Originally Posted by annesthreads
I've posted a couple of questions about the Singer 201, and someone suggested that I should be asking here. So in case you haven't seen my other threads:
Any dates/model that are particularly good/ to be avoided? I've worked out that many of those available in the UK are the 201-3, with a drive belt rather than a potted motor (had never heard that term till yesterday - am learning fast!) . What about the 1960s brown one - is that as good as the older ones?
I want a machine that I can use for free motion quilting, as my expensive modern one is *!*! at it. Have people used the 201 for FMQ? I understand that a disadvantage is that the bobbins are small, but the 301 was apparently not sold in Europe, so I don't have that alternative, and there don't seem to be as many 15s around.
The drive belt on the one I'm looking at doesn't look great. Is replacing it a straightforward job?
Many thanks!
From what I've heard from other owners of The Singer 201, the later models that are brown is that they are wonderful machines. I have the 201 and 15-90 both from England.
I have a 201-4 (1936)that was a hand crank, its treadled now and its one of my favorite machines. It machine quilts with the walking foot, but it doesn't do well for free motion quilting though. The 15-90(1949) had a motorectomy, treadles beautifully; it free motion quilts beautifully! I've done several baby quilts with it. Replacing the belt on the 15 isn't hard at all. You have to remove the hand wheel to do it.
Sharon