How cute do my two “girls” look together!
 

So, there’s a story behind this post. (Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy.) I bought the Singer 160 Anniversary Edition (black machine on the right) last January, when it was a Today’s Special on HSN. I totally LOVE this machine because it’s so easy to use, sturdy, and stitches really well. I love the drop-in bobbin and the easy-thread system, and the curved extension surface. I also think she’s rather pretty (although some vintage enthusiasts have disagreed with me on that point!). She’s only missing two features that I’d like to have…a speed control, and the needle-up/needle-down setting.

A few weeks ago, HSN featured the new Singer One Plus machine as a Today’s Special. She’s the white machine on the left. She has many more stitches, is very sturdy, and stitches really well. (You see where this is going, right?) Again, drop-in bobbin is great, and the easy thread-system is awesome, curved surface is a big plus to me. She’s pretty, too; she has the silver decals instead of the gold. And – ta da - she has the speed control, and the needle-down setting! I am so happy. I’m working on a project right now (not a quilt) where I’m sewing on vinyl... and the machine is doing great. Just powers right on through that vinyl and fabric combo like nobody’s business.

I had convinced myself that I needed to sell the 160 if I liked the new girl, but really …. they look so darned cute together, I can’t bear to separate them! I think that I might use the 160 primarily for apparel sewing, and keep the One Plus for quilting (because it has that needle-down feature we love so well). I need some enablers, and I'm sure to find them here, right?! (big grin).

Looks to me like they're a matched pair: if you give one of them up, who knows when this combination will EVER happen again? Reason enough to keep them both!! ;)

Keep them both. You really need 2 machines and those two look perfect together. I know you'll love the needle up/down. That is the only thing I miss with my Featherweight.

So sweet! I have two machines set up...one for piecing and for quilting and putting tops together. Both machines will do both jobs, but i can have two things going at once. Just trying to justfy for you.

Don't we all need a back up machine????????
Laurel/oneteappot

Awesome! I bought the 160 and really struggled to walk away from the one plus. I have a high end machine and really can't justify another one....but they look so darn together.

keep both. Barb

They look lovely together. To separate them would be a shame.

Gotta love HSN, I just ordered the No! No! today's special value :D. Love your 'girls'.

SO cute together! :)

Of course you need to keep both of them! It's good to have a back-up.

I can give you the perfect reason why to keep them both: My machine is in the shop for repairs/tuneup and I have no backup while she is gone! I am going crazy not being able to sew :(

Would you separate a salt & pepper set? What would the world be like if there was no more PB & J or Pork & Beans? Dismiss the thought of separating them. It would be cruel! Look what happened to Sonny & Cher! :shock:

I also got the 160 back then and I had to hold off on the One Plus because I couldn't justify another machine :( (I have a CE250, SES 2000, Futura XL550 along with various vintage singers and some not so vintage). But I sure wanted it if for nothing but that new parallel foot that came with it!

One always needs a backup machine when ones getting serviced

I'm hearing Paul McCartney singing Ebony and Ivory...together in perfect harmony. :-)

Gotta keep both!!

We become emotionally attached. Hey, even my DH is emotionally attached to his Shop Smith! Keep the family together. I have a Pfaff I use strictly for finishing quilts, my computerized Kenmore is my primary sewing machine, and my mechanical Brother bails me out when all else fails. I couldn't get along without them!

OMG craftygal, you just named them - Salt and Pepper! I love it!!

You guys are all cracking me up, especially with the comments about keeping one as a backup. I just won't tell you about my Singer Quantum L-500... and my Singer Featherweight 75... and my vintage Singer 66 Red Eye... and my sturdy mechanical Kenmore... and my old Brother machine with the Disney embroidery....those will be our little secret, okay? Shhhhhhh...........!

I love my machine.....and can certainly understand how you feel about your girls.....my machine is a twin to the one on the right, and she is wonderful!

Oh my goodness, you need to keep them both. If you sell one, you would always regret it. Would always look at the one and think of the other one you don't have. I love the look of the black one, looks like my vintage machine. They both are just plum adorable!!!

IMNASHO, you need to name them Ebony and Ivory----------------------then you can't get rid of either.

GMTA! I suggested Ebony and Ivory for names--------before I read this. tee hee.

Well, I can think of two reasons to keep them both. Firstly, it's good feng shui to have a pair, rather than a single item. Secondly, one might fret if you get rid of the other......:). You did ask for enablers:)

I guess it could be like shoes one in every color.....or Summer and Winter machine

And when the next one comes with a thread cutter and is red, you can have triplets.

I think they are adorable together and it would be criminal to separate them.

I think it's important to keep a "spare" machine. You never know when you might need an extra. We live 50 miles from one repairman and 100 miles from the other so if one needs service I still have (several) extras I can use until I get the serviced one back. It's saved my hide more than once!

I agree about the 160 and being so darned cute. I bought one during Sandy (the storm) while at my son's home who had power....ordered from Amazon and thought it was a great price.....it arrived through the storm in just two days.
Haven't used it as yet, just sit and look at it.......I am a snow bird and was thinking of leaving it in Florida so I won't have to cart my biggie along with me each year.
I can't believe this.....it is selling on Amazon now for $400. more than what I paid for it.......she's a beauty......one of these days I will get around to making her hummmmmmm

Tell me, owners of the 160.....is she really as great as she is pretty???????

Definitely you need the sisters together.

Neighbors
 

love your machines thought of getting one for myself lease let me know how u like it.. I am from rhode island to riverside, where in r.i. R u from

Oh no, you absolutely CANNOT seperate the two!!!! They compliment each other too well....says me who has 11 machines!!!! LOL

I think they both look great together. HSN does have wonderful prices on the machines.

They belong together! Keep them both...I can't imagine you would regret your decision!

How could you possibly separate them? they are twins and meant to be together! very handsome pair!

Ebony and Ivory : always need a back up machine ..

This would be like separating the last two in a litter...you just can't do it.

This one's a response to mjsylvstr - I can only vouch for myself, but yes, my 160 is wonderful! Haven't had one problem with it yet, and the ease of use factor is just fantastic. These are actually the first two machines I've ever owned that have a needle threader which works ALL the time!

I'm also surprised at how much the prices have increased for this machine, especially on eBay, where I have seen them actually sold (by checking the completed auctions) for around $1,000. I imagine it's because they were only produced in 2012, for Singer's anniversary, and supposedly there were a limited number of them made. The money factor is tempting (because I paid under $400 for the machine when I bought it), but I'm not going to let her go!

Awesome!!!!!!

You need more than one machine... Keep both!!