Singer 24 Chain Stitch Sewing Machine

The Model 24 was Singer’s main product for the chain stitch sewing machine market. The 24 was a single thread rotary hook machine with a width of just 10" and a gap of 5" between the needle and the arm. Although the model 24 was primarily intended as an industrial machine, it was quite uniquely at times also marketed as a domestic machine, and even as a toy machine for children.

Singer 24-51

Model 24-50 (photo courtesy of Lynn Kenan)

The Singer 24 was renowned for being compact, quiet and with light running qualities. These machines produced a decorative chain stitch, which when used with coarse thread, resembled braid. This made the machine popular for millinery, underwear, neck ties etc, and for applying decoration onto clothing and draperies.

Before Singer switched from using descriptive names to Class Numbers during 1891, the 24 was marketed as the 'Automatic Chain Stitcher'.

The model 24 machines were produced mainly at the Elizabethport, New Jersey factory between 1888 and the 1940’s, although a few were also made at the Kilbowie factory in Scotland. The machines were available with either automatic or plain tension adjustment. In it’s industrial guise, the Singer 24 was available in a number of sub-designs depending upon it’s intended application.

Instead of the regular bright plated cloth plates a few of the later Singer 24 models were provided with painted black plates which were adorned with the Red Berry decals.

Singer 24-51

Black Cloth Plate (photo by Wolfgang's Collectibles)

Singer 24 variants

Model Features
 
24-1 DOMESTIC - manual tension, treadle
24-2 DOMESTIC - manual tension, hand crank
24-3 Automatic tension, 8-30 stitches/inch
24-4 2 needles, 2 loopers, auto-tension, treadle
24-5 As model 24-3 but with plain tension, treadle
24-6 Plain tension, 3/16" stitch, treadle
24-7 Plain tension, 4-12 stitches/inch, treadle
24-8 As 24-2 with 2 needles , 2 loopers, plain tension and 1/16" - 5/8" stitch
24-9 Automatic tension, side plaiting attachment, knee lifter
24-10 Plain tension with power tucker
24-11 As 24-10 with power tucker, but with automatic tension
24-12 Automatic tension with adjustable gathering feed
24-13 Automatic tension with adjustable gathering feed, treadle
24-14 Automatic tension, driven tuck marker
24-17 For folding (1/8, 3/16, 1/4) & crimping edge. No stitch mechanism, treadle or hand crank
24-19 Plain tension for plaiting, treadle
24-21 Plain tension, 2 needles, 2 loopers, 4-12 stitches/inch
24-23 Plain tension with ruffler, treadle
24-24 DOMESTIC - automatic tension
24-26 Automatic tension, 8-30 stitches/inch, treadle
24-29 As 24-23 plain tension with ruffler, but 2 needles, 2 loopers
24-30 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, hand crank
24-31 Plain tension, 8-30 stitches/inch, treadle
24-32 As 24-32 but with automatic tension, treadle
24-33 Plain tension, 4-12 stitches/inch for cap work, treadle
24-34 Plain tension with driven tuck marker, treadle
24-35  
24-36 Plain tension 2 needles, 2 loopers, 8-30 stitches/inch, treadle
24-37 Automatic tension, 2 needles, 2 loopers, 8-30 stitches/inch, treadle
24-38 Automatic tension with driven tuck marker
24-39 Automatic tension, 8-30 stitches/inch for umbrella seaming, treadle
24-50 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, treadle
24-51 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, hand crank
24-52 Automatic tension, 8-30 stitches/inch for umbrella seaming, treadle
24-53 Plain tension, 8-30 stitches/inch, treadle
24-54 Automatic tension for picot edging, treadle
24-55 Plain tension, 2 needles, 2 loopers, 8-30 stitches/inch for caps, treadle
24-56 For caps, treadle
24-57 For womens hats, treadle
24-60 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, treadle
24-61 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, hand crank, black cloth plate
24-62 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, with BT motor in case, black cloth plate
24-63 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, with BT motor, in table, black cloth plate
24-65 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, with BU motor and Singerlight, in case, black cloth plate
24-66 DOMESTIC - As 24-62 but with BU motor in case, black cloth plate
24-67 DOMESTIC - As 24-62 but with BU motor in table, black cloth plate
24-70 Manual tension, treadle, black cloth plate, long bed
24-71 Manual tension, hand crank, black cloth plate
24-80 DOMESTIC - automatic tension, electric, black cloth plate, full bed
 
24K-1 24x3 needle, treadle
24K-3 24x3 needle, treadle
24K-4 Treadle
24K-5 Treadle

The Singer 24 machines use a short 24x1 needle (which was also used in early model 20 toys as well as 30K machines) with the flat on the shank fitted to the right, so that the needle is threaded from left to right. A few machines designated 24K1 and 24K3 used a 24x3 needle which was identical, except that the flat was on the opposite side of the needle.

We have a few 24x1 needles available individually. Please contact us for details.

Photos (Courtesy of Lynn Kenan)

Singer 24-50-1

24-50 - Front

Singer 24-50-2

24-50 - Needlebar

Singer 24-50-3

24-50 - Back

Singer 24-50-4

24-50 - Drive Wheel

Singer 24-50-5

24-50 - Top View