Singer 201 - cabinet only machine? Inexpensive option for cabinet?
 

It is my understanding that the 201 is a cabinet only model. I am interested in owning a 201 someday (when the price is right). Many are offered without a cabinet. I know from my searching for a sewing table for my Janome sewing machine - tables seem to be ridiculously priced (in my opinion) - and there are various options out there for building a nice one yourself (Eleanor Burns and turning a farm table into a sewing machine table is the first one that pops into my mind).

What about a sewing cabinet for these vintage Singer machines? How does one go about finding one that doesn't break the bank? Is there an easy way to make one yourself?

Right now I feel I can only consider VSM's that come with a cabinet because of this concern.

201's also came in cases. It just needs a base to keep the bottom of the machine off the surface.
I see lots of cabinets (sans machines) on Craig's List... just have to make sure they're a Singer cabinet (Kenmore cabinets don't work for a Singer) You have to watch pricing, but should be able to find one for a fairly reasonable price.

Can a base be made - or does it have to be bought?

Absolutely it can be made! :) Glenn would be the one to ask how to go about it...he ROCKS woodworking! :)

So good to know! I am not into spending hundreds of dollars on cabinets. Need to have options that are wallet friendly, so I am not limited in purchasing another vintage sewing machine should the right one come along. :thumbup:

the base on the 201 is going to be like your 15 -- it has all the rods and stuff under there, so you can't just plop it on a table. my 15 came in a base built out of 2x4s, and I couldn't tell you where, but I have seen them for sale online. I found my cabinet at the thrift store (ugly! but it works) I was actually looking for a desk to cut a hole in when I found it. --- and you can always swap it into the cabinet your 15 is in

There are instructions on how to make bases for machines on Treadleon.com. You might be able to find a cradle for your machine that you could mount into a cabinet or table, or even make one. Good Luck!

I actually realized I might have a cabinet sitting right next to me that would work. I know nothing of cabinets, so do not know how to evaluate. Someone gave me this cabinet free years ago. I have almost gotten rid of it a couple of times, but for some reason did not. I will get my phone and snap a few pictures and post either later today or tomorrow. Maybe someone will either recognize the type - or tell me how to know what machines it *might* work with. I'll measure the opening as well.

Singers will interchange but some singers are bigger than others. Measure the opening and the distance between the hinge pins.

Okay, below are some pictures of what I have. I have to admit to being totally ignorant about sewing cabinets. I only kept it all the years because it was in good condition, and I was hoping someday I could use it (though I didn't know how). Had no idea one day I would become so interested in vintage sewing machines.

Opening measures approximately 13-1/4 inches by 19-3/4 inches (it is just shy of those measurements). I measured the space between the hinges inside (hopefully I measured the right thing - took a close up picture of the hinges I measured) - about 12 inches from middle to middle.

I have never been able to figure out how one attaches a sewing machine to this. I think one of the pictures is upside down, sorry about that, not sure how that happened. Thoughts as to what I can use this for? And how does one attach a sewing machine to it?

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