Last week, while shopping at an antiques fair, my sister called to tell me she’d just found an American Girl sewing machine. She didn’t know if the machine had any connection with today’s American Girl dolls. But, she knew I was interested in sewing machines, dolls and doll clothes patterns.
As it turns out, these small ‘crank’ sewing machines were originally produced in the 1920’s and 1930’s as children’s toys. National Sewing Machine Company manufactured The American Girl sewing machines in a range of colors; black, red, dark green, bright green, indigo and butter yellow. The slogan on the original box says, “Just like Mother’s.” They were featured in the Sears Christmas catalog in 1936.
This little machine, with its chipped paint and missing wooden hand crank, looks like it’s probably seen its share of doll clothes patterns.
How fun is this? You could have a tiny American Girl sewing machine for your American Girl doll.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
This is soooo cute! What a wonderful little find! We love doll too,over here at http://www.fashionfordolls.com Are you planning on keeping it? Just be sure to wash your hands after handling this in case it has lead paint.
May 13th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
RE: lead paint. What a good suggestion from Shellyn. I’ve never seen this machine before, and glad to know about it even if only in a photo.
May 13th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
That is WAY CUTE!! I LOVE it!!
May 24th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I think this is very cute! I use a mini ( real working )sewing machine for my dolls. It doesn’t use a petal, though.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:16 am
What a find I had a little singer machine much like this one and it did work. I clamped to a table or what ever you sat at to sew. and you cranked the handle and it really did sew. I made my sister a skirt on it when I was oh about 8 yrs. old. What a fond memory this has been . It was my Christmas present that year.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Beckie,
I also got a little Singer sewing machine for Christmas when I was about five. There’s a picture of it on my other doll clothes patterns site, http://SewForAmericanGirlDolls.com/ It didn’t work very well for me, because I cranked it too fast.
Peggy
October 17th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I was happy to get the information about AM Girl Dolls vs Madame Alexander Dolls. I planned on getting a Spriingfield Doll but now I will deffinatly geT the M. Alexander because of “head tilt” and lower breast plate for those “summer duds. MAY
November 14th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Wow…what a unique and adorable little find! It’s amazing all the neat little things that can be found for our dolls in the strangest places. Your sis has a great eye to spot it for you and congrats on it’s addition to your dolly collection!
)
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:35 am
Hello, I’ve also come across one these old American Girl sewing machines, and I was curious if anyone was looking to purchase it. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
zachjhanson@yahoo.com