BackgroundThe story
Sewalot says the 66 first came off the American production line in late October 1902. Alex Askaroff calls it, in his opinion, the first mass-produced sewing machine to make a near-perfect stitch. The design did well abroad, and British production began at Kilbowie in Scotland in 1907.
Singersewinginfo describes the 66s as heavy-duty domestic machines that set the standard for several decades. Most were sold in treadle tables or cabinets; some hand-crank models were sold, and electric versions came later. They weren’t cheap. Sewalot says a basic 66K in 1916 cost nearly two months’ wages, so Singer offered hire purchase over one to 20 years.
The machine changed over its long life. Early machines had back-clamping presser feet; later ones had side-clamping feet and, from the 66-8 on, a lever stitch-length control. British 66K production ended in 1939 or 1940, while the US kept making the 66 until 1956. ISMACS records sub-models from the 66-1 all the way to the 66-24.
ReferenceSpecification
Specification plate
- Years made
- 1902–1956 (ISMACS). US introduction in late October 1902 (sewalot). Scottish 66K production from 1907 to 1939 or 1940 (sources differ). Sources vary
- Factories
- Elizabethport, New Jersey (66) and Kilbowie, Scotland (66K).
- Size and bed
- Full-size flatbed, low shank.
- Hook and bobbin
- Oscillating hook with a Class 66 drop-in bobbin (ISMACS, sewalot).
- Needle
- 15x1.
- Stitches
- Straight stitch only. No reverse; the feed dogs don’t drop (a cover plate is used for darning).
- Weight
- Around 30 lb (singersewinginfo).
IdentificationHow to recognise a 66 / Red Eye
On a 66-1 the presser foot clamps onto the back of the presser bar, not the side. ISMACS says this is exclusive to the 66-1.
A sliding chromed steel plate covers the drop-in bobbin. It is held by a double-ended spring underneath.
Treadle machines such as the 66K Lotus have a bobbin winder driven by the treadle belt. ISMACS notes that the 66-8 has a rim bobbin winder instead.
ISMACS lists the 66-4 with a spoked wheel and the 66-6 with a solid one. The handwheel helps you narrow down the sub-model.
Old Singer Sewing Machine Blog notes that Lotus 66s were made in Scotland and Red Eye 66s in New Jersey, so the decal and the serial prefix should agree.
In detailRed Eye, Lotus and other decals
- Red Eye (officially “Scroll (red)”): US-made 66-1 machines, from 1902 to around 1920–1923 (ISMACS gives both dates).
- Lotus (“Egyptian (green)”): on the Scottish 66K, 1907 to about 1920. Later 66Ks carried Sphinx and then plain gold decals.
- Tiffany/Gingerbread, Filigree (66 and 99, 1911–1940s) and the crinkle “Godzilla” finish (1930s–40s) also appear.
One useful check: a 66 made before 1935 wearing Paperclip decals has been refinished (singersewinginfo).
In detailThe 66 versions
| Version | What it is |
|---|---|
| 66-1 | Treadle, back-clamping presser feet |
| 66-3 | Hand-crank version of the 66-1 |
| 66-4 | BR motor, side-clamping feet |
| 66-5 | Hand-crank version of the 66-4 |
| 66-6 | As 66-4 with a solid handwheel |
| 66-8 | Series 4 motor |
| 66-14 | Treadle, lever stitch-length adjuster |
| 66-15 | Hand-crank version of the 66-14 |
| 66-16, 66-24 | BR motor, solid handwheel |
| 66-18 | BY motor version of the 66-14 |
Source: ISMACS class 66 page. Early machines have back-clamping feet and a thumbscrew stitch-length control; later ones have side-clamping feet and a lever.
Parts and accessoriesBobbins, attachments and the parts it takes
The bobbin cover slide plate is part 32569, which also fits the 99, 185, 192 and 285. Reproduction plates may come without the spring.
A 66-1 needs its own back-clamping attachments, such as the ruffler and hemmers. Standard low-shank attachments such as buttonholers won’t fit it.
ISMACS confirms the 66 uses Class 66 bobbins and 15x1 needles, both still easy to find.
Electric 66s used Singer motors: the BR motor on the 66-4, 66-16 and 66-24, the Series 4 on the 66-8 and the BY on the 66-18 (ISMACS).
The feed dogs don’t drop, so you need a cover plate for darning or embroidery (singersewinginfo).
MaintenanceLooking after it
Raise the needle to its highest point. Lift the needle end of the plate about 3 mm, push it towards the needle until it clears the feed dog, then about 3 mm more to free it from the spring.
The screw holding the slide plate spring is very thin and snaps easily. Tighten it gently; a broken one is hard to extract.
On a back-clamp foot, the slotted screw should not be adjusted during a normal foot change (Old Singer Sewing Machine Blog).
Give each oiling point one drop of sewing machine oil, then turn the handwheel by hand to spread it. Pay attention to the shuttle race and needle bar (a1sewingmachine).
If you clean with mineral spirits, keep them off decals and painted surfaces and never pour solvent on the machine (a1sewingmachine).
General advice from the sources listed below. If in doubt, follow your machine’s Singer manual.
Before you buyWhat to check on a used 66 / Red Eye
In-person checks
QuestionsFrequently asked questions
Is my Red Eye Singer a model 66?
Red Eye decals were used on US-made 66-1 machines. Confirm with the bobbin: a 66 takes a drop-in horizontal bobbin, not a long shuttle bobbin.
How is the 66 different from the 99?
The 99 is the 3/4-size version — sewalot describes the two as identical except for size.
Does the Singer 66 have a rotary or oscillating hook?
ISMACS and sewalot describe an oscillating hook mounted horizontally. Singersewinginfo calls it a horizontally mounted rotary hook, but most sources give oscillating.
Will a buttonholer fit my Singer 66?
On side-clamping 66s, standard low-shank attachments fit. On a back-clamping 66-1, buttonholers and other usual low-shank attachments won’t fit; it has its own attachment set.
Why is the bobbin cover missing on my 66?
The slide plate is held by a spring and can only come out one way. Many were forced off and never refitted. Replacement part 32569 fits the 66.
Can a Singer 66 sew heavy fabric?
Sewalot says it can out-sew nearly any modern machine through fabrics from linen to lace and horse blankets to buckram.
ReferencesSources
Where sources disagree we show each figure rather than choosing one. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer-class-66-sewing-machine.html
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/decals/domestics/redeye.html
- sewalot.com/singer%2066.htm
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/66
- oldsingersewingmachineblog.com/2012/11/04/the-back-clamp-singer-66-mystery
- oldsingersewingmachineblog.com/2011/09/01/singer-66-and-singer-99-slide-plate-how-to-remove-and-replace-it
- www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/singer-bobbin-cover-part-32569-fits-model-66-66-1-66-16-99-99k-185-192-285
- www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/vintage-original-singer-bobbin-winder-fits-singer-model-66-1-treadle
- a1sewingmachine.com/singer-model-66-manuals-and-treadle-machine-restoration
Last reviewed October 2026