1950s Singer sewing machines were a triumph of vintage engineering

Vintage 1950s singer sewing machines at Click Americana

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In a world where technology and innovation dominate our daily lives, there’s something undeniably charming about 1950s Singer sewing machines — the features of which were surprising intricate for the time.

Steeped in history and nostalgia — many of us alive during this era had at least some of our clothes stitched up on these classic machines — they tell a story of the craftsmanship and ingenuity that was often required from everyday homemakers back in the day.

SEE MORE: Who invented the sewing machine?

Vintage slant-needle 1950s Singer sewing machine (1952)

Modern, streamlined. Almost all moving parts concealed. Even the bobbin winder is recessed. Available in traditional black or lovely soft beige. A magnificent new model in the already world-famous line of Singer sewing machines.

Vintage 1950s Slant-needle Singer sewing machine (1952)


Amazing new Swing-Needle Singer Automatic brings out the “fashion designer” in you (1954)

Now, even with the simplest pattern, you can do the beautifully detailed sewing of an expert seamstress — and create original finishing touches — all with the greatest of ease on the new Swing-Needle Singer Automatic!

Here is truly the most versatile, the most advanced of all machines — an automatic Swing-Needle machine that takes hard work, handwork, and guesswork out of your sewing! No counting stitches. No tricky adjustments.

With the Automatic, you get a set of “FASHION Discs,” each marked with a picture of the type of stitch it produces. Just slip the Disc you want on your SINGER Automatic. Then watch your machine turn out either arrowheads, dominoes, scallops, zigzags, or any of 101 stitch variations — completely automatically.

Cabinet or portable. The new SINGER* Automatic Sewing Machine comes in black or eye-rest beige — in your choice of modern or period cabinets, or trim, easy-to-carry portable case. De luxe in every way, it’s built with true SINGER dependability and backed by the nationwide service only SINGER can offer. The famous SINGER course of personal sewing lessons is included at no extra cost.

Swing-Needle Singer Automatic sewing machine (1954)

Vintage Swing-Needle Singer Automatic sewing machine (1954)

This wonder machine, like all Singers, does the smoothest straight stitching in this wide world — plus hundreds of practical, beautiful finishing stitches — completely automatically!

You’ll take pride and pleasure in watching the Automatic blind-stitch hems, overcast seams. You’ll discover that there’s no end to the lovely decorative stitches you can create to give personal touches to your clothes — the children’s clothes — your home furnishings!

The automatic is the newest of many Singer Sewing Machines, including both Straight-Needle and Slant-Needle models.

Swing-needle Singer Automatic vintage sewing machine (1955)

UP NEXT: Vintage 60s sewing machines made zigzags, embroidery, fancy stitches & more


1950s Singer sewing machine attachment: The Automatic Zigzagger for fancy stitches (1955)

The 1950s automatic zigzagger (1955)


Vintage 1950s Singer Portable machine in black (1956)

Vintage 1950s Singer Portable machine in black (1956)


Vintage 1950s Singer sewing machines: “New for young homemakers” (1959)

The Young Budget Singer

Versatile… even lets you do cording by machine! Easy to use, too. You can whip up things for the family and your home right away.

Variety of cabinets for the Young-Budget Singer. Blonde or walnut finish… and they double as desks… dressing tables. Attractively priced, too.

Buy it portable if space is your problem. Handsome, matching green carrying case takes up no more room than an overnight case. Lightweight, too.

Built to meet the sewing needs of young families… priced to fit the young budget!

Here in one sleek, new Singer Sewing Machine are all the features young homemakers want most:

Features you would expect to find in much more expensive machines

  • Easy to use — simplified threading — top round bobbin
  • Sleek, new design – new, soft green color
  • Sews beautifully backward and forward
  • Dependable and rugged as only a Singer can be

And its sleek, little price even includes one of the famous Singer Sewing Courses. See it. Sew on it. The machine designed specially for young homemakers — the Young-Budget Singer.

Small vintage Singer sewing machines - Portable in mint green from 1959

DON’T MISS: Simple one-piece hats you can make — how to sew yourself some style! (1955)


“No wonder more women ask me for a Slant-O-Matic” (1959)

The Slant-O-Matic is the machine with the most know-how-to… from fancy work to re-kneeing boys’ dungarees!

Many women who never sewed before turn out wearables right off! No amateurish, wavering seams… the seam guide is built into the machine. No loop-de-loop stitching… simply dial the tension control. Threading is foolproof… the chart is printed on the machine.

With every Singer Sewing Machine comes the famous Singer Sewing Course. Small groups, individual instruction… it’s the “fun way” to learn a satisfying hobby.

In every price range, Singer has the “most wanted” machines… all givable on the Singer Budget Plan.

Decorative stitches galore! Use single or double needles. Do overcasting, mending, blind stitching, without attachments.

Singer Slant-Needle design makes it so easy to see and control work. Raise or lower throat plate at the flip of a lever.

Do buttonholes in seconds. Sew on buttons, too! Do all your tedious handwork on the Slant-O-Matic.

Eye-level stitch chart flips up; shows you how to “tune” the knob for the stitch you want. No confusing attachments.

The Sharon Hall Desk Cabinet. Blonde or walnut finish with scratchproof, marproof top.

The Cosmopolitan. Brass-tipped console, stool. Blonde or dark. Charming in any room.

The Ardmore. Sleek, modern, cabinet. Machine detaches from any cabinet for travel.

Lightweight portable case. Fits Slant-O-Matic and her sister slant-needle machines.

Santa with Vintage Singer sewing machines with Slant-O-Matic - 1959


1950s Singer sewing machines: Now the great Slant-O-Matic has two talented new sisters (1959)

All 3 machines have the Singer Slant-Needle that makes your sewing easier and better

Vintage Singer sewing machines from 1959 (2)

Vintage Singer sewing machines from 1959 (3)


Vintage 1950s Singer sewing machines: Swing-Needle Automatic (1959)

The new Swing-Needle SINGER Automatic comes in black or beige, in lovely cabinet or portable style. Singer will give you a series of free lessons when you buy your Automatic so you can learn all the many wonderful ways to use it.

Vintage Singer sewing machine - Swing-Needle automatic - 1956

Singer Sewing Machine With Included Accessory - Simple & Great For Beginners
$169.99 $159.00

Take the guesswork out of sewing with the SINGER SM024 sewing machine. The perfect machine for beginners -- 27 stitches with 97 stitch applications will give you the right stitch for any fabric. Stitches are clearly displayed on the front of the machine for easy stitch selection.

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11/22/2024 12:46 am GMT

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Comments on this story

5 Responses

  1. My parents bought me a Singer Slant-O-Matic and I am still sewing on it! Works perfect!! I do own other Singer machines — but, this is my favorite!

  2. My parents bought me a 301 at an estate sale in 2001. I have since picked up a 401 in June 2020 and a 403 in December 2021. Great machines. Just purchased the #65 cabinet in oak finish for my 301. My 401 has the walnut Ardmore cabinet and the 403 came in the walnut Sharon Hall. Used the 401 to make a memory quilt a couple years ago and it roared through all parts of that job. Used my 301 to make a toddler quilt and it did a great job even though I didn’t have a walking foot at the time. I’m a very occasional and beginner sewer and these machines have been easy to use and reliable even for me. Can’t comment for sure on the 403 because I haven’t used it yet.

  3. I’ve got the 401 in the walnut Sharon Hall cabinet too. I didn’t realize the cabinets had names. I’m only the second owner of mine, and I’m sure the first owner was sorry she let it go, because it is a fantastic machine. They still bring a lot of money, because these were the last of the all-metal Singers. After that, they started making a lot of plastic parts, and they weren’t as durable. Just moved into a new house and can’t wait to start using it again.

  4. I have 2 of my mom’s Singer machines. Her first was a 401 and the second was a 631G (G for German made). The only difference between the 2 would be the 631G with chain stitch and it has a free arm. The motor is about gone on that one but the 401 still runs as great as it did on day 1. I was all of 8 years old when she bought that machine. Until that time, she used an old treadle which had been converted to an electric motor. She sew for a living and did free hand monogramming. She did the alphabet in several sizes and my dad made templates of the letters. She had the most beautiful handwriting in the world. She was gifted. The only thing I know that was ever replaced on the 401 was the motor. She would run her machines hours everyday. I would here the machines way into the night. She would clean, oil and grease her machines weekly. Both machines were all steel gear. My dad watched the Singer guy take up the slack in the gears and after the first time he did that service himself. My dad made a cabinet for the 631 because it was a free arm. In the US they didn’t have the free arm machines yet so this was a first.
    I have been offered a $1,000.00 for the 401 but I will not part with it. I’m 75 now and it doesn’t skip a stitch no matter what you sew. One thing for sure, they don’t make them like these 2 machines anymore.

  5. I just got my grandmother’s Singer Featherweight 221 running nicely. What a beautiful old machine! It makes such a rich, deep purring sound when it runs, not whiny like some of the newer machines.

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