Early Singer 15. Everything you need to know. Introduction to and threading a Singer 15-30 and 15-80

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Two years ago I made a video on the early Singer class 15 sewing machines.
I was not happy with my own work, so I reshot and re-edited it into this.
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The Singer class 15 has been around for... like forever. They are almost unbreakable.
But what I you’re not familiar with those old machines and want to sew for the very first time?
How to wind a bobbin, thread the machine and everything until the first time sewing.
My goal was to make a complete tutorial about that early class 15-model range.
Did I miss something? Please let me know in the comments below.
PS. Do you have a more MODERN version, like the 15-88, 15-89, 15-91 or even the 15-75 / 15-125?
Remember that the needle sits and thread goes in the opposite direction.
I have separate videos on those machines as well.
I have multiple vids online on Singer sewing machines. Feel free to watch more…
Featured machine:
A beautiful, and working, 1919 Singer 15k30
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro/ start
2:22 Winding a bobbin
4:03 Threading a 15
5:10 Extra info & maintenance
Used royalty free soundtrack/music:
Silently Storming - Birocratic
Zula - Mini Vandals
Beartooth Strangleheart - Birocratic
(#youtube #audiolibrary)
Gear:
Camera: Sony PDW680 broadcast camcorder
Light: SmallRig RC-120b
Voice-over recorder: Tascam DR60D-MII
Software: Final Cut Pro x
Main FCPx-plugins: dpred.gumroad.com/
Note: English is not my native language. My sincere apologies for any mispronunciations!

[@fb9436]

Hi Erik. My name is Frederic and i live in the south of France. I 've got a singer 15k from 1921, that belonged to my grand morher. I m restoring it. I hope we can talk about it someday. Thanks for your channel !!! I felt very happy to find someone likr you talking about that sewing machine. Carry on ! Frederic

[@erikneek]

Hi Frederic, Glad you like my videos! The goal of the channel is to help people with the vintage Singer sewing machines. The class 15's are amazing strong machines. I'm happy for you that you have a nice Singer 15. I hope you have a wonderful day, Erik (NL)

[@fb9436]

Thanks for your tips about how to clean, too...

[@emiyamazaki]

I just got one from a friend's old aunt ... can't wait to try it out!

[@erikneek]

Hi Emi. Congratulations on your Singer 15. The class 15 is a very good machine, very capable and forgiving. Enjoy!

[@maddoochamow]

LOVED IT! Thank ou very much! I just acquired one, and I'm fond of it! :)

[@erikneek]

I'm glad I was able to help you. Enjoy your Singer 15!!!

[@blissfulidiot9856]

Awesome video. Really helpful

[@erikneek]

Thank you, I'm so glad I was able to help you. Enjoy your Singer!

[@stephanieh133]

Wonderful job, so glad I've come across your videos. Your English is fantastic by the way (I saw your last remark in the notes)

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much Stephanie! I'm glad you like the videos. I want to finish the 319k-video but I have a lot of machines waiting in line 🙂 Well, regarding my English: Some sentences are made with multiple takes voiceover. Up to 5 takes per sentence. Practice makes... perfect? Great to hear you don't dislike my English. Have a great day and take care!!!

[@Momcat6]

Thank you, this is so helpful!

[@erikneek]

You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help you.

[@alicearmen5601]

I really love your videos❤

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much! You made my day!!!

[@user-uy9jo9iv3b]

Thankyou, really helpful.

[@erikneek]

Thank you for your message! Glad I was able to help you. Enjoy your Singer model 15!

[@vaccavo]

Many thanks. Mystery solved as to where the thread goes. I have two JA's and two JB's. Guess onde of them is a 15-30, because the bobbin winder is the same. I'm glad I have found out.

[@erikneek]

I'm glad my videos were helpful to you. Take care and a marry Xmas!

[@myauntsue]

great video, thank you! do you happen to know the simanco part # for the bobbin case, please?

[@erikneek]

Hi, thanks for reaching out. There are many variations of the Singer 15. There are also some changes in the bobbin case. Best is to search for the parts manual for YOUR Singer 15 submodel. In that parts list you can find the Simanco part number. The manuals can be found online, but also in the files section of most FB groups on vintage Singer sewing machines. Good luck!

[@identifiantnonpris]

Thank yoooou And, question: can we make "back stitches" with it? If yes, how ? Thank you!!

[@erikneek]

Hi! I'm glad you liked the video. These old Singer class 15 models do not have a back stitch lever. Some later class 15 models do have a backstitch lever (like the 15-88, 15-91 and others). However you can do a backstitch by turning your projects at the beginning and at the end and sew in the opposite direction, back again. There is probably also another way, but I'm not aware of any other method. Take care and good luck with you Singer class 15!

[@francenebrown2423]

What model 15 came with a motor and thigh presser foot? I was just gifted one in the original table that sews beautifully but needs maintenance. I’m trying to figure out the cleaning part without causing damage. All model 15 videos I’ve found show hand cranks or treadle. My machine has a motor with a 1:00 bobbin and no reverse or dropping feed dogs. This machine was made in USA NJ, where I live, in 1925. Your videos are the best! Please keep making them! Thank You!

[@erikneek]

Hi Francene. Thank you for watching and thank you for your comment. Congratulations with you Singer model/class 15. It's hard to determine the submodel number. Most important is the arm of the bobbin case. But you already know that 🙂 Many old Singers have been modified in the decades after they were build, like adding a bolt-on motor. Most 1925 Singer machines did not have such a motor, so that as PROBABLY added later. Many features and inner mechanics were the same. So every Singer 15 is a true BEAST. I like them a lot. I hope you will have a lot of fun using your Singer 15! PS. Thank you for you compliments. Glad you like my videos! I will certainly make some more videos, such as new versions of the Singer 128, Singer 99, but also the 185, 78, 12 and 20-10. Currently finishing the videos on the Singer 319. Have a great 2024!

[@ramanabulusu4175]

Is Singer 15 sewing machine capable of “ reverse stitching “ ?

[@jreese8284]

@@ramanabulusu4175 no, you have to stop with the needle in the fabric, lift the foot, spin the fabric around, and stitch a couple stitches to lock. Or you can just cut a long thread at the end of your sewing and tie a knot by hand.

[@shagull9159]

Can singer em690238 be fit on foot treadle stand?

[@erikneek]

Hi! Thank you for your message. I searched that serial number - It should be a model 15k. Every Singer 15 is a full sized machine, and NOT a 3/4 sized machine, like the 99, 185 and 128. So if you have a table or cabinet in which you want to use is, make sure that table or cabinet was meant for a full sized machine. In other words: If you have a treadle stand for a Singer 128 your Singer 15 will not fit, the hole is too small. I hope this answers your question. Take care and good luck!

[@fb9436]

Are you from Nederlands or Belgium?

[@clementihammock7572]

I have a 15-31 from NJ, USA, 2 more years is 100. Hooooohaaaaa.

[@erikneek]

Congratulations!

[@user-zx9cf6xb4q]

​@@erikneek I have singer 15-30 from Podolsk with soviet decals. It has special stamp over original serial number. Anyway other original singers from Podolsk (28k for example) cannot identified on websites/apps.

[@erikneek]

@@user-zx9cf6xb4q I would love to see that 15-30 from Podolsk :-) (That was/is near Moscow, correct?) So sorry that the Soviet machines cannot be identified. Enjoy your machines, take care

[@user-zx9cf6xb4q]

@@erikneek My two 28k not soviet and they made before WW1 I guess. The first soviet singers have the original Singer Podolsk serial numbers, some of them have original decals, some of them have a "soviet" decals. Anyway I have different 15-30 on hands and this one cannot identified because made after "rebranding" and build from new parts (parts without simanco stamps). I create photo album on a google and put link here (or send to your email).

[@user-zx9cf6xb4q]

Restoration of this machine is kinda stuck. Album photos.app.goo.gl/R3K9qm7g5gPbUhHE9

[@JCMcC916]

What kind of artwork is that?

[@erikneek]

Hi! What do you mean, the plugins I use for titles? Or something else?

[@WalkingScriptureWithShanna]

I have a model 15 from 1910

[@erikneek]

Nice! Do you know what submodel it is? Is it a 15-30 like this one?

[@WalkingScriptureWithShanna]

@erik neek I cannot find a sub model number based on the serial number. It’s simply listed as model 15

[@erikneek]

@@WalkingScriptureWithShanna You're right, the submodel is not stamped on the machine. The class 15 have many variations. It has been in production for 100yrs or so. Search for 'Singer 15 comparisons' and you'll find a list of models. Only if you want to know more ... ;-) Good luck. All the best, Erik PS. I'll make a video on that topic soon...

[@franseezel]

Hoi Erik, dank je wel voor je video over het inrijgen van de Singer 15-30 trapnaaimachine (tafel). Onlangs heb ik er één uit Duitsland op gehaald. Deze heeft Tiffany decals. In Nederland zie je ze niet zoveel, in Duitsland des te meer. Het inrijgen gaat dus heel anders zie ik dan bij de Singer 128. De naaimachine met naaimachine olie schoongemaakt. Naait prachtig, maar maakt een tikkend geluid. De oorzaak probeer ik nu op te sporen.... Nogmaals bedankt!