Antique Sewing Machines-Everyone has Them, Few Want to buy Them. . . .

Early Sewing Machines                                  

In Europe, at least five different sewing machines were patented before one actually worked.  In America, Walter Hunt developed a machine, but Elias Howe, Jr. was first with a workable, although prohibitively expensive model. Howe’s sewing machine worked well, but had to be crafted entirely by hand, which made it far too expensive for most potential customers.  Isaac Merrit Singer made the sewing machine viable by offering an improved version of an existing model that was affordable but subject to regular breakdowns.

American Sewing Machine Manufacturers

By the mid 1850’s, dozens of American companies were making and selling sewing machines, including Grover & Baker Co, the Florence Sewing Machine Co, The American Buttonhole, Overseaming & Sewing Machine Co, Wheeler & Wilson, National, New Home, Graybar, Wilcox & Gibbs, Merrow Machine Co, Davis, Foley & Williams, and Singer

Collectible Sewing Machines

For collectors, the value in old sewing machines has most to do with rarity and condition.  As the most successful models were produced in factories by the thousands, only the oldest, hard to find, aesthetically pleasing, or models that represent important technological advances are eagerly sought after, and command high prices. 

While Singer is the most widely recognized manufacturer, its products are the least collectible except for the earliest examples such as the model #1 and the Turtleback, both of which are hard to find.  Another popular Singer sewing machine is the Featherweight model.  Introduced in 1933 at the World’s Fair in Chicago, the Featherweight proved to be enormously popular.  Simple to run, and easy to maintain, the Featherweight is eagerly sought by even today’s quiltmakers.  Some versions of this model can sell for almost $1,000.

 Singer sewing machines, regardless of age and aesthetics, are, with a few exceptions, rarely worth more than a few hundred dollars at best, and the majority that are offered on eBay go unsold.  Collectors do seem to like mini and toy models, but even these usually sell for under $100.