Introduction to and threading a Singer 15k88, 15-90 and 15-91. First time sewing

This video is about a later style model 15, the 15-88 (or 15k88 for models built in Kilbowie) with reverse stitching and dropped feed dogs.
How to operate a Singer model 15k88 / 15-88 domestic sewing machine?
Starting by winding a bobbin, threading and up to the (very first time) sewing with this awesome machine!
The class 15 is in production for 100 years. There are many, many, MANY variations of basically the same model. All have an oscillating race beneath the sewing bed.
The vast majority use the class 15-style bobbins. The 15x1 needles were designed for this model and are now the standard, also known as 2020 or 130/705H.
All model 15’s are domestic sewing machines. The model 16 is the industrial version of the domestic sewing machine, as are the 15-28, 15-29. However, many other industrial machines share the same principle and characteristics such as the models 31 and thus share many benefits of the model 15, but with the tension unit on the operators side.
I will show you how to everything. To do that, I used a late model 15k88 (1955).
In that machine the flat side of the needle is facing outside (left) and the thread passes through the needle from right to left.
Watch the thread hook just above the needle. That is a good indication: is the hook on the left side? Then the thread should travel from left to right.
Link to a (new) video on the older Singer 15k30: • Early Singer 15. Every...
I have multiple vids online on Singer sewing machines. Feel free to watch more…
Featured machines:
Like new 1952 Singer 15k88
And some other 15k-models I filmed earlier
Timestamps:
0:00 General info
0:38 Availability & prices
1:14 Capabilities
2:22 Bobbins and needles
2:58 Winding a bobbin
3:40 Threading a 15k88
4:50 Extra info and maintenance
Used royalty free soundtrack/music:
Soul Searching
Where to _
Staycation
#youtubeaudiolibrary
Check these sites for more info on the 15-class Singers:
needlebar.org/main/15chart/
sewingmachineclub.com/singer-...
www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/15/
ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machi...
ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machi...
Gear:
Sony PDW680 broadcast camcorder
(Might be I used a Canon 5D-mark II for additional footage.)
Note: English is not my native language. My sincere apologies for any mispronunciations!

[@Al_Gepe]

I will never understand why your channel hasn't blown up yet. I'm tired of watching bad quality videos with worse audio about sewing. These are the best quality vintage sewing machine videos on KZbin!

[@dennisepagel3361]

Just got a 15K88 and have (had) no clue…thx so much

[@erikneek]

Congratulations on your vintage Singer. Great machines, especially the 15k88. Perhaps the first of many you will own, hahaha. Glad to hear you liked the video. Good luck and enjoy your Singer!

[@ellisralph7520]

Your video is so carefully crafted to such high quality; it is easy for a viewer to take for granted, but every instruction step is shown with a separate, well-focused, close-up, optimally illuminated shot. What a lot of work! but this high-quality of presentation makes every point perfectly clear, and simple to understand. Thank you for presenting such wonderfully high-quality content. The most beautiful filming -- no-one is in second place!

[@erikneek]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR! It means the world to me that people like the videos and I was able to help them understand the machine they have acquired. You're right, it is a lot of work (in my too small attic), carefully choosing the shot I need for the narrative. It is sometimes a pain when filming a machines that... doesn't play along like my 319k. Have such a nice comment makes my day. Correction: it makes my year 🙂! Have a great day and I hope you'd like my next video about the 15-1 IF too. (Up on YT in about a week.) Cheers, Erik

[@richardbenedetti3638]

c'est vrai que c'est très bien filmé avec une belle qualité de vidéo bien éclairé et la mise au point impeccable! on sent l'application pour un visuel compréhensible! beau boulot Mr j'avoue! et cette machine à coudre est superbe!!! j'en ai une également et j'en suis ravis!!!

[@petercampbell3828]

Very informative video. It's a shame so many of these great old machines are collecting dust. They are not only functional, but also beautiful. Thanks for including the threading!

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much Peter! I have separate short videos coming up on the threading part of all the machines I filmed earlier. Including a video on the threading path only of this Singer 15k88. Probably later this month. Have a great day, Erik

[@AleMagalhaes]

Ours Singer 15 just completed a century, it was made in 1924 in Canada and is complete with cabinet, pedal, this same black motor from the video, and still running great. Slightly more wore out than this from the video, but still pretty.

[@erikneek]

Hi, thank you so much for your message. The class 15 is such a great machine. Congratulations on yours and its birthday ;-) Those machines are sooooooo durable and tough, yours will probably survive yet another century. Enjoy your Singer 15!

[@ilaeoa]

You have extremely well-preserved machine, I envy you

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much! You should visit The Netherlands :-))) There are many excellent 15k88's still out there.

[@TightwadWorkshop]

Hello from Australia Erik, and I'd also like to compliment you for your high-quality cinematography! Today I purchased a 1947 model 15K in a "compact treadle cabinet" for AUD$50, and now I know enough to thread it up and try it out. I was delighted to hear you call this model "the tank", because I plan to use it for sewing heavy canvas. 🙂

[@erikneek]

Hi from The Netherlands. Thank you so much for your message. It means the world to me that I can help someone. Again, thank you! You did well... a 15k for 50 AUSD is an absolute steal! Although it is an absolute beast, it is not an industrial machine. It can sew through thick materials as long as you have a hand crank or a treadle. The small motor is often not powerful enough - The machines were build for domestic use. But for an occasional small project it might do the job. If you want do work more often and you need more power, you might want a heavier machine for industrial use. They are larger, heavier and with a more powerful (HUGE!) motor underneath. You can swap that motor for a new servo motor (500Watts or so). Enjoy your 15k. I've had many and they are GREAT. You almost cannot break them 🙂 Take care and have a great weekend! Erik

[@TightwadWorkshop]

@@erikneek This one is fitted to a compact treadle cabinet base, I think it's sometimes called a "Parlour Case". I'll probably feature it in a "restoration" video on my channel sometime, although since my viewers seem more interested in woodwork the focus will be on restoring the cabinet. 🙂

[@erikneek]

@@TightwadWorkshop Following your channel. Good luck restoring your machine. I think there is a Facebook group dedicated to the cabinets and tables, but can't remember which one... 😕 Cheers, Erik

[@lawrencethompson465]

Truly a first rate well thought out and most helpful video. Thank you!

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much Lawrence! You made my day ;-)

[@richardbenedetti3638]

hello Erik! je suis Français et je viens de faire l'acquisition d'une 15B "portative" ou presque, à un pris dérisoire 50€, (53,323748 Dollars) avec le moteur d'origine en 110V, et ici en France nos prises électrique fournissent du 220V. j'ai du donc chercher dans la remise de mon vieux père un transformateur pour pouvoir l'alimenter sans changer de moteur. après dégraissage, re-huilée elle tourne comme une horloge Suisse!!! l'ampoule est aussi d'origine avec un filament que je n'avais encore jamais vu et elle aussi fonctionne encore! incroyable lol je suis heureux comme un gamin! mais par contre je ne sais pas du tout de qu'elle année elle a été produite. son n° de série est le SA 64 66 58. petit bonus, en dessous, dans le socle, une première page de journal de mai 1968... une vrai capsule temporel wow! voila je voulais vous en faire part! bonne continuation à vous, d'un jeune couturier (49 ans) que je suis devenu par la force des accidents de la vie professionnel. 😉👍

[@erikneek]

Hello Richard. Congratulations on your Singer 15B! 50 euros is a good price. Does it have a reverse, such as the model 15-88? The class 15 is a really nice system. I'm sure I will have a lot of fun with it! Good to hear you got it running. You can change the light bulb for a LED bulb. PROBABLY type 15BA (bayonet connection), if I'm not mistaken. (Be careful when removing the old bulb!) There are a couple of variations, so buy 2 of them in case the first doesn't fit exactly ;-) Unfortunately the records of the French factory have been lost, so dating your machine is very hard (near impossible). But I hope you'll enjoy your machine for a long time. Take care!

[@richardbenedetti3638]

@@erikneek Merci Mr Erik content de voir que mon commentaire ne soit pas passez inaperçu! 😁

[@victoriamartinez4008]

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@ladoguerie]

Very nice vidéo thank you!

[@vonibrown923]

Lol... I have the exact same coloured croc case but it houses a 1955 201K3 in it. Yes .. I did double check it, the only difference is the stratus front plate & my tension is to the front ... Mine was pretty much clean, decal hardly any wear & the pedal had been rewired from the original flat brown wiring to a very fine white & clear cabling ( now rewired again )... When I answered the advert it was listed as a 99K & I got her for AU$50.00 ..oops .. but I was after a 3/4 size 99K with a spoke flywheel.. lol.. I didn’t know it was a 201K3 then but did comment to myself as I walked down a steep driveway carrying this case that “ gees.. this is as one heavy machine for a 99K & it reminded me of the heavy weight my other 201K2 in the bentwood knee lever case”... Went to a friends place to show of my sewing machine find & that’s when it was discovered by us that in fact by its original booklet that’s it’s a 201... oops... & I only paid AU50.00 ...lol I was later that after researching I found out it was in fact the 201K3 model I had .. all original ( as I wasn’t sure if the spoke flywheel was original to the machine as I haven’t seen this model yet) & learned it was all originally for this model ... lol The croc case is in excellent condition considering it’s been in a backyard garage for 8 years before I bought it a month ago ( April 2022).. I’m going to use her as a hand crank mainly & I will still retain all the motor & pedal system if I need to convert it back ( just adding a reproduction singer crank for her..)... Where the 201K3 ( as it has a spoke flywheel ever fitted as a crank only to start with or was this by 1955 & buyer option having the crank supplied & adding a motor & pedal system at an additional cost..?

[@erikneek]

That is a nice story Voni. I have a late model 201 in a croc case too, a aluminum 201k mark 2. But to be honest...: the croc case belonged to a late Italian 15m (butcher block design). But I liked the case too much, in pristine condition. I bought the 201 a year prior to that for 75 euros. It was a treadle machine and was used A LOT. Very dirty, never cleaned but mechanical in good condition. I updated the 201 by fitting a new motor (and a light bulb I had lying around). Now that lightweight 201k is one of my favorite machines (ever made). It is so lightweight I can almost carry it with... a couple of fingers :-) Again a ' but' : I have an original 201 from 1939 too. It is LIKE NEW! Even better anyone could imagine. Still, both are excellent. I was confused about your comment you have a 201 with the tension on front. With a tension unit mounted on the faceplate you ALWAYS have a model 15. Did you mean you have it on the faceplate or just above the needle on the arch? If I remember correctly there was a question in your post. Something about extra's. As far as I know Singer sold the machines with optional extras which you had to pay for. I guess a motor was such an extra, so the hand crack could have been standard. If you really want to know more, you should consider joining a Facebook group on Singer Vintage & Antique sewing machines. Take care, Erik

[@chadweber3861]

This helps a little, but still very confused. I didn't know where the bobbin came from at first and I still don't know how to put it back in

[@erikneek]

Hi Chad, I'm so sorry to hear this video was not helpful to you. The bobbin is underneath the machine, in the race section. It is in the bobbin case/holder. Have you been able to find that device/part? I also have some videos on the threading and bobbin winding specific. Maybe that helps... How can I assist you further? Good luck.

[@chadweber3861]

@@erikneek I'm new to all of it, but I figured it out! Thank you!

[@sewsew100]

Lovely video. I have a Singer 15 88 but it needs a good clean. Your machine is like new. Did you clean the machine or did you find one in such good condition? If you did clean it, it would be fantastic if you could do a short video on how you got the machine looking so good.

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much for your comment. Mine was perfect as it was, all shiny. There are a few videos on YT on polishing a Singer sewing machine. I just finished a (Dutch) video on applying sewing machine oil - Not yet published. In my opinion sewing machine oil is the best way to clean a sewing machine, since the lacquer finish was made to deal with that oil; There is no chemical reaction. However the oil makes the lacquer somewhat... soft. So don't rub too hard. Have a great day, Erik

[@boxgirl51]

How to tell which 15 model one has? All I can find on mine is 15k made in Scotland 1949.

[@erikneek]

Hi there, thank you for your message. In the 100 yrs of production over 100 different submodes were made of the Singer class 15.. I have a separate video on that topic. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4apgIt4oNiMndk) There is also an article on needlebar.org --> search for Singer 15 comparisons. Good luck!

[@djdutch87]

Ik heb een soort gelijke machine, ik weet alleen niet waar ik de juiste smering voor de motor kan vinden. Begreep dat dit een soort langzaam smeltend vet moest zijn.

[@erikneek]

Goedemorgen, wat leuk dat je een oude Singer hebt. Er lijken 2 'kampen' zijn; de mensen die wel de motor smeren en degene die dat niet doen. Onder die laatste groep valt Alex Askarof ook, iemand die al decennia met die oude machines werkt. Zijn voorstel: De motor loskoppelen van de machine en op hoge snelheid laten lopen. Dat moet voldoende zijn. Ik ben nu al 5 jaar intensief met naaimachines bezig en heb nog nooit een motor gesmeerd. Dus eigenlijk ben ik niet de aangewezen persoon om je verder te helpen 🙂 Bij The Feartherweight Shop verkopen ze vet voor de motor, volgens mij vindt je op hun site ook uitleg (in een blog?) over het smeren van de motor. Wellicht een idee om daar even te gaan kijken? Succes!

[@autumn_gryffindor]

Thank you for the instructional video! Just wondering how often you need to oil the machine?

[@erikneek]

Hello Autumn. How often to oil your machine depends on how often you use it. In an ideal world you oil it quickly before every project. When you're familiair with your sewing machine you can even notice when it needs oil. I use the oil pen by Prym. When I start with a new project (or when one of my machines has been sitting for some time), I put some oil in the oiling holes and behind the front cover plate. Only when I think it can use more oil I do it completely. Hope this helps. Good luck, Erik

[@autumn_gryffindor]

@@erikneek thank you so much for the reply!

[@fredguerra4917]

Excellent videos. Thank you for taking the time to produce them. I have been looking for a nice hand crank 15-98. I want to take advantage of slowing down the speed of the machine. I was wondering about some incredible information regarding this machine. Is it true that when hand crank the 15-98 can triple the penetration power? What do you think? Is it fiction?

[@erikneek]

Hi Fred. I'm so glad you like my videos! To be honest Im not familiar with the Singer 15-98. The last hand crank Singer 15 I had was a Singer 15-88 (and a 15m before that). I never heard a story about an 3x increasing power. However, a bolt-on motor give only a little power and little strength. The bolt-on motor of a Singer 15 is adequate for many applications, but if you want more 'power' a hand crank is better to have. (But with a hand crank you have a hand less for your project.) Although there are limits to what the internal parts of a domestic machine can handle. There are limitations. If you NEED more power you might want to acquire a vintage industrial machine. They are larger and heavier, but with a external motor you can sew through heavier materials. Good luck. Erik

[@fredguerra4917]

@@erikneek Thanks for responding to my question. I meant to write 15k88. Sorry for the confusion.

[@erikneek]

@@fredguerra4917 Hi! The 15-88 is a very capable machine. The 15-89 is the hand crank version of the 15-88 and 15-91. What do you want to sew with it?

[@scottsews]

Hi do you have a 15k28? I just got one and can find nothing about it!

[@erikneek]

That's an early one. Nice! No, unfortunately I haven't got one. Perhaps someone on the facebook group 'Vintage & Antique Singer Machines & Products' has one. There is a lot of knowledge in that group. (+ The file section over there holds many manuals. ) Hope that helps! Take care and good luck, Erik