This one looks smaller, but I'm not certain if it will fit a 15-91.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Made-In-USA-...EAAOSwX~dWlBML

Aww, that's sweet their machine is still in use. When she gave the hand wheel a turn was she inserting the needle in the fabric before sewing? Maybe she got her intructions from page 7 of this book under the heading of "How to Start and End a Seam." http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...rence-book.pdf

I have 1 15. I purchased it to do quilting and FMQ. I also have an original grace frame that I had my 1970's Kenmore on. But it just isn't very fond of FMQ on the frame. So I have taken it off. I am up for suggestions for what to put on the frame that would have a larger throat space and would be good with FMQ. Should I just get another 15-91?

I have a 1947 15-91 inherited from an aunt. I use it for piecing. A great old machine that sews a wonderful stitch.

I do and it's one of many of my beloved vintage machines.

I recently got one in the cabinet with three boxes of attachments and a buttonholer to boot for $20! The cabinet was well taken care of and the machine has all the decals in super nice condition. Needed cleaning, grease and oil. She received that and runs smooth as a top. Sits on display in my living room at all times. Need to do a project on it soon.

No, it was a "get it started" kind of turn, like when starting a treadle. I don't know why she did it, I was not interested is sewing at that point in life so I never asked her. My mother, my aunt and my grandmother were all good sewers but my mom worked so she did not sew that much. Of course now I wish I had taken the time back then to learn from one or all of them but it was not until much later in life I took up sewing.

And, thanks for that link, I downloaded the book to look at later, they are often funny but you can learn something!

Maybe it was something that followed her from sewing with a treadle. Habits tend to follow us......

Cari

I have a darling Singer 15-91 from 1954. It's the potted motor model and came in a simple little flip-top cabinet. I wish it was an heirloom from a family member or friend, but I adopted it at an ARC thrift store. The machine, cabinet, foot pedal, bobbins and a couple feet for $50 at a local thrift shop. The machine is in wonderful condition. The walnut cabinet has light scuffs and nicks, mostly on the legs.

It runs, but I've finally located an OSMG that is going to replace the frayed electric wires and give it a good check up. It runs, but the wires smell hot.

The numbers after the hyphen determine the model, so the 15-91 will always have the potted motor. Other 15-class variants are:
15-30 early
15-88 treadle
15-89 hand crank
15-90 external motor (with belt)

Oh, ok. I've never used a treadle, lol. I'm sure they are fun to use though.
Yeah, life can be that way. It's interesting how it is. I wasn't too interested in tatting until about a year ago when I was moving away from an older sister who was gifted in it.
You're welcome. :) I really enjoyed looking through that book.

After I thought more about what you said and looked at the book it could be she was just putting the needle down and then started sewing all in one quick motion that to a youngster looked like a spinning start. Either way, it is a memory I have of her that makes me smile. And, you should try a treadle, they are fun to use and I miss mine even though I am enjoying my 15-91. I still have a treadle, and for about 4 yrs I used it exclusively just don't have the room right now to have both of the open for use. One day...

I have wanted to learn to tat but I really don't need to add another hobby to the long list. Besides I am not sure my wrist could take it...I had to give up knitting and crocheting because of carpal tunnel.

Thanks again!

Minibarn,
Thank you for you lovely message. I'm glad you have that memory. When I was a kid I immensely enjoyed watching my mother sew. I was so little. I thought I'd never be able to operate a sewing machine, lol. I would love to try a treadle one day. But, I don't have room for one. I am sorry about your carpal tunnel. :( I have had many aches and pains, even though I'm just a young woman, but I don't think as bad as Carpal Tunnel, so I keep crocheting and tatting.

Margie

Thank you. The CP does not hinder too much, like sewing, so I am OK w/that.

Happy tatting!!!

Best wishes for sewing!!!

I was gifted one three yrs. ago and was so excited about using it, only to discover that it had been "robbed". There is no bobbin case, hook, or race. Down went my expectations. Ok well, I do have a lovely 15-90 in a nice cabinet that does sing well, but not so easy for FMQing.

I have a 15-91 in a blonde cabinet that came with its original bench seat. I store most of my beads in the bench. I think I am going to set this machine up dedicated to FMQ. It was one of my first 5 vintage machine I purchased from someone who was selling the estate items. She knew the owner (who was the original purchaser) who had just passed away. It has everything and it was all neatly arranged in the drawers. I love it just because of the history.

Yooper32 you should be able to find the parts you are missing on Ebay or at Sew Classic. The parts can often be found pretty cheap. It always annoys me when the slide plate is missing, but to have all the guts missing really stinks.

I've had mine for at least 20 years and I have a second one as well. I leaned to sew on a Universal that was a Japanese copy of the 15-90 and when I got the 91 I thought I'd gone to heaven- no more belts! I owned in between a Necchi and a cheap Singer from the early 1980's. I sew everything from my husbands Carrhart coveralls to baby quilts to dresses for my daughter. I've been making my version of Vera Bradley duffle bags lately. I've machine quilted a couple queen size quilts on it and repaired the canvass piece that goes inside our combine harvester! To say I love this machine is an understatement. I also sewed on my Grandma's featherweight-long before they became popular! And I have one too. For service I have to go to Renton- a very long way from home- to Sewing Machine Service Co. I have played around with many of the attachments and lately an enterprising saleslady got me fitted with a Brother low shank adapter foot so now I can use a variety of newer type feet.

I leave the dogs up and set the down pressure on the pressure foot to be light. Others I know lower the dogs. I also have never needed the walking foot- I have one but we don't get along!

I have one set up for FMQ only, I really like it and added it to my "want" list after reading so much about them on here. A great machine.

My mom always gave the hand wheel a turn on her old black Singer (don't know the model), so I always did, too, until I got a newer machine. Sadly, Mom sold the old black Singer and replaced it with a "Stylist 457" which I have always hated! She gave it to me last summer, and I promptly passed it on to my SIL. I don't own a 15 - yet!

I find it so fascinating to see how many quilters use their 15-91 for FMQ only. It makes me feel like I made a good decision when I bought my 15-91 for the same thing. I'm in good company:)

Got this one last week. bare wires and abuse showing. Haven't touched it yet.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...653-580812.jpg

I have 2 of them. One was my mom's the other I bought at auction because I wanted the cabinet. The cabinet is a wreck and the machine is just dirty. The finish is really nice. It was made in Canada. Wonder how it got to Texas?

bkay

Bkay machines made in Singers Canadian factory were sold here in the US just like machines were from the UK factory, the Brazilian factory, the Italian factory, etc.....

Cari

Leon that one looks in better shape than the one I got a couple months ago.

Cari

15-91
 

by far the best machine to do patchwork on ,I even take mine to quilt retreats. I have a big van so I can haul it.

I have a 15-88 treadle that I am teaching myself to fmq with rulers. I have been using it for piecing and I have quilted a wall hanging on it with a walking foot and a lot of other sewing. Just a lovely machine. I learned to sew on my moms 15-91, which she bought after learning to sew on my grandma's treadle. She got such a kick out of me having a treadle, she told me that she bought an electric machine as soon as she could afford one:-) One day that machine will come to me as well.

I have 2 of them, plus one extra motor. I haven't used in quite awhile, but now have a job that I think only the 15-91 can handle - going through heavy strapping used for handles on a large tote bag. None of the new computerized machines, and definitely not the little FW, can do it - So 15-91 is the last hope. If it works, I'll post a photo of the completed bag.

I have my mom's 15-91. I rarely use it but it was the machine I learned how to sew on, so it is special to me. It is in a nice cabinet, so it looks great in my sewing area. I also own a featherweight, 301a and a 99k. The 301a is mocha coloured and looks out of place with all my other black machines. I am always on the lookout for a black 301.

Have one. Never used it. Need to find it a new home. Down sizing..

You should have no trouble finding it a new home in the PNW. Lots of vintage machine users and collectors up in this corner of the country. PM me your details please.

Cari

I have one that I have used to piece. I am wondering if I will keep it but would be sad not to have it. It is so precious to me. However, I have not been sewing as much as I used to in the last year.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]583422[/ATTACH]This is a green White. I traded for it because it did not have a foot pedal, but in my collection of foot controllers, I had one. It's not a Singer, but is it a 15-91? The tension dial is in the same place??

It's not a 15-91 Battle-Axe, but it's a very interesting model 15 derivative. The -91 subnumber indicates the potted motor version, it has a direct drive gear, and doesn't have motor belt. Only Singers had this motor as far as I know, model 101, 201-2 and the later 15s. Yours seems to have an additional features where the top tensioner is on models like 66 and 201 (the black round thing that looks like a bulls eye) What is it for? The switch knob on the bed under the stitch length lever is typical of the Japanese 15 clones, sometimes theres' two push buttons. The original Singer 15s had a setting screw for lowering the feed dog under the base.

This is what's known as a 15 class clone. Like Mickey said a 15-91 has a pot motor which is a built in gear driven motor. Clones have an external belt driven motor. Nice machine.

Cari

I just gave my 15-91 to my good friend to sew on Canvas and Leather. That big round bulls eye on the right side of the machine UNSCREWS and you are supposed to fill it with lubricant. It hangs down so you can see it and has a screw driver slit in it to get it open. Be sure and do it. Under the wheel.

That White that BattleAxe has looks more like a 99 clone than a 15, it seems small. Neat looking machine.

I find that my 15-91 does not sew through thick layers well at all. It will stop altogether and I have to all but force it too go, sometimes it will most times it won't.

I wonder if it would improve with a bit of cleaning, oiling, and greasing? Maybe a motor service? There are stories of how the basic 15 will stitch through tin cans with out hesitating. I don't know the potted motor well at all, but there are a few here who swear it's the best on their 15 or 201, and is one of those models that should stand up to anything you can fit under the presser foot.