Eaton Sewing Machine
Welcome to the Eaton sewing machine page in the Raymond Sewing Machine Research Project. Your Eaton Sewing machine might be connected to Raymond Sewing Machine company of Guelph Ontario but there were others.
If the decoration has worn off of the sewing head, there might be very little left to see on the machine. Fortunately, an additional identifying feature is T. Eaton engraved into the shuttle cover. But also, Eaton found cast into the iron stand and as a result, has brought you to this page. In fact, T. Eaton is in reference to the department store chain.
I offer assistance to identify your sewing machine.
Eaton sewing machine; additional challenges:
Another challenge researchers have discovered is the use of the same name or label upon many different machines. Strangely, it was common for many manufactures to use the same label creating much confusion today. For example, Victor, Reliance or Windsor have all been used by difference sewing machine makers but are completely different machines. Once you find the right maker, then you can find parts and help.
Unfortunately, unlike Singer for example, the original Raymond manufacturing records have never been found in any archive. I always keep hoping a great great grand child of a key management employee have the records in their basement and that they will surface someday… well, we can certainly dream.
But, since I now have an extensive database of Raymond sewing machines that I have compiled over years, I enjoy sharing what I know. Still, I continue to search and read archives but also talk to everyone I can. Meanwhile, with your help, I continue to record all that I can find.
My research project is on going to this day as you read this. There is no cost to find out about your machine, just send an email with photos and the serial number. If need, I will send you a manual for your Eaton sewing machine.
Summary:
Congratulations, above all, you have a rare and unique antique even if not made by Raymond Sewing Machine Company of Guelph Ontario. More importantly, it is a working antique without much worry it will break. Certainly, some are in better shape than others but I can guide you with that too. Thank you, and, I hope to hear from you soon.
Eaton Sewing No 10640 A. Photo credit Kathleen Warren.
The Guelph Civic museum has a great archive but also a Raymond sewing machine collection. Consider visiting soon.