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International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

The purpose of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society is to foster the collecting of, and research into, sewing machines.

The Jones Sewing Machine Company

  • Jones Treadle sewing machine
  • All-British Trade Cards
  • These patriotic trade cards issued by Jones Sewing Machine Company during World War I (1914-1918) featured British Empire flags, allied nations, and naval insignia to boost morale while men were away fighting. These collector items represent an interesting intersection of sewing machine history and wartime marketing.
  • Daniel Jones' Two-Reel Machine
  • Daniel Jones' innovative two-reel lock-stitch sewing machine, patented in 1889, used a full-sized reel of thread for the lower thread instead of a small bobbin. This time-saving innovation sparked a company with £200,000 in capital, though questions remain about its commercial success.
  • The Jones Boys: A Brief History of the Company
  • Graham Forsdyke's comprehensive lecture traces the history of the Jones Sewing Machine Company from William Jones' small engineering beginnings in 1858 through the company's various partnerships, innovations, and eventual acquisition by Brother in 1958. The article reveals fascinating details about the company's contentious relationship with competitors and the press.
  • Jones Advertisement
  • This extraordinary promotional photograph from circa 1904 shows Jones sewing machines arranged meticulously on a beach, showcasing an innovative and likely expensive advertising campaign. The second image from 1910 demonstrates how Jones swapped sewing machines for bathing machines to capitalize on the popular seaside vacation trend.
  • Ceramic Tile Advertisement
  • This attractive ceramic tile depicting Jones sewing machines was produced by Pilkingtons and originally sold through B&Q, but only available as part of a set containing six different advertising designs. Despite attempts to purchase bulk quantities of just the Jones tile, the manufacturing process required all six designs to be produced together.
  • Jones Factory
  • This 1885 image captures the impressive Jones sewing machine factory with its billowing smoke stacks, revealing the industrial power behind the company's manufacturing prowess. The factory's massive steam engine drove all machinery through an intricate system of overhead belting, exemplifying Victorian industrial engineering.
  • The Fiddle Base Jones Machine
  • The 1880s Fiddle Base Jones represents the pinnacle of collectability among Jones sewing machines, with a pristine example preserved in the British Science Museum. Its distinctive base design and historical significance make it highly sought after by serious collectors.
  • The First Jones Sewing Machine
  • Lee King recounts his extraordinary discovery of one of only two known examples of the first Jones Hand Crank sewing machine (serial #485). His detailed analysis reveals striking similarities to the Kimball & Morton 'Stitch in Time' serpentine machine, raising fascinating questions about the true origin of this iconic design ... but who made it? ...
  • The Jones Cylindrical Shuttle Machine
  • Manufactured by the Manchester-based Jones Company from the early 1900s through the 1930s, the Cylindrical Shuttle machine represents an important part of Jones' domestic machine lineup. A PDF manual is available for collectors and enthusiasts.
  • Maggie Snell's "Almost a 10" Jones Machine
  • This extraordinary Jones Fiddle Base machine in Maggie Snell's collection represents the closest thing to a perfect Condition 10 specimen in existence. Discovered still sealed in its original curved front-glass cabinet in an old shop basement in the 1970s, it exemplifies pristine preservation.
  • Manuals
  • This comprehensive collection of original Jones sewing machine manuals includes instructions for the Cylinder Shuttle (1914), Family and Medium models, Hand Machine with New Double Feed, and a concise guide for the Jones Spool machine from around 1910. These downloadable PDF documents provide invaluable information for collectors and restorers.
  • Oiling the Stand
  • These original maintenance instructions detail the proper care of Jones treadle sewing machines, recommending paraffin for cleaning followed by good sperm oil for lubrication. The document provides specific guidance for maintaining ball bearings, proper belt tension, and mastering the treadle motion essential for optimal machine performance.
  • Soapy Joe's
  • In 1906, the Joseph Watson Soap Company (locally known as "Soapy Joe's") offered 500 Jones catback sewing machines as promotional prizes to customers who collected and submitted soap wrappers. Linda Jones shares the story of finding one of these rare machines at the Newark Antiques Fair, complete with the distinctive Joseph Watson trademark on the bed...only if it is a Condition 10, like Maggie's...
  • Using Your Attachments: The Underbraider
  • Featuring the Jones CS and Raymond Underbraiders

ISMACS is an organization totally independent of all sewing-machine manufacturers, past or present and is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in these pages.  Please Note: Do not contact any ISMACS official in an attempt to solicit a valuation - it is not possible other than by hands-on assessment and your request will be ignored.

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