What Do I Have Here model 15?
 

Was given this machine today as a gift after a gentleman saw how wonderful my Model 66 Red Eye looked. Trying to find information on the model and I'm still not sure if it is a model 15. Would appreciate your help in identifying it. Thanks.

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It looks like an early 15 to me. Do you have the serial #? That would tell for sure.

Serial # G3498228

It is a model 115 ! Its serial number was allocated on March 18, 1914 and there were 5,000 serial numbers in that allotment.

Thanks Judy, I had never heard of 115.

You're welcome. I am lucky enough to have a 115 also and it has those Gingerbread/Tiffany decals also. I think you will be very happy with your machine. Happy sewing to the two of you!

I have already started the cleaning process. I will try to post a picture when I finish. I think she will be a beauty. Any more information on this particular machine? I have been searching the internet and haven't found much. I did find a manual that was downloadable tho.

The model 15 and 115 are very similar. The difference is underneath the machine. The 115 is a true rotary hook machine while the 15 uses an oscillating hook. If you look underneath, the hook assembly is much smaller on the 115 than the 15.
It should be a really nice machine for you. That's also one of my favorite decal patterns.
Rodney

Are the 115's really good FMqing machines like the 15's?

Candace, I have not tried FM on my 115 yet. It sure does turn nice/make a nice stitch. I should put a motor on it and try it out - I just haven't had much time to mess around.

What a lovely gift! That is probably my favorite decal pattern and I don't have one like it!

A friend of mine once described her 115 as "the machine I will take to the rest home with me." That was enough for me! I had to have one. The rotary bobbin is special; My Singer 301 and my Bernina 1630 both have them.

I feel very blessed to have received it. Nothing like that seems to ever happen to me. I also loved the decals and got so excited when he said it was mine.

Candace, I also have never used it for FMQ since mine is a treadle machine and I like electric for FMQ. I (like Miriam) assume it would be great at FMQ.

how do you clean it up I was given a beautiful old machine and have no idea how to clean it up ........

In the sticky notes Muv has a wonderful set of videos and you will not harm your machine:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html

What Miriam said: In short, remove loose dirt and lint with a nylon brush, then apply sewing machine oil to a soft cotton and get the grime layer off and bring her back to beautiful. Metal polish and strips of cotton will bring back the gleam of the shiny parts. Don't use alcohol or cleaning chemicals: They might dissolve the shellac and decals (alcohol definitely will). Removal of the dark grime on the decal layer will take hours of gentle rubbing.

You will probably be shocked at just how beautiful your machine will look. You finish off by applying a single drop of oil to each of the oiling point from the manual (singerco.com, search for manual, enter model number 115 will get you a printable pdf).

Might take a while but is definitely worth it, especially for this 15 version: Rotary bobbins are quite rare with domestic machines (they're common with industrials) and allow faster stitching.

Muv's videos are a great resource if you're in any way unsure about this. Nothing like watching it happen.

Take photos as you go (it takes so long to clean the outside that you might not notice your progress) and when you're finished (for us), and welcome to the cult :p

This should also help you with some of the differences between a 115 and a 15
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216990.html

Thanks Tammi. You've been quiet lately.
That's interesting information. I was really keen on a 115 until I read your posts. If I need a heavy duty rotary bobbin I'll just use the 96 in the shed.

Yeah, we've had a bit of a family emergency here, so I've been spending very little time online. Things are finally settling down a little, so I'll be back as I start to catch up. :)

I never did bond with my 115 for some reason. That said, I have too many machines here and didn't spend a lot of time at all with it. I have slimmed down a number of the machines and the 115 went this weekend.

recently I bought a sewing machine table and it came with a really broken down sewing machine with the Singer name missing, I too, wanted to know the history of this machine, so I emailed these people sending them a picture of the machine and the serial number, and they gave me the history of my machine. they told me that the machine was indeed a Singer, model 15, made in Clydebank, Scotland, manufactured on October 18, 1898, boy was I really happy. I hope this helps.

mimigirl - for future knowledge, most of this info can be found here: http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...-database.html