Singer Model 66

Serial number AJ678198… She was born on June 13, 1950.  She wears a Singer centennial badge and shares her birthday with 35,000 siblings.

Serial number AG258501… She was born on December 16, 1941. She shares her birthday with 35,000 siblings.

Serial number AC8800556… Born on November 9, 1929.  She shares her birthday with 35,000 siblings.

Serial number G9270902… She was born on February 28, 1922. She shares her birthday with 50,000 siblings.

Background and history:

For a little background on the model 66’s history, my research reveals that it was first introduced in America in late October of 1902. Some believe that the Singer model 66 was the first mass produced sewing machine that produced a near perfect stitch. When adjusted and in tune, it can out sew almost any new or modern sewing machine, and do it through a variety of fabrics from linen to lace right up to horse blankets.

The 66 used a smooth oscillating hook movement. The hook was mounted horizontally thus allowing the bobbin to be simply dropped into the machine. The simplicity of threading and perfection of stitch made the 66 an instant best seller. The high-arm clearance and sewing ability was second to none.

The Singer class 66 models were considered heavy duty domestic sewing machines and it set the standard for several decades.  The Class 66 bobbin and the 66 style horizontal oscillating hook arrangement are still in use on many ‘new’ sewing machines today. With its ‘near perfect’ and with the large harp clearance space it was favored by tailors and seamstresses. A basic weakness of the Singer 66 design is that it does not have the ability  to drop its feed dogs, which meant that a needle plate cover is needed for free motion quilting, embroidery or darning. When introduced, the Singer model 66 was one of the most expensive sewing machines on the market and cost several months wages for the times.

I found an interesting tale online regarding the singer 66. The story goes that the Singer 66 was such a reliable, dependable, and cherished sewing machine from the very beginning, and evidence of the fact is that at least one owner literally risked life and limb for her Singer 66.

“Annie Pratt bought her Singer in the 1920s. When the Germans bombed her hometown of Plymouth, England, during World War II, rather than run for shelter, Annie ran home to save her beloved sewing machine. She escaped with her machine in tow and sustained only a few burns on her hands.” It is also part of the story that she bought the machine new on Singer’s revolutionary payment plan, and that she paid on the machine for 20 years!