Singer 15-88 Treadle
Singer Manufacturing Company, Model 15-88 treadle sewing machine
Provenance and History
This Singer treadle sewing machine was purchased January 2026 in Devon, Alberta.
The machine was furnished with an electric motor, indicating adaptation during its working life, though the power cord and foot pedal were absent at the time it entered care.
Beyond this point of transfer, the specific circumstances of its earlier ownership and use are not fully documented. The absence of a complete record is historically meaningful. Machines like this were common fixtures in homes across North America, used daily for clothing repair, garment construction, and household production, and often passed through generations without written record.
That this machine remains intact suggests long-term care and continued usefulness, even as newer technologies became available.
Condition and Evidence of Use
The cabinet for this machine was painted with a milk-white finish and used as an entry table for many years.
The machine shows very light wear to the decals and surfaces consistent with light sewing.
The veneer shows some wear at the edges but is 95% intact. The machine had little residue build-up, indicating care in storage and maintenance over its 80-year life.
Current Status
Status: In care
Location: The Sewing Machine Orphanage, Devon, Alberta
Stewardship Notes
The cabinet for this machine was stripped and refinished with Tung oil to a high-gloss shine that shows the unique colours and textures of the veneer.
The machine itself was serviced and oiled. The electric motor was removed and a leather belt driven by the treadle was installed.
Resources and References
Singer 15-88 & 15-89 Manual
Singer 15-88 & 15-89 Instruction Manual (PDF)
Original instruction manual for the reversible feed, lock stitch Singer 15-88 and 15-89 treadle and electric models, available through the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society archive.
International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society (ISMACS)
About ISMACS
ISMACS is the leading international authority on early sewing machine history, founded in 1985 by a small group of English collectors, and now with members across every continent. The organization maintains the world's finest archive of sewing machine manuals, advertisements, patents, and historical documents—all available to members. ISMACS is recognized and regularly consulted by media, museums, and institutions worldwide. The Society produces a professional magazine featuring research findings, restoration tips, auction details, and detailed histories of pioneering sewing machine companies. Members benefit from annual conventions, auctions, and a welcoming community of world-leading collectors dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of sewing machines.