Singer 201-2 or Singer 15-91
#2
That depends. If I already had a machine that does free motion quilting then I would choose the 201 since it is a beautiful machine for piecing. I adore the 201. However, if I needed the machine to perform free motion quilting, then I would get the 15-91 so that I could piece and free motion.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
OK, I have both so I'm cheating.
I like the 201-2 far better than the 15-91. So if I had to choose I'd take the 201-2.
~But~ I don't do FMQ. So the larger arch and top loading bobbin of the 201 is much more to my liking.
~But #2~ I might take up FMQ without prior notice, so I'll keep 'em both.
That sure didn't answer your question did it?
OK, I like the larger arch and top loading bobbin on the 201-2.
I dislike the end loading bobbin on the 15-91 as I have larger hands than the folks way back when had when the machines were designed. I find the end loading bobbins of the Singers and other makes to be awkward and clumsy.
I live with it, but when I'm sewing I use the machines with top loading bobbins far more than the end loaders.
Joe
I like the 201-2 far better than the 15-91. So if I had to choose I'd take the 201-2.
~But~ I don't do FMQ. So the larger arch and top loading bobbin of the 201 is much more to my liking.
~But #2~ I might take up FMQ without prior notice, so I'll keep 'em both.
That sure didn't answer your question did it?
OK, I like the larger arch and top loading bobbin on the 201-2.
I dislike the end loading bobbin on the 15-91 as I have larger hands than the folks way back when had when the machines were designed. I find the end loading bobbins of the Singers and other makes to be awkward and clumsy.
I live with it, but when I'm sewing I use the machines with top loading bobbins far more than the end loaders.
Joe
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 586
That depends. If I already had a machine that does free motion quilting then I would choose the 201 since it is a beautiful machine for piecing. I adore the 201. However, if I needed the machine to perform free motion quilting, then I would get the 15-91 so that I could piece and free motion.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 586
OK, I have both so I'm cheating.
I like the 201-2 far better than the 15-91. So if I had to choose I'd take the 201-2.
~But~ I don't do FMQ. So the larger arch and top loading bobbin of the 201 is much more to my liking.
~But #2~ I might take up FMQ without prior notice, so I'll keep 'em both.
That sure didn't answer your question did it?
OK, I like the larger arch and top loading bobbin on the 201-2.
I dislike the end loading bobbin on the 15-91 as I have larger hands than the folks way back when had when the machines were designed. I find the end loading bobbins of the Singers and other makes to be awkward and clumsy.
I live with it, but when I'm sewing I use the machines with top loading bobbins far more than the end loaders.
Joe
I like the 201-2 far better than the 15-91. So if I had to choose I'd take the 201-2.
~But~ I don't do FMQ. So the larger arch and top loading bobbin of the 201 is much more to my liking.
~But #2~ I might take up FMQ without prior notice, so I'll keep 'em both.
That sure didn't answer your question did it?
OK, I like the larger arch and top loading bobbin on the 201-2.
I dislike the end loading bobbin on the 15-91 as I have larger hands than the folks way back when had when the machines were designed. I find the end loading bobbins of the Singers and other makes to be awkward and clumsy.
I live with it, but when I'm sewing I use the machines with top loading bobbins far more than the end loaders.
Joe
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
You can FMQ with a 201, but it preferable by many experienced quilters, to have a vertical bobbin- like the 15 for that. Many quilters don't like drop in bobbins as the tension may be a bit fussier for FMQing. I FMQ a lot, so the 15 is the machine for me. I wouldn't want a 201 because I already own 2 of the 15's ...unless I got one for very little $. If you're mainly piecing or doing general sewing the 201 may be your preference. If you want to add FMqing to your list the 15 would be the best bet.
I would have to say the 15 is the most flexible as a quilter. I would put a 15 on a frame...and the 201 I would not because of the drop in bobbin issue. So, it really depends on what the use of the machine would be..
I would have to say the 15 is the most flexible as a quilter. I would put a 15 on a frame...and the 201 I would not because of the drop in bobbin issue. So, it really depends on what the use of the machine would be..
Last edited by Candace; 12-30-2013 at 01:49 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 586
having said this, then the 15-91 will be the best as it can do both FMQ and piecing, stitching and all. or shall i say could be the jack of all trades. correct me if i am wrong. the reason i am asking is i just want to get the opinion of the members who have tried both machine and wanted to dissect your brains. i googled all about 201 and 15-91 but nothing beats first hand experiences - and it's you guys who got those experiences. appreciate it.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
vmaniqui,
I think the only problem with FMQ'ing on the 201-2 is the horizontal bobbin.
The tension issue comes from the thread path. The top loading bobbin machines such as the 201, 66, 99 and others requires the thread to take a 90° turn, follow around the bobbin case, then take another 90° back up. For normal sewing this is not a problem, but I've read many times it does for FMQ'ing.
The end loading bobbin machines have a straighter thread path. Down, around the bobbin case, then back up. No turns. Supposedly this keeps the tension more consistent.
Also I've read that lifting up a big heavy quilt to lift slide the slide plate and change a top loading bobbin is more difficult than lifting up a big heavy quilt to slide the slide plate and change an end loading bobbin. Honestly though I can't see the difference.
Joe
I think the only problem with FMQ'ing on the 201-2 is the horizontal bobbin.
The tension issue comes from the thread path. The top loading bobbin machines such as the 201, 66, 99 and others requires the thread to take a 90° turn, follow around the bobbin case, then take another 90° back up. For normal sewing this is not a problem, but I've read many times it does for FMQ'ing.
The end loading bobbin machines have a straighter thread path. Down, around the bobbin case, then back up. No turns. Supposedly this keeps the tension more consistent.
Also I've read that lifting up a big heavy quilt to lift slide the slide plate and change a top loading bobbin is more difficult than lifting up a big heavy quilt to slide the slide plate and change an end loading bobbin. Honestly though I can't see the difference.
Joe
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
having said this, then the 15-91 will be the best as it can do both FMQ and piecing, stitching and all. or shall i say could be the jack of all trades. correct me if i am wrong. the reason i am asking is i just want to get the opinion of the members who have tried both machine and wanted to dissect your brains. i googled all about 201 and 15-91 but nothing beats first hand experiences - and it's you guys who got those experiences. appreciate it.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
There are things I like about either machine so it is a hard choice to only have one of them. The 15 is easier to clean out a thread nest in the bobbin area. Either one is a powerful machine. Either one does great stitches and are well made. Being someone who sets up two machines to sew - just get one of each... The bobbins don't interchange but the attachments do. If you have another machine choose the one that the bobbins interchange. The 15 uses class 15 bobbins and the 201 uses class 66 bobbins.
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