Singer 27 Treadle Sewing Machine - The Quilting Room with Mel

Hello everyone today I would like to help remove some of the confusion surrounding Singer Vibrating Shuttle sewing machines. I am of course referring to the VS #1, #2, and #3 and their relationships with the Model #27 and #28, eventually concluding with the #127 and #128. These machines were available as hand-crank machines, treadle machines, and even motorized with add-on motor and light kits straight from the factory. So let’s learn more about the Singer 27 family of sewing machines.

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Our Singer 27 and Singer 127 Machines

We have several of the model 27 and 127 machines in our herd of machines. All of which started their lives as treadle machines. Most of them have come to live with us after some previous owner separated them from their treadle bases.

Our First Singer Model 27

My first 27 came to us with an aftermarket motorization kit installed on it. It was frozen solid from lack of use and years of storage. The machine was given to me by a co-worker who said he got it 30 years earlier. It was stuck when he got it. Since he and I work in an environment surrounded by electric motors, pumps, and bearings we are both quite comfortable with mechanical motion.

When he brought it to me and said if you can make it work you can have it if you will use it I was eager to accept his challenge. By the end of the day, I had a new machine and he got to see it moving and making stitches.

About 6 weeks later I found a set of irons for it at a city-wide yard sale. After convincing the seller that I was actually interested in restoring them to be used and not use them for some steampunk art exhibit, I found myself loading them into the van for $25.

They were rusted and almost impossible to move. The table was in fair shape but the drawers were long gone. I completely disassembled it in the driveway. After wire brushing every single part of it by hand I found myself the owner of the smoothest set of SINGER irons I have ever had the pleasure of using. I planted the head on it and sent the previous owner of the irons a video. While it was still sitting in the driveway. It has long since moved into the house. It has been a trusted friend to be relied upon whenever there are tough circumstances most other machines cannot handle.

Our research On Singer Model 27

While researching the new to me Singer 27 I entered the history wormhole and before I knew it I had several pages of notes and scribbles of dates and places detailing the birth of the machine. Our machine was commissioned in 1895. There are some inconsistencies to be found as records were lost over time and different resources had records that didn’t match. I did the best I could to piece together an accurate timeline. I also feel there is probably room for correction.

Birth of The Singer VS-1

In 1885 Singer introduced the VS-1, Vibrating Shuttle # 1. The VS-1 was designed as an economical replacement for the aging TS machine for residential use. The TS or Transverse Shuttle created a lockstitch by sliding a shuttle called a boat through a loop created by the needle. The transverse shuttle slid right to left on the machine. Right to the left would mean from the pillar to the head and back towards the pillar, whereas the VS would form a lockstitch the same way except for the shuttle rides in a carrier at the end of an arm that swings in an arch from the rear to the front of the machine and back. This, however, was not the first singer attempt to move away from the TS machines.

Birth of the Singer 15

In 1879 they introduced a round bobbin oscillating hook machine called the 15-1. It became the Improved Family and lead to the model 15 series oscillating hook machines we are familiar with today. It is my suspicion that the complex machining and cost of labor and time investment needed to produce these machines was more than the average consumer could afford. The simplicity of the VS machine made it easier to service and cheaper to build. And after all, the end consumer wanted a reliable, cost-effective, easy to maintain the machine. So simpler was better and the VS #1 came to life.

Birth of Singer 27 and Singer 28

After a short production period, it was revised and the VS #2 was introduced in 1886. Shortly after the VS #2, the VS #3 hit the market. The VS #2 is a full-size model that worked very well as a treadle machine. It weighed in at 27.7 pounds for the head only greatly hampered the sale of it as a hand-crank portable machine.

The VS #3 was a ¾ size machine that was an exact scaled-down version of the VS #2 and its lighter weight made it a perfect fit for the portable market. Out of curiosity, I tried in vain to find the true weight of a VS #3. Upon failing to do so I decided I would weigh my 1891 Model # 28 in its mahogany coffin case. Fully dressed and ready to carry it weighs 29.5 pounds. I can’t weigh just the head without removing the tiny screws holding the welded cabinet-type hinges from the wooden case.

Singer 27, Singer 127, Singer 28, Singer 128 Serial Number Location

If you’re curious where to find the serial number on your Singer 27 treadle sewing machine, we can help! This helpful guide will show you exactly where to locate it. Plus, learn a little bit about the history of this iconic machine.

Serial number on Singer 27 sewing machine

Introduction of Singer 127 & Singer 128

In 1891 the VS #2 and #3 were revised again. They were re-introduced as Model # 27 (full size) and Model # 28 (3/4 size). They would remain on the market as such until 1910 at which time they would undergo their final revision and would be re-introduced as the Model # 127 (full size) and the Model # 128 (3/4 size). It appears as though in 1917 both machines could be ordered with add-on motor and light kits. Singer continued to produce these machines until 1960 which makes them some of the longest-running production models for the home consumer ever.