An original Singer 20 child’s sewing machine is now on display at the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum. Despite its compact size, the Singer 20 functions like a full-sized sewing machine creating simple chain stitches. Well-engineered with a cast iron body requiring just 40 components, this machine uses a short 24×1 needle which has a flat shank fitted to the right so that the needle is threaded from left to right.
This tiny sewing machine was first produced in 1910 and made at the Elizabeth factory in New Jersey. It was originally sold as a toy before later being marketed as a portable adult sewing machine. The Singer 20 was the most successful toy sewing machine ever produced, coming in black, red, and blue– with the colored models being the most sought after today. It was sold until the 1970’s with a few updates throughout the years but virtually no change to its basic engineering.
It was updated in the 1950s and known as the Singer Sewhandy. The Sewhandy, a slightly chunkier machine, was popular for another 20 years and came in the classic black model as well as rarer colors like red, beige, and blue. Both the 20 and Sewhandy were even copied by other manufacturers with many fakes still being on the market.
This specific Singer 20 was likely made after 1926 as the threading numbers can be seen stamped on the machine– a minor modification added in 1926. This iconic machine has captivated generations of young minds and has become a sought-after item among vintage enthusiasts. Its durable cast iron construction and unique design make it a prized collectible.
