Approximately how old does a machine need to be to be considered "vintage"?
 

I consider my machines "middle-aged" - but a 1960s Singer 237 was listed as "antique" on Craigslist.

I consider that "middle-aged"

And what is the difference between "vintage" and "antique"?

Different items/types of collections have some very different definitions. Typically "antique" means things older than 100 years. For me it also means no electricity even if that can now cross the 100 year line.

"Vintage" is more variable, can be one generation or more -- so for my generation in the 1970s the 1950s was vintage. My own definition for what I mean by "vintage" fabric is that which is 36" wide (in general) which is generally earlier than mid-1960 (at least American-made), but I've seen Y2K fabrics described as vintage as well. As time is passing on, a lot more stuff is dated as "mid-century".

Typically in collector circles, Antique is over 100 years old and vintage is 30-99 years old.

Even with "mid century", I know a guy who loves finding mid century sewing stuff, but he's into the 19th century, not the 20th. And can you believe it - we are almost 20 years into the 21st century! My, how time flies!

Nice to know that I am vintage and not antique!

And how many non Singer machines are listed as Singers on Craigslist?? If it black and cast Iron it must be a Singer, right?

... And it's a super common model and looks like it's been in a barn for the last 20 years. But doggone, we are going to say it's rare and ask $700 for it!

Gotta love those listings!

:D:D:D Good to know!

A 1960’s machine is far from being an antique. I have a 1956 Singer that the dealer told me wasn’t even vintage yet.

Good to hear. I'm a 1946 year model and don't consider myself "vintage" yet.....................oh wait....................we're talking about sewing machines here!
I have and have used my Grandma's 1937 Singer that she bought new. I guess that might be considered vintage.

Jim

Oh my... I don’t mind being ‘vintage’ but I’d so rather not be labeled ‘antique’! Lol Seriously, I’ve heard it said in the antiquing world... that antique is 100 years or more here in the US. In England, that might be vintage. Maybe how ppl view it, is dependent on their culture or geographic area? For me: antique is about 150-200 years in my mind as I grew up in a house built pre-1860 (sea captains house in old Maine). But I live in Florida now, and what is old here is 100 years or so (about 1920’s).