Upper Threading guide for my 1937 Singer 15-88

1968-1972 Singer Model 237 - Feed Dogs Do Not Drop- From Vermont

Singer 237
Fashion-Mate

Manufactured: 1968-1972 (per Singer)
Serial Number: MD504348
Needle: 15 x 1
Bobbins: Class 15
Mechanism type: Oscillating round bobbin
Feed: must be covered
Feet: Low shank

Singer 237

This is a Singer Model 237 sewing machine. This is a second model 237 that I had purchased, after the first one had gone through a rough shipping.

I was told that the 237s were all made in Italy, and that for use in Italy, they were sold as treadle heads only. They do come with external motors in the United States, and can either be treadled or used as an electric.

The model 237, as you can see by the photo above, has forward and reverse, three needle positions, and a varying stitch width. It straight stitches as well, and it is one of the last machines Singer made that is for the most part, metal.

There were two types of model 237s - one with feed dogs that drop, and one without feed dogs that drop. This machine does not have feed dogs that drop. That feature is important if you want to do free-motion quilting or darning.  For those models that do have feed dogs that drop, there will be a small knob at the front base of the pillar.

The 237 has all metal gears and a metal housing, but the top area is plastic. I believe these were made in the late 60s and 70s - a transition between the all-metal machines of the 60s and earlier, to the newer plastic models of the late 70s and 80s. Singer responded to my email for the manufacture date with this reply "The "Sewing Machine Blue Book" states that model # 237 was manufactured

between 1968 and 1972."

I have found a list of the attachments that my Singer model 237 would have come with originally, and they were not many, and certainly not like the attachments that came with earlier machines. My model does not have feed dogs that drop. It came with a darning needle/plate cover (feed dog cover) in order to do free-motion sewing or darning. Below is a list from the parts page that shows the original attachments. They came in an envelope and not in a box. They include:

- 3 bobbins (class 15) # 81348

-1 small screwdriver #161295

-1 spool pin felt #8879

-1 needle threader #161307

-1 feed dog cover plate #352150

-1 spool pin #173571

-1 package of needles #2020

-1 envelope #52

1968-1972 Singer Model 237 M-A Feed Dogs Drop - From Michigan

Singer 237
Fashion-Mate

Manufactured: 1968-1972 (per Singer)
Serial Number: ME826810
Needle: 15 x 1
Bobbins: Class 15
Mechanism type: Oscillating round bobbin
Feed: must be covered
Feet: Low shank

Singer 237 M-A

This is a Singer Model 237 sewing machine. My older machines sew straight stitches only, and I found that the zig-zag attachment for the antique machines had limited clearance under the presser foot. I had sold my models 500 and 503 which had been my machines for any fancy stitches. I now needed just a basic metal Singer machine that sews zig-zag, and the 237 was the model I liked.

The photo above is from the seller's listing. I was told that the 237s were all made in Italy, and that for use in Italy, they were sold as treadle heads only.

Even though I have owned fancier models, the 500A and 503A, a 221 Featherweight, I specifically wanted a 237. The name "Fashion Mate" tells part of the story. I needed a machine to sew zig-zag stitches on heavier-weight fabrics, mostly those I will be making clothes of. This is one of the few zig-zag machines that Singer made that can be used as an electric or in a Singer treadle.

The model 237, as you can see by the photo above, has forward and reverse, three needle positions, and a varying stitch width. It straight stitches as well, and that is all I need to make clothes.

There were two types of model 237s - one with feed dogs that drop, and one without feed dogs that drop. This machine does have feed dogs that drop. That feature is important if you want to do free-motion quilting or darning. 

The 237 has all metal gears and a metal housing, but the top area is plastic. Singer responded to my email for the manufacture date with this reply "The "Sewing Machine Blue Book" states that model #237 was manufactured between 1968 and 1972."

I have found a list of the attachments that my Singer model 237 would have come with originally, and they were not many, and certainly not like the attachments that came with earlier machines.  Below is a list from the parts page that shows the original attachments. They came in an envelope and not in a box. They include:

- 3 bobbins (class 15) # 81348

-1 small screwdriver #161295

-1 spool pin felt #8879

-1 needle threader #161307

-1 feed dog cover plate #352150 (not needed for this model of 237)

-1 spool pin #173571

-1 package of needles #2020

-1 envelope #52

1959 Singer Spartan 192k

Singer Spartan 192K

Manufactured: July 29, 1959 Clydebank, Scotland

Serial Number: EP419688

Needle: Standard 15x1

Bobbins: Singer Class 66

Mechanism type: Oscillating round bobbin

Feed: Must be covered, back tack capable

Feet: Low shank

No case, in plastic base

1959 Singer Spartan 192k

A 1960 Singer Spartan is shown below after being converted to a handcrank.

The Singer Spartan model 192k sewing machine was sold as an "economy" model. It was sold without attachments or covered case, but was housed in a plastic base. I have seen photos of some that have "Singer Manufacturing..." on top of the arm, and some that only have it on the inner area of the pillar, like mine. 

  It is a 3/4 size machine, similar to a Singer model 99, and will make a nice hand-crank machine or can be used with the motor. 

Accessories that would have come with this machine if they had been sold with it (and which will work with this model):

Accessories box (complete) # 160809 - would contain:

2 felt washers (part# 8879)

hemmer foot (#35931)

edge stitcher (# 36865)

binder (#81245)

gathering foot (#121441)

tube of oil (#161133)

large screwdriver (#161294)

small screwdriver (#161295)

package #2020 of needles

Videos on this machine:  1959 Singer Spartan 192k

1934 Singer 99-13 Knee Control Machine

Singer 99-13 Knee Control

Filigree Decal Pattern

Manufactured: February 27, 1934, Elizabethport, New Jersey
Serial Number: AD598010
Needle: Standard 15x1
Bobbins: Singer Class 66
Mechanism type: Oscillating round bobbin
Feed: Must be covered
Feet: Low shank
In dome-top bentwood case

Singer 99-13

This was my grandmother's Singer.  I think I first really noticed it when I was fourteen years old or so. Gleaming black and gold, with a beautifully finished wood base. Well, I knew I had seen something special.

I asked her about it. As for many things in our family, there was a story attached to it. My grandmother is the youngest of eleven children. Her older sister Bessie had a friend who was a seamstress named Mildred Moon. Mildred had made all of my mother's infant clothes, gowns of white organdy and lace as well as everyday clothes on this wonderful Singer. When Mildred passed away, her family asked Bessie to give the machine to my grandmother. My grandmother lovingly used this machine for many years, it being the only sewing machine she had.

When her eyesight started to fail and when she was in her 80's, my grandmother started to mention that I would someday have her Singer. She put it off for a few years, because she still liked to sew on it, and felt that once she gave it up, she was admitting she had trouble seeing. This again showed me the real value of some of our possessions, the ability to keep us tied to something we love. In her case this has been her independence of others, her sewing, her seeing.

Well, she now has great trouble seeing, and I have received the Singer. As the granddaughter who has already cherished this machine for its history, to me it looks almost like new. It's a Singer 99-13 knee-control model in a bentwood case. It isn't extremely rare, and wouldn't bring a huge dollar value, but it has a cherished place in my home. My grandmother told me when she gave it to me "I just had it serviced, and it runs beautifully, just hold the cord up a bit when you sew." What could be more precious than that. The machine my mother's baby clothes were made with, and then used by my grandmother for all those years, and now given to me. Holding the cord up just a bit, and continuing the history.

She does not think she ever had the attachments or manual. The lock on the bentwood case is missing the key, and she used a small screwdriver to open the case. It has its original wiring and very little, if any, decal wear. It is operated by using the included knee bar. There are a few scratches in the wood of the case, but that doesn't bother me.

I finally had to replace the original power cord with a newer one.

Accessories that would have come with this machine:

Accessories box (complete) # 160809 - would contain:

2 felt washers (part# 8879) 

hemmer foot (#35931) 

edge stitcher (# 36865) 

binder (#81245) 

gathering foot (#121441) 

tube of oil (#161133) 

large screwdriver (#161294) 

small screwdriver (#161295) 

package #2020 of needles 

Attachments I purchased for this 99-13 machine (this has the feet from above as well as the adjustable hemmer, and the ruffler). The box is in very good condition and is marked 160809 on one end.:

Videos of this machine: 1934 Singer Model 99-13

1952 Singer Model 15-91 Sewing Machine

Singer 15-91

Trefoil Decal Pattern

Manufactured: March 3,1952, Elizabethport, New Jersey

Serial Number: AK805815

Needle: 15 x 1

Bobbins: Class 15

Mechanism type: Oscillating round bobbin

Feed: must be covered

Feet: Low shank 

Singer 15-91

This is a nice Singer model 15-91 electric that my father gave me from his collection. The 15-91 machines have what is often called a "potted motor". The motor is housed on the upper back of the machine and connects directly to the gears, eliminating the need for a belt. This makes for a very strong machine. The stitches this one sews are very nice, as can be seen below. I plan on using this machine for quilting.

Below are some sample stitches from this machine:

More photos:

Below: what came with this machine

Below: The attachments that I already have, that I had set aside for this machine.

Below: A back view of the machine:

Below: A view of the motor- these motors are so much smaller than the belt-driven external motors on Singer models!

Below: A view of the faceplate and needlebar end.

This machine came with a very nice bentwood case from the correct time period. 

I have placed the machine in a Singer cabinet that I had, shown below.

Below is a photo of something I decided to test the 15-91 with. It is two Weave-It squares, with some spool-knitted tubes in the middle as a batting. The 15-91 sewed right through all this wool without a ball-tipped needle, and without a problem.

Below- The 15-91 and quilting

Original Singer accessories that would have come with this machine are listed below:

Accessories box (complete) # 160809 - would contain:

2 felt washers (part# 8879) 

hemmer foot (#35931) 

edge stitcher (# 36865) 

binder (#81245) 

gathering foot (#121441) 

tube of oil (#161133) 

large screwdriver (#161294) 

small screwdriver (#161295) 

package #2020 of needles 

Videos of this machine: 1952 Singer Model 15-91

Vintage Stoppax Darning Foot

Vintage Stoppax Darning Foot

This is an embroidery and darning foot that I have used before, mainly on a Singer 201. Now I have it on my Singer 237 (from Michigan) machine.  The directions are below.