| Sewing machines have been mass-produced | | | | traveling or for mending. These small machines doubled |
| worldwide for more than two-hundred years. Early | | | | as children's sewing machines specifically for use by |
| models featured unique designs to add beauty and | | | | young girls, since they were expected to learn how to |
| appeal to buyers. The wide variety of styles and | | | | sew. Machines that were intended to be marketed as |
| manufacturers make antique sewing machines a | | | | a child's machine were often painted in a different |
| favorite collectible. Because of the quality workmanship | | | | color or have floral motifs painted onto the body of the |
| and heavy materials of the early machines many of | | | | machine. |
| the antique sewing machines are still working models. | | | | Over the past two centuries many sewing machine |
| The antique sewing machines will typically be made of | | | | companies were successful for a time before closing |
| cast iron and feature the patent information in a visible | | | | operations, making for the wide variety of machines to |
| location. The machines may have a hand crank or a | | | | be found. Many companies were not able to survive |
| treadle, which was a flat pedal for both feet to provide | | | | having their manufacturing facilities converted for |
| the motion for the sewing mechanism. The treadle | | | | wartime use, but also lost to post-war Japan's ability to |
| machines would be mounted onto their own table or | | | | produce cheap products. |
| cabinet, while many other machines would be in a | | | | Singer is the first sewing machine company and |
| carrying case and the machine would be placed on | | | | continues to have antique sewing machines that are |
| the kitchen table. | | | | the most recognizable and most popular with |
| Miniature, antique sewing machines are some of the | | | | collectors. The Singer Featherweight model #221, |
| most desirable, as they are smaller working models | | | | referred to as the Perfect Portable, continues to be a |
| that served as salesmen’s samples, used while | | | | favorite of quilters. |