Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
05-30-2011, 07:29 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: chicago suburbs
Posts: 102
Originally Posted by kwendt
Originally Posted by Kitzone
Irishrose - Thank you for the leads on Jolson and Nelco. I did a quick google search and didn't find any photo's that resemble my SM but I will do some further research. Judy
Update: the machine didn't sell and it's up for sale again on Ebay. I just put another bid on it, but the reserve price is not met yet.
05-30-2011, 07:51 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
I just came across this video today that I find extremely helpful to those that have treadles, and converting a Singer 319 to treadle. What I found wonderful about this video is that she demonstrates how a coil spring can be used as a treadle belt and the pluses to having a coil spring.
At 4:24 posting, showing how you can lift the machine up to get to the underside of machine, like for feet dog screw.
At 7:22 posting, showing the benefit of the coil spring when switching out machine heads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q83SouHBOzk
Does anyone know where I can purchase a coil spring belt?
Help! I want one! I think this is so cool.
At 4:24 posting, showing how you can lift the machine up to get to the underside of machine, like for feet dog screw.
At 7:22 posting, showing the benefit of the coil spring when switching out machine heads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q83SouHBOzk
Does anyone know where I can purchase a coil spring belt?
Help! I want one! I think this is so cool.
05-31-2011, 04:54 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,145
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!
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!
05-31-2011, 04:55 AM
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 11,903
DH was on a roll this weekend and brought home two new machines yesterday, a Feather weight and a singer 201-2 in cabinet.
He is the one collecting and fixing the machines and cabinets and has taken a real fancy to the little Feather Weight. He ahs bought multiple ones and is now fixing and selling off some for fun.
The Singer 201-2 he bought for me, but now it is here and he has sewn on it, DH is also smitten. I have been looking for the Singer 201-2 for some time and I am very excited about finding one. There is a little damage on the outside of the machine but it looks like it was barely used and it runs wonderful eventhough DH has not cleaned or oiled it yet.
He is the one collecting and fixing the machines and cabinets and has taken a real fancy to the little Feather Weight. He ahs bought multiple ones and is now fixing and selling off some for fun.
The Singer 201-2 he bought for me, but now it is here and he has sewn on it, DH is also smitten. I have been looking for the Singer 201-2 for some time and I am very excited about finding one. There is a little damage on the outside of the machine but it looks like it was barely used and it runs wonderful eventhough DH has not cleaned or oiled it yet.
Singer 201-2
[ATTACH=CONFIG]204605[/ATTACH]
05-31-2011, 05:05 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,145
Another quick question - do the Featherweight and the 201 use the same bobbins?
05-31-2011, 05:09 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by SewExtreme
A funny story... when I was yet a novice in purchasing vintage machines, I purchased a beautiful red eye, cabinet, and all of the attachments I could every want. Then, I went on to purchase quite a few other machines, still not quite as educated as I could have been. Anyway, one day my sweet DIL was here visiting and showed some interest in sewing. Sewww, I said, 'here' you can take this one home if we can get it in your minivan. Which we did. By the time I was next visiting her, I was cleaning it for her and by that time, I also had learned more and realized I had given her my best vintage machine. She doesn't use it very much yet. I love her so much and am glad she has it but sometimes (just sometimes) I wish I had given her another machine. :oops: :oops: :-D
Nancy
05-31-2011, 05:10 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 11,903
I just got a Singer 201-2 (direct drive) so I have not sewn or quilted on it yet. DH researched it and said that the Singer 15-91 (also direct drive) would be better for quilting because it can handle thicker thread then the Singer 201. He just set up the singer 15-91 we have for quilting and it indeed quilts very nice. I have heard the Singer 201-2 because it is a direct drive is better for quilting but I am sure one with a belt would work too. Replacing a belt is not very hard. I am sure Billy or some one else on here can help you. The singer 201 has a larger space under the arm then a Singer 15 so I would think that with larger quilts would be a definite plus.
We also have a Singer 201 that has a belt. It was made in England. DH took the motor off because it did not work and put it in my threadle base. I really like how it treadles but the problem is I can not fold it down into the cabinet because the machine is too tall.
We also have a Singer 301 and that we enjoy for paper piecing. It is a smaller machine and portable. I would think the Singer 201 or 15 would be a better option for quilting as there is more space under the arm and the machines are much heavier.
We also have a Singer 201 that has a belt. It was made in England. DH took the motor off because it did not work and put it in my threadle base. I really like how it treadles but the problem is I can not fold it down into the cabinet because the machine is too tall.
We also have a Singer 301 and that we enjoy for paper piecing. It is a smaller machine and portable. I would think the Singer 201 or 15 would be a better option for quilting as there is more space under the arm and the machines are much heavier.
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!
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!
05-31-2011, 05:16 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by buslady
spent yesterday and today "sale hopping". not a good idea when money tight. cant believee how many machines i have seen. did get a minnesota in treadle cabinet, needed the cabinet. also found a complete singer buttonholer for the slant shank machines. wish i were rich. LOL.
Don't we all wish we had money to throw around.
Nancy
05-31-2011, 05:18 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by okiepastor
Saw a sad sight the other day--someone made a 15-91 into a LAMP!!!!!!!
Nancy
05-31-2011, 05:22 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by fabric whisperer
My son actually designed his first quilt when he was 7, it took us a year to make, because he did the majority of the work. Picked out fabrics, designed it, helped piece it, and arranged it for final layout then pieced. He helped baste it on the hand-quilting rack, he would come home and ask "Mom, I don't have any homework, can I baste?" He was in 2nd grade. Here is him working on his quilt :)
Now he is already asking to use my new 15 clone (the pretty black one I got Friday)
Now he is already asking to use my new 15 clone (the pretty black one I got Friday)
Nancy
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