Downsizing indecision....
 

....and curiosity, too. I have a few vintage machines right now: Singer 201-3, 411G, 401, 221 and 128, Elna Grasshopper and Supermatic, pink and purple Brother Tingler, and 3 Japanese clones because they're just beautiful. After all the power outages this winter I'm putting some real effort into finding a treadle. So my question is, if you could keep a maximum of 3 machines what would you pick? Also, does someone have a favorite treadle for FMQ or for piecing? Favorite electric? Thanks everyone. This feels like an impossible decision!

I would keep the 201, it has become my favorite. Mine has the external motor with drive belt too, and it's in a small table. I need a freearm model and I like my Supermatic; the rubber drive pulley is now replaced by an aluminium version with O-rings, and it runs very nicely now. It has a lot of double layer cams for various fancy stitches I am keeping it.

The 411g sounds like a very nice machine too, but I have never owned one. Some have the 401 as a favorite, but it's hard to choose the flat bed over the freearm version. Do you use either of them? The build with all metal gears on these are a notch above most machines. A swing needle machine with various sitches is a must, as well as at least one free arm (The Supermatic has a more advanced cam mechanism, nice stitch quality and a narrow free arm, but a few plastic gears).

If you ever need a portable machine it has to be either the Featherweight or the Grasshopper. I guess it has to come down to which one you use, the accessories you have for them, and if you go for the the freearm or flatbed. A Feathweight carries a bit of prestige these days and it's very cute, but I don't know how practical minded you are this way.

I have to sell my second 201, it's just too many machines around lol

Lucky you, I collect brother machines and a Tingler is on my want list. You just have to ask yourself which machines you actually use the most and weigh that against which ones make your heart go pitter patter.

Cari

Hmm, I was just going to say that a pink and purple sewing machine is a definite need for me! But I guess Cari got there first ;)

I really like my 401 and my 221 - they are on my "keep" list if I ever get around to downsizing.

I have a Singer 66 Redeye treadle sewing machine from 1910. I absolutely love it. It very easily will free motion quilt as long as you have the old style. I tried all my low shank feet on it and they didn't work but with the one below you can sew right along and not break a thread.
Singer Low Shank Foot Embroidery Darning Foot #006016008

I absolutely could not resist that pink machine! It doesn't have the original foot pedal, but it's built like a tank. This one was so clean it looks barely used. Hope you find soon!

I was pretty happy to find that 411G. It does a chainstitch as well as a lockstitch and can also be treadled. It stitches beautifully. Actually all the vintage machines I have seem to make lovely stitches. I'm waiting for a replacement friction pulley for the Supermatic. Looking forward to getting it up and running smoothly.

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*** They are all nice machines. It would be hard to decide.
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Oh, I wish you were closer to me - I have a Singer 66-1 treadle that I need to get rid of due to space. It has the lotus decals and I would love for it to go to someone who would actually use it!

Downsizing - I'm trying to get from about 170 machines down to 125 or so.