BarbaraSue

I try to look at it every time it has been on the show. So far I know it is a Singer with a potted motor, and to me it looks like a 3/4 machine. A 99k perhaps?

Anyone know which it is? I'm curious to know.

Jennifer23

We discussed it in the Vintage Machines forum when the episode aired in Britain. It's a Singer 128. There are pictures and discussion here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t233050.html

dunster

I would guess that it's a model 127. It looks full-size to me. But it could be 3/4 size, the 128.

http://downtonabbeyonline.com/wp-con...on-downton.jpg

Mitch's mom

It could very well be a 128. Think about it - at that time most machines were full size and in treadle cabinets. Electricity was becoming more widely used, but for most it was still only a dream. This is a wealthy household and to have an electric machine - and a portable one at that - was quite a status symbol! Not that it would be mentioned in polite company amongst the family, but to the hired help it was a big deal and believe me they lorded it over the help from other houses.

BarbaraSue

I'm sorry to be repeating what may have been discussed earlier. This season of the show just recently started for me. I was just surprised that the sewing machine was not only being used, but was part of the dialogue in that first episode. It has since continued to be in the story.
I was surprised it wasn't a treadle, or modified from a treadle power to electric. It wouldn't have been that common for the electric machine to be in a cupboard in the laundry hall at this time I don't think. I guess I would not have thought that electricity would be installed much in the servant wing.

Thanks all for the conversations, anyway.

AngeliaNR

The machine appears to belong to the lady's maid rather than the household.

ManiacQuilter2

I was curious too what types and models of sewing machines were used in Great Britain at that time. They have gotten to a period of time when my parents were born.