Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
I learned that at Needlebar too...and I knew that when you were on Needlebar, you were gathering Japanese information...didn't know how far you'd gotten with it, didn't matter much really to me, but those of us that don't want to pretend that we're experts are actually ok with calling them "clones"...it works for us and we know what each other are talking about.
All I was trying to say before is that not every machine made in Japan is a 15...many aren't. Even having the tension on the faceplate does not necessarily make the machine a 15....it needs to also have the body style.
All I was trying to say before is that not every machine made in Japan is a 15...many aren't. Even having the tension on the faceplate does not necessarily make the machine a 15....it needs to also have the body style.
If you do a search of 'Singer 15 clones" all kinds of stuff comes up. I printed out an article that I thought was really interesting on the subject of the 'clones' when I got my first 'clone.'
This article was written in 2006 by Ed Lamoureux and I found it explained the Japanese 'clones' very well. To quote from the article, "Shortly after WWII, Japan, with money from the US, manufactured a large number of sewing machines. The most common of these were based on the Singer Model 15, but there are also Singer 99 clones. Indeed many of these machines are practically indistinguishable from a Singer and use parts that are interchangeable. Often they were given American sounding names to appeal to the overseas market. Over 5000 different "brands" have been identified, manufactured by 15 or so companies. Unfortunately, records from these manufactures don't exist, so it is impossible to identify them further. Generally speaking, a machine will somewhere state "made in Japan" or have a "JA" stamped into the bottom of the machine. To further complicate matters, large retailers would purchase machines and have the company name on them: RH Macy, Gimballs, etc. Any retailer so inclined could have Sewing Machines made just for him or her (Sears Kenmore, Wards Signature). I've tracked Department Stores, machines with automobile names, female names, patriotic names, etc. The post war machines are generally well made, often quieter and smoother running than the Singers they were copied from. Japan also gave us many of our colored sewing machines, examples have been found in metallic blue, green, pink, yellow, and I have a Fire Engine Red one!~ In terms of collectability, don't be fooled by a claim of 'an extremely rare" Mitsubishi, Ford, Saxon, Stitch Queen, etc., the same machine could have dozens of different names. If it says Singer on the machine, it probably is. If it doesn't, it's not. The Japanese machines have not caught on with collectors (even the ones made in occupied Japan) and as a result retain very little value. They can be found at Thrift Stores for $10 - $20 and at local auctions for under $5. "
Anyway, since this article was written in 2006, I think very little has changed. The 15 'clones' are great machines. Whether they are in fact actual clones or not they have been called 'clones' for a very long time.
Nancy
Last edited by BoJangles; 11-10-2011 at 07:55 PM.
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justtrish,
That's a Singer 101.
That's a Singer 101.
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Found this listing on CL http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/2692010865.html
Artistic Sewing Cabinet??
Artistic Sewing Cabinet??
I don't think I'm even going to TRY to catch up with you all!! I'm just going to dash in and give a quick update before getting back to hauling plants in out of the coming freeze.
Since I know EXACTLY what you all want to hear, I'll let you know that yes, I'm still bringing in more machines than I sell. My newest old machines are a pair of 128's with Victorian decals (I bought one for the case and the crank, machine is in rough shape; the next day I found one in nice shape, so will put the two together); a German paw foot TS (beautiful little machine, need to get it cleaned and shined); a Domestic B HC (very cute); and my prize, a back-wheel Wilson treadle.
First weekend in Oct was a quilt retreat--finally finished a top that had been giving me grief. 2nd weekend was a great time at ISMACS. It was a small crowd, but well worth the time. Beautiful machine overload viewing Gary Wachs' collection. Since then has been a cold, a burn, and a fall--not so much fun, but recovering from all. Life still busy beyond belief, but hope to be able to check in more often!!
So now--when did the Quilting Board get a new look? Do we like it???
Since I know EXACTLY what you all want to hear, I'll let you know that yes, I'm still bringing in more machines than I sell. My newest old machines are a pair of 128's with Victorian decals (I bought one for the case and the crank, machine is in rough shape; the next day I found one in nice shape, so will put the two together); a German paw foot TS (beautiful little machine, need to get it cleaned and shined); a Domestic B HC (very cute); and my prize, a back-wheel Wilson treadle.
First weekend in Oct was a quilt retreat--finally finished a top that had been giving me grief. 2nd weekend was a great time at ISMACS. It was a small crowd, but well worth the time. Beautiful machine overload viewing Gary Wachs' collection. Since then has been a cold, a burn, and a fall--not so much fun, but recovering from all. Life still busy beyond belief, but hope to be able to check in more often!!
So now--when did the Quilting Board get a new look? Do we like it???
Nancy
[QUOTE=jlhmnj;4663293]Davis and some other SM manufacturers would put whatever name the buyer wanted with an order of 100+- machines. Going by Davis serial numbers, I would roughly date your machine to 1906 . Attached is dated Davis machines, numbers beginning with "D" are Sears Minnesota's. Some badged Davis machines have this "D" also, which seems to be a smart way to mark the machine for needles and parts if "Davis" is not already on the slide plate. Good luck with the cabinet restoration and if part of the bobbin winder is missing, I might have some odd parts layin around if needed.
Jon
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gGW8Tsp...Serial Numbers
Wow Jon, thank you. I am going backwards trying to catch up with the board and found this information! I don't have time to read it all tonight, but I will tomorrow. Yep, I figured by the looks and feel of this machine that it is from around the 1900 to 1910 timeframe, so your guess of 1906 sounds right!
Jon, thank you for all the information! I love it! And, yes this machine takes a Boye 10 or Davis Long (same thing) just like I figured it would!
Nancy
Jon
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gGW8Tsp...Serial Numbers
Wow Jon, thank you. I am going backwards trying to catch up with the board and found this information! I don't have time to read it all tonight, but I will tomorrow. Yep, I figured by the looks and feel of this machine that it is from around the 1900 to 1910 timeframe, so your guess of 1906 sounds right!
Jon, thank you for all the information! I love it! And, yes this machine takes a Boye 10 or Davis Long (same thing) just like I figured it would!
Nancy
Last edited by BoJangles; 11-10-2011 at 08:17 PM.
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Millville, NJ
Posts: 1,835
[QUOTE=BoJangles;4664187]
You have a really neat machine with an interesting CA / USA story to tell. Thank You!
Jon
Davis and some other SM manufacturers would put whatever name the buyer wanted with an order of 100+- machines. Going by Davis serial numbers, I would roughly date your machine to 1906 . Attached is dated Davis machines, numbers beginning with "D" are Sears Minnesota's. Some badged Davis machines have this "D" also, which seems to be a smart way to mark the machine for needles and parts if "Davis" is not already on the slide plate. Good luck with the cabinet restoration and if part of the bobbin winder is missing, I might have some odd parts layin around if needed.
Jon
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gGW8Tsp...Serial Numbers
Wow Jon, thank you. I am going backwards trying to catch up with the board and found this information! I don't have time to read it all tonight, but I will tomorrow. Yep, I figured by the looks and feel of this machine that it is from around the 1900 to 1910 timeframe, so your guess of 1906 sounds right!
Jon, thank you for all the information! I love it! And, yes this machine takes a Boye 10 or Davis Long (same thing) just like I figured it would!
Nancy
Jon
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gGW8Tsp...Serial Numbers
Wow Jon, thank you. I am going backwards trying to catch up with the board and found this information! I don't have time to read it all tonight, but I will tomorrow. Yep, I figured by the looks and feel of this machine that it is from around the 1900 to 1910 timeframe, so your guess of 1906 sounds right!
Jon, thank you for all the information! I love it! And, yes this machine takes a Boye 10 or Davis Long (same thing) just like I figured it would!
Nancy
Jon
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Martinsville, Indiana
Posts: 1,430
Watch ebay, that's where I got both of mine for a LOT less than $99! April1930's has this video on You Tube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxWyjzhmdI8
If I can't get this one to work right, I'll be selling it! LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxWyjzhmdI8
If I can't get this one to work right, I'll be selling it! LOL
[QUOTE=vintagemotif;4664037]Mine doesn't have the scrolled woodwork, but is instead "scored".
Last edited by Charlee; 11-10-2011 at 09:26 PM. Reason: add photo
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