Genesis

Naki Nik Naks 0003 – Genesis –  October 2025

I was unemployed, "in-between contracts" or whatever terminology matches not working. We decided to use some of my spare time when not applying for roles to reimagine and refurbish the singer. The reimagine part wasn't too difficult as the original design, cast iron and oak woodwork lent itself to Tracey's concept for a bedside table nicely. Essentially a strip back and reassemble to what it was.

We purchased the machine and cabinet as a complete working unit years ago at an auction house in Hawera, Taranaki. It sat untouched as a bedside table at Traceys mums place . Originally the model 66K sewing machine, serial Y7574386, was 1 of 130,000 made at the Singer Elizabethport New Jersey USA factory (1873 -1982) in 1922.

This Singer model is a heavy-duty antique cast-iron domestic sewing machine produced from 1902 through the mid-1950s and often referred to as the Model 66 "Red Eye", with peak production occurring in the 1910s and 1920s. It is known for its distinctive decals, which feature gold, red, and orange "eyes" in a pattern that resembles Lotus petals.

During World War I and World War II, the factory was repurposed from sewing machines to manufacturing weapons, aircraft parts, and cannons.

It started with a total strip down of everything to the smallest possible components. The wood prep was a total sand by hand starting with 80 grit and working down to 180, with any damaged laminate simply smoothed out at the edges as opposed to trying to repair and replace. The wooden decals detracted from the clean look we wanted so off they came to give the wood grain underneath better visibility. We used a redwood stain (that seemed to greatly accentuate the oak grains) and finished with several coats of clear gloss acrylic varnish.

The cast work we attacked with metal brushes and soapy water before applying coats of CRC rust converter and primer. We liked to look at this stage so went with it – bonus being the gold on the wording that had emerged from under the dirt being visible in a nicely patinered way.

Any screws or bolts were cleaned up and again hit with rust remover / primer and reused. We did not have to use any new screws or parts at all.

The end result really speaks for itself. We did add new draw knobs as a point of difference, and would in the near future remove the machine from the cabinet to convert the machine into a lamp.

Name: Genesis

Catalogue Number: 0003

Date of completion: October 2025