LiseCecile

I know nothing about sewing machines. I just bought this . I wanted a treadle machine and do si ple sewing. It seems it is more complicated than that.
the serial number is 7983052. I am in Canada. From some research i di ( after the buying ! ) , i think it is a VS 1 … from 1888.
Fiddle bed 14 5/8 inches .
i include the picture of the needle that was on it.
it is written Singer 100/16 ( i guess its 16 )
that is the only needle i have with it.

bkay

I don't have an answer for you. Janey will be along soon. Someone in one of the vintage sewing machine groups has figured out a work around. Janey is familiar with it. I'm not.
It's a holiday weekend, so it might be Monday before she drops by.
bkay

OurWorkbench

Welcome to Quilting Board.

Yes, that machine uses the commonly available sewing machine needles. The 100 is the metric measurement of the shank. That is a larger needle for heavier material. There is a lot of information on the web about needles and the corresponding thread and fabric to be used. Here is a link to a chart that a lot of Singer manuals had http://web.archive.org/web/201102250...g_needles.html Some other links that may be helpful.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130910...didyouknow.htm
https://www.flickr.com/photos/toriejayne/24045388550/
https://www.ageberry.com/sewing-machine-needles-types/
https://www.ageberry.com/sewing-mach...zes-explained/
There are a couple of threads on another forum that have some good information one is called "Thread size, needle size, and stitches per inch in ye Olde Days" and another is "Does anyone understand Coats & Clark thread designations?"

There is a sticky thread here How to Clean Up and use a vintage sewing machine - videos by Muv and Fav

There is a manual available for your machine at https://www.manualslib.com/manual/10...inger-Vs1.html

Congratulations on getting a treadle sewing machine and have fun.

LiseCecile

Thanks a lot! I was doing some research on the net, and i have found that this machine uses needles 20 x 1, that are not available anymore.
i will watch the videos and the articles you suggested and graciously put the links on.
i keep watching Youtube videos and learning .
i will start to dust and then clean the machine, clean when i will get some sewing machine oil.
thank you for your responses !
PS i am from Quebec, and sometimes i know my english may be not correct . I can read it very well though.

WIChix

May I suggest you try the 100*16 needle before you order the 20*1s? Just on a piece of scrap fabric (cotton woven), two layers, with a cotton thread. Please let us know how it goes.

LiseCecile

Thank you. Actually that is the needle the machine came with. I was not sure if it was right.

Farmhousesewer

Clarification, the 100/16 is the size of the needle The 100 is metric, the 16 is US designation also referred to as the Singer designation. The needle is a 15x1.

I don't think your machine takes a 20x1. May I ask where you found that information?
Hope I can help.

Farmhousesewer

I believe your machinevis a VS2 rather than a VS 1. The stitch length knobs is on the pillar, not the bed.
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...g_shuttle.html

These Singers take a 15x1 needle, not a 20x1. The needle in your picture is definitely a modern Singer needle. I am not saying you have to use a Singer needles. You can use Groz Beckert, Organ or other brands in Canada.

LiseCecile

Thank you Maria. Yes, it is very helpful. I will look closely to the ismacs.com chart in the link you gave.
I am so grateful i have responses and now i look forward for my mail.
i cannot remember where i found what i tought i needed 20x1 needles. Too many informations i started gathering from everywhere in thhe Net and did not digest or read completely .
Now, i was so unnerved i would have difficulty finding needles for the VS2, or thinkering with them … that i bought another machine ! ( not too bad,though since each machine cost me 50$ ) and a 15-something, to be sure i would use 15 needles …
Very hard to date the machine. The serial number is K1041.499. The seller swore it was the same machine as the manual that came with it, but it can’t be ! From the look of the tension thinghy think it is a 15.
i consider myself very lucky to have an old Singer manual, and treasure : taped in it , was an original Singer envelope with needles in it, plus there was the manual ‘ Family sewing simplified ´ wedged in it !
i will send pictures in the following message because i don’twant to lose again what i wrote
Lise from the Appalachians in Quebec

LiseCecile

Here are the pictures for the swcond machine i bought, thinking i would have difficultyfinding needles for the VS2.
i am having a hard time dating machines. And i am still learning how to identify models.
thank you for the links you sent me.
LiseCecile