Singer Improved Family (15-1)
This is my 1887 Improved Family. It's one of the last models made with a fiddle base before Singer really started the 15 series. It's got an odd bobbin setup where you have to reach under the table, unlatch the case, maneuver in the bobbin, thread through a little notch, and snap the case back. It's a blast to use and it powers through some real heavy fabrics.
I've found that it tends to produce the best stitches with consistent maintenance and oiling. Luckily, the whole back comes off with a screw, allowing for easy access. Like most treadle machines, it's on hinges for quick access to the bottom. Despite approaching it's 140th birthday, the cast iron construction of this machine means it's chugging along as happy as ever. I'm happy to be able to keep it in use.
Willcox and Gibbs
This is my 1921 Willcox and Gibbs domestic chainstitch machine. The history behind this is pretty cool. James Edward Allen Gibbs saw an engraving of a sewing machine and set out to reverse engineer it - in the process, he created a system that looped the thread back onto itself, making a sweet chainstitch. This thing is tiny and quiet but it's been powering through all the hems I've put through it. My favorite detail is the stitch regulator, which tells you exactly how many stitches per inch to expect.
