Decision made - after flip-flopping among 201, 301, 15-91, I decided to go with the 201-2 since that's what Mom had in the cabinet when I was a child. My "Lizzie" (Mom's name) should be here in a couple weeks.
I may regret the fact that it does not have the vertical bobbin (better for FMQ, as others have shared), but nostalgia won over common sense. :+)

The 201 actually does a much better free-motion stitch than any of my other drop-in bobbin type machines, so you may end up happier with it than you'd think.

The 201 is soooooo quiet, too. The quietest of all my machines, including the treadles. :)

Thanks for the confidence vote - when I got to thinking about putting something 'retro' back into Mom's cabinet, I decided it had to be the same model she bought with months of saving when she was a new bride. She is gone now, but I think she'd be pleased. Thank you Mom for a wonderful legacy of sewing & many other crafts. :+)

I have a 1941 15-91 with reverse -- just slide the stitch length lever all the way up

The Singer 201 is the finest machine Singer ever made, followed closely by the 301. I was fortunate to acquire both recently. My 201 is a treadle, and I'm in love! :D

I had an opportunity to buy a 301, but chose the 201-2 just because that was the model Mom had - I'm sure I'll like it.

I have a 201-2 and for piecing it is awesome so smooth and quiet and beautiful stitch. I am now learning to fmq with it, I think it is a great machine, enjoy it.

Can you tell me what the throat space is on the 15-91 and the 201??

thanks, Danielle

At the widest, the 15 is around 8" wide by about 5" tall.

The 201 is straighter and is about 9" wide at the widest point and about 5½" tall.

thanks a lot