wannaquilt1

ok now i'm getting really excited. i emailed her about the antique black singer and asked if it's in good working order and if she would take less then $75 so we shall see what she says! Now i just have to be patient and wait for her email. too bad there is no phone # listed :(

shnnn

The waiting is horrible isn't it!!

wannaquilt1

yes it is! i'm not good at being patient

Annaquilts

ETA-- I think I just remembered the objection to 201 vs 15-91 -- isn't the 201 belt driven rather than solid gears? seems like I remember there being concerns about over heating and not being as strong to handle the bulk... but I think it's all theory since these machines have been around for 100+ years some of them and are still chugging along and have sewed far more difficult things than a quilt sandwich[/quote]

Well I have a direct drive Singer 201 and I think the one she is looking at might be too. I had a belt driven one but the motor did not work when we bought it and we put it in a treadle base. It treadles very nicely, has the reverse and drop feed dog. (not that I ever plan to free motion on a treadle) I'll ask DH when he comes in for lunch. He was the one that researched it all and told me what he had found. For the longest time he was not hearing me about needing another sewing machine (Singer 201 direct drive). Hmmm maybe could it have anything to do with the 17 or so other vintage sewing machines already living at the house. They all followed a vintage singer 15-91 home. LOL

Annaquilts

I so hope you get this machine. It has an extra large opening, about 2 inches more, so that would be perfect for quilting. It definitely looks like a direct drive. (no Belt)

QuiltnCowgirl

I remember some people commenting that the bobbins are smaller than the ones used for the 15's so you have to refill/reload more often. And, since they go in horizontal rather than vertical like the 15's, that you have to move the quilt out to get to the bobbin to replace it.

shnnn

Ah hah! I think maybe that's what it was! I knew there was a reason, but it's been a while since I read up on the whosits and whatsits of the different machines

and I think once you let one in the house it sneaks all it's friend in too, they seem to just show up!

Annaquilts

I remember some people commenting that the bobbins are smaller than the ones used for the 15's so you have to refill/reload more often. And, since they go in horizontal rather than vertical like the 15's, that you have to move the quilt out to get to the bobbin to replace it.[/quote]

Thanks quiltncowgirl !

Shelbie

I have a 201-3 (not the pot motored more common one). It is so powerful and outstitches my Janome both in speed and ability to handle many layers. It does not growl, balk or veer off seam intersections like my Janome and pieces and quilts beautifully. The feed dogs drop easily, loosen a screw, push the lever, tighten the same screw. I bought a walking foot and a FM foot for it and I love this machine. I just finished FM'ing a full sized quilt and the stitches were even and straight and the bobbin holds twice as much thread as my Janome. My machine was free (daughters cleaning out mom's estate) but I had to spend $70 to get it cleaned and re-wired (cords were rubbery and cracking). I had no trouble moving a large quilt through the harp.

wannaquilt1

I'm still waiting to hear back about this machine from the seller but I was wondering, if I have to re-wire it is that something I could do myself or do I need to take ie somewhere? How do I find someone who does this?