I must admit that I have been lurking around the message board, reading comments and looking at pictures. I have a Singer 201-1 that belonged to my mother. She worked as a seamstress and loved that machine. When she passed away, I decided to keep the machine and cabinet for a while. I could always sell or donate it at a later time, or so I thought. Many years ago, my father was at a rummage sale and came home with a machine and cabinet that had been painted medium blue. The woman selling it had offered to sell it to him for $2. Since he had a wife and daughter who both loved sewing, home the machine came with him. We refinished the cabinet but the machine had been banished to the attic. I also have an old treadle that I learned to sew on and always felt that I could not part with that machine. Afte reading some of your posts, I decided to get out the machines and look up the seriel numbers on the Singer site that had been suggested. Turned out that the treadle was made in 1908, my mother's 201-1 (which is in excellent condition- runs smooth as silk) was made in 1956, and the one banished to the attic? A Singer 201 made in 1945. She will be going to my repairman for a good cleaning, oiling, etc. She has tons of attachments and extras that came with her. These machines will now proudly join my group of newer machines ( Singers and Brothers). I am so glad that I learned so much from this message board and learned enough to NOT get rid of my lovelies. Thanks for savings my machines!!! (My daughters and husband have all been given a lecture on how special these machines are.) Again, thank you!!!! This board has been great!!!!!

Hildie, that's awesome!!! I have a Bernina and never realized how wonderful the old Singers were until I joined the board!! lol
The 201's are fantastic! I have 1 along with a FW and a 301, and a 66 Redeye.
This year my goal is to get a treadle.
I'm so happy for you!!!! :D:D:D:D
PS. Joining this board has hurt my wallet hahaha

I'll second that.

I'm always happy when someone posts salvaging old machines. They are wonderful to sew on but also the historic value is priceless.

I'm so glad you kept them and are giving them a good home.

Could you please post pictures of these machines? It is wonderful to hear the stories and see them too :D:D:D

Who knew that it's better to have old than new! I'm trying to add to my collection all the time(when I can afford it). I have a Featherweight(my Mother's Day & b-day gift from my DH), a 301 (that was my DM's & before her my DGM's) and now a 99K (free from a VERY generous board member) and a treadle(that was my DGF's, but not up and running yet).
I'm glad that you saved these awesome machines from the landfill. Enjoy these and have fun with them!

I have a couple older singers and really treasure them. I hope to start using one of my treadles now that I can acutally get to it. I love the look of the older machines, too.

I figure I could show off some of my collection if there are other people who love old sewing machines. Here's a link to my webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/IamfoundinHim

I sew exclusively on vintage machines, and they are just SO much fun. They are so much better built than the newer plastic machines. I also love the historical aspect of them, too. Every one I own sews beautifully, and I'm now using an 85-year-old hand crank that I stripped the paint off (paint was all chipped) and re-painted cool blue to do some paper piecing in front of the TV at night. SEW much fun!
Trina

As it is so hot here, I have spent the day in the air conditioned family room sewing on my Singer treadle machine. I love this machine and am so grateful to the ladies on this site for the suggestion to use panty hose to replace the belt after it broke.