Singer 306 Sewing Machine Demonstration
Today we are looking at the Singer 306 vintage sewing machine. The Singer 306 may be listed as a 306W, 306K, 306M and just 306. The 306 is Paul’s favorite machine we have both a W and a K. The 306 is interesting because while it is listed as being made in Connecticut (W), UK (K), and Italy (M) the parts inside the machine may be marked from all those locations and others. The letter designates where the machine was assembled.
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Table of Contents
- When was my machine made?
- What needles & bobbins do I need?
- How much is my sewing machine worth?
- How do I wind a bobbin or thread my sewing machine?
When Was My Singer 306 Made?
The Singer 306 was first introduced in 1954 and ended production in 1962. The 306 is an upgrade to the Singer 206. You can look up when your sewing machine serial number was allocated using the serial number and ISMACS serial number database.
Needles and Bobbins For The 306
The 306 takes a 206×13 needle. It also takes a type L bobbin and a special bobbin case. There are people who modify the bobbin and give instructions on how to retime your sewing machine so that you can use a standard 15×1 needle. We do not recommend that course of action. The needles, bobbins, and bobbin cases are easily found online today and it is always best to keep a vintage sewing machine in original condition.
Value of a Singer 306 Sewing Machine
I really hate writing this section because there is no “good” answer. There are way too many factors at play when it comes to the valuation of any antique or vintage sewing machine. Our rule of thumb is to never spend more than you are comfortable spending or more than the enjoyment you will get out of the machine. For more information please read our post about shopping for vintage sewing machines.
Winding a Bobbin & Threading A Singer 306
As you will see in the video below winding the bobbin and threading the machine is straight-forward. The downside of this sewing machine is putting the bobbin in the machine. It is so akward and I’m not sure why Singer thought this was a good way to do it.
Using The 306
Now that we have it threaded and ready to go let’s sew!! The 306 originally came with 6 pattern discs but since it uses the same discs as my Merritt 2404 we can use all of those. The 306K22 and 306K23 do not use the pattern discs.
FAQ About the Singer 306 sewing machine
I want to cover some of the most asked questions but always feel free to email us any questions you might have.
Can I treadle the Singer 306 sewing machines?
YES!! You will need to take the external motor off but our 306W has spent most of its life in our house a treadle sewing machine. It fits in our Singer treadle tables with no issues.
What’s the difference between the 306 and the 319?
The 319 has built in stitches that you select using “typewriter” keys. The basic functions remain the same including the bobbin, bobbin case, and needles. The Singer 320 is the free arm version of the 319 but had a short production run. Both the 319 and 320 were made from 1956-1962.
Where is my serial number?
As I mention above you can find out when your machine was allocated by looking up the serial number. Unlike other Singer sewing machines you might be familiar with the serial number is not located on the bed of the machine. It is underneath the machine as shown below.
How do I get a manual for my Singer 306?
Singer has digitized the majority of the manuals for their old sewing machines. You can get the manual here, the first entry marked 306_306W.