Originally Posted by
Shelbie
The 201 is a heavy powerful machine that is fast and does not balk, growl or jam when sewing over heavy canvas, denim or multiple layers. It has a large harp space and I can get a King sized quilt through it without too much tugging and scrunching. The feed dogs will drop (large knob, lever system underneath the machine) so that you can free motion quilt. I got this machine free and it sews so much better than my Janome 6500 which cost me $2000 new. It powers through anything that I put in front of it including zippers in heavy duc coveralls.
Yes, I can tell by looking is is a heavy duty machine. I finally dug it out and it looks very impressive. The serial number show it was built on March 25, 1955, It looks in great condition. The decals are worn some but that is to be expected. I took the back plate off and it still has grease on the moving parts. I got it about 10 years ago and it has never been used by me. Attachments, zig zag, and button holer are still in the drawers along with several bobbins and other odds and ends. I really never paid that much attention to it until I joined this group and started learning more about vintage machines. When I got it, I bought it from my son who was a little strapped for cash. He got it for some work he did.