story
Abridged.
Annie Pratt, bought her Singer in the 1920's from the local Singer dealers in Plymouth. It was to make the christening gown for her first daughter and clothes over the years that followed. She treasured the machine and made many bits and pieces on her, always lovingly cleaning and oiling before putting her away.
By 1941 the family were living in Alexandra Road in Plymouth. Plymouth is a big naval base on the South Coast of England. It is where Francis Drake and the British fleet sailed to attack the Spanish Armada in 1588 and where Admiral Nelson set sail to get rid of more pesky invaders in 1805. Anyway I digress.
In 1941 Britain was having a pretty bad time with German bombers dropping bombs everywhere, once more trying to invade our little island nation. The Blitz was not just on London where my English family were but covered many industrial towns as well. One day a German bomber dropped incendiary bombs over Plymouth. She dived under an apple tree along her road as the bombs hit. She looked up to see her house on fire as the oil bombs spread burning oil over the rooftops. Annie ran along the road into her burning home and pulled out her most precious item, her Singer. She came out of the house with the arm of her coat on fire but clutching her machine. After 15 years of hire-purchase payments she was not going to let anyone get her machine!
Luckily she only had minor burns on her hands. She sewed on her machine, now called Lucky, for many more years before passing it on.
Can you imagine today rushing into your burning home just to grab your sewing machine! That's dedication.
Her full story is in my book, Have I Got A Story For You by Alex Askaroff
Singer Sewing Machine Serial Number G Value Chart
Most of us know the name Singer but few are aware of his amazing life story, his rags to riches journey from a little runaway to one of the richest men of his age. The story of Isaac Merritt Singer will blow your mind, his wives and lovers his castles and palaces all built on the back of one of the greatest inventions of the 19th century. For the first time the most complete story of a forgotten giant is brought to you by Alex Askaroff.
(Updated April 2018)
Singer Sewing Machine Serial Number G Value Lookup
From around the late 1950's on-ward, most Singer Sewing Machines had their Model Numbers clearly visible on the front or base of most machines. Prior to the late 1950's, most Singer machines DID NOT have the Model Number anywhere on the machine, thereby making it very difficult to identify.
Antique Singer Sewing Machine Serial Number
Below is a simple procedure to help you identify your old cast metal Singer Sewing machines manufactured prior to 1960. Just answer the simple questions about your machine by clicking on the answer links and hopefully you will be able to identify it. There are pictures along the way to assist you. If you are unsuccessful you can email me with a clear picture of your machine and its serial number.
