Singer 201-2 or Singer 15-91
 

if you were to pick between the two machines, a 201-2 and 15-91, which one will you pick and why? just a little quiz. thanks guys.

That depends. If I already had a machine that does free motion quilting then I would choose the 201 since it is a beautiful machine for piecing. I adore the 201. However, if I needed the machine to perform free motion quilting, then I would get the 15-91 so that I could piece and free motion.

OK, I have both so I'm cheating.

I like the 201-2 far better than the 15-91. So if I had to choose I'd take the 201-2.

~But~ I don't do FMQ. So the larger arch and top loading bobbin of the 201 is much more to my liking.

~But #2~ I might take up FMQ without prior notice, so I'll keep 'em both.


That sure didn't answer your question did it?

OK, I like the larger arch and top loading bobbin on the 201-2.

I dislike the end loading bobbin on the 15-91 as I have larger hands than the folks way back when had when the machines were designed. I find the end loading bobbins of the Singers and other makes to be awkward and clumsy.
I live with it, but when I'm sewing I use the machines with top loading bobbins far more than the end loaders.

Joe

thanks for the input. granting you have the 201-2, will it be able to do a little bit of free motion quilting ? or not ?

partly you did. any reply or input is helpful. to ask you also, will 201-2 not be able to do FMQ ? never have experience with both so inputs from people who have used both machines will be much appreciated.

You can FMQ with a 201, but it preferable by many experienced quilters, to have a vertical bobbin- like the 15 for that. Many quilters don't like drop in bobbins as the tension may be a bit fussier for FMQing. I FMQ a lot, so the 15 is the machine for me. I wouldn't want a 201 because I already own 2 of the 15's ...unless I got one for very little $. If you're mainly piecing or doing general sewing the 201 may be your preference. If you want to add FMqing to your list the 15 would be the best bet.

I would have to say the 15 is the most flexible as a quilter. I would put a 15 on a frame...and the 201 I would not because of the drop in bobbin issue. So, it really depends on what the use of the machine would be..

having said this, then the 15-91 will be the best as it can do both FMQ and piecing, stitching and all. or shall i say could be the jack of all trades. correct me if i am wrong. the reason i am asking is i just want to get the opinion of the members who have tried both machine and wanted to dissect your brains. i googled all about 201 and 15-91 but nothing beats first hand experiences - and it's you guys who got those experiences. appreciate it.

vmaniqui,

I think the only problem with FMQ'ing on the 201-2 is the horizontal bobbin.

The tension issue comes from the thread path. The top loading bobbin machines such as the 201, 66, 99 and others requires the thread to take a 90° turn, follow around the bobbin case, then take another 90° back up. For normal sewing this is not a problem, but I've read many times it does for FMQ'ing.

The end loading bobbin machines have a straighter thread path. Down, around the bobbin case, then back up. No turns. Supposedly this keeps the tension more consistent.

Also I've read that lifting up a big heavy quilt to lift slide the slide plate and change a top loading bobbin is more difficult than lifting up a big heavy quilt to slide the slide plate and change an end loading bobbin. Honestly though I can't see the difference.

Joe

Do know someone who has both machines or at least someone that owns one of each near you that you could play with? I think you should try to buy both:> But, some swear their 201's are more heavy duty so, if you need to do more of that kind of work then you'll have to weigh the different needs. What do you need the machine to do? What must it do? What would you prefer it do? All are questions you should ask yourself. I catch and release machines quite frequently that don't match my needs.

There are things I like about either machine so it is a hard choice to only have one of them. The 15 is easier to clean out a thread nest in the bobbin area. Either one is a powerful machine. Either one does great stitches and are well made. Being someone who sets up two machines to sew - just get one of each... The bobbins don't interchange but the attachments do. If you have another machine choose the one that the bobbins interchange. The 15 uses class 15 bobbins and the 201 uses class 66 bobbins.

You are kind of asking the wrong crowd about which one to choose :D because most of us have both machines (and more!). I own 21 different types of machines at this time and am willing to buy more as they fit within my desires and budget. If you can, I suggest that you get both the 201 and the 15. If you want to do FMQ and can only purchase one, I would buy the 15. I have not even tried to FMQ with my 201 because I have several machines that do a great job at FMQ and my other horizontal bobbin machines have not been great FMQers. Please let us know what you decide.

totally wrong crowd to ask (ha ha ha). i know some members here have multiple nos. of one model. i wish i could afford it (not in a financial way) but my wife doesn't have the same passion as i do with all these treasures. i just wish she has that passion as all the members here. she's just so happy with her Husqvarna. in fact i was the one who insisted on her taking sewing lesson and buying a sewing machine. otherwise she'll be happy with manual sewing. if i have my choice i will keep on buying and just deal with other issues later on (like space, quantities, et al). it's just so hard to justify to her on why i need to have more sewing machines. even if i tell her it's my passion (i don't drink, i don't gamble, i don't smoke) she will not accept it. how do you guys/gals managed to do it ? maybe another question, ha. i envy the couples who go on a hunting trip (for a sewing machine) and quite frankly you guys are so lucky that you got a family support. you know what my wife told me - ' why do you need so many sewing machines'. i was like - ehhhh, sooooo, because, it's like, why, hmmmm can't answer her correctly. oh well...

I'm catch and release. I love to make the derelict machine work (not that I don't love the good ones, too.) but I learn so much from the machines that don't work. Then I'm happy to see the machine go to a good home. I love to mess with the different machines - it a whole new puzzle with each machine - you can put two machines of the same model next to each other and they will be different. It is fascinating.

I prefer the 15-91 hands down. You just can't beat them. I do FM on the 15 and I piece with the 15. I have 2 and might get another one. :)

One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the 201, the -2 or the -3:
It's much quieter than a 15. I like it a lot for that. Virtually silent and powerful.

The 15-91 is great, but the 15-90 isn't really less powerful, in practical use. The most practical benefit to the 15-91 is the motor is higher, so it interferes with the harp space less. I had a guy bring me some really old naugahyde, and wanted a machine that would stitch a few layers together. The 15-91 balked, but the 15-90 did it. Add to this the fact that if the fiber gear breaks in the 15-91, you're done. I don't know where to get them. If the 15-90 has trouble, the belt will slip.

My first quilt was FMQ'd on a 15-90. Not a single hiccup, but it sure was loud. ;)

' why do you need so many sewing machines'

Each one has something that the others don't do as well. DH has been supportive because I've been selective. I am more interested in function than collecting or fixing. It amuses him that I'm thrilled to bits over finding the $20 White to replace my ailing 1036. The only "frivolous" purchase was the treadle.

I prefer the bobbin case of the 15-91 because it's less fussy to clear out threadjams. One of my 201-2s I've worked on the bobbin case and the retainer clip wants to nick the needle and thread. On top of that someone put grease into the brush ports and I just redid the motor. It sews at only about 550 spm so i think the brushes may still be contaminayef. I turned the armature down a bit. Put in new wicks and rewired it. I'll post w pics tomorrow. Not the fault of the 201 but both of mine run slow.

I have 201k treadle and a 15-90. I've been quilting for over 25 years, I've tried to FMQ with the 201 and I don't seem to be able to do it. The 15-90 does it much easier and with no problems at all. I've been doing FMQ for years with a Bernina 930 & 1031, they both have the vertical bobbin.
Sharon

Now I admit it has been about a year since I took apart a 15-91 and even longer since I took apart a 201. Can someone clarify for me where the fiber gear is in the 15-91? I know on the 301, 401, 403, 404, 500, and 503 it is on the inside of the hand wheel and meshes with the worm gear coming up from the bottom of the machine. The hand wheel on a 15-91 is a solid piece of metal that slides over a metal shaft there is no fiber gear on the back side of the hand wheel.

The 15-91 was built and marketed to farmer's wives because of its ability to sew through heavy fabrics and light leather while being able to also do fine heirloom sewing. The 201 was marketed to tailoring shops as the 1200 in an industrial table with a knee lift and to women who were more into dressmaking than mending feed sacks. I have had both. I still have my 15-91. I use it for making buttonholes and ruffles.

The gear that's at the sewing machine side of the motor meshes with it. It's basically where that "collar" is on the 15-91. Pretty similar to the 301/401/500 style. I've often wondered if the fiber gear is the same, but haven't ever looked it up.

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Back in the day, when the machines were new, and the fiber gear still available, I'd say run that puppy through whatever you want, but the gears can be brittle with lack of grease, etc, and I "worry" about them now.

I don't know what that "fiber" is, or how it ages. Maybe if I knew that, I wouldn't worry about it as much. Or maybe I'd worry more ;)

One of the OSMG's on another group, and who is very well respected, made the comment that he has never seen one fail. I believe if failure was to become a problem with the machines someone would figure out a way to replace the gear with 3D printing. The 301, 400, and 500 series machines have a little bit of play built into them to prevent sudden failure which is a good thing!

I'm with you Joe. The top loader is better for my old fingers. I use my Janome Horizon for quilting and keep the 201-2 and 15-91 as pets just in case.
Just like I would like a hand crank for non-electric quilting, just in case.
Donna

Joe, I agree. I would like to have a hand crank for my 66 Redeye though, but not really for FMQ. Steve doesn't have one and I am still looking.
Donna

I agree. I have both and have them both set up, upstairs. The tension seems a little touchy on the 15-91 though. I am looking for a Singer hand crank for my 66 Redeye. Have always wanted one for off grid use. Don't really need it, just want one.
Donna

Can anyone tell me the throat space of a 15-91? All I've read here makes me want one, maybe, to go along with my Featherweights. I thought I saw somewhere that their throat was 8", which would give me 2" more than my Janome I use for FMQ, which would be helpful. And is a 15-90 the same?

i measured mine and it's about 8" (top part) on the bottom part it's about 7". 15-90 is the model with regular motor (not potted).

I just measured too and got the same. I will say my 201-2 has a bit more available throat space (nearly 9") than the 15-91 but I haven't quilted on either so I can't compare.

My modern Janome is closer to 7" as well.

I remember the difference between the 15-90 and the 15-91 by saying the 0 from the 90 is the visible belt and the oval it makes.

If you're using it for FMQ, the only benefit of the 15-91 vs the 15-90 is the 15-91 has the potted motor, which is mounted higher on the arm, and doesn't intrude into the harp space. The 15-90 is just fine for FMQ. I used mine to FMQ a lap quilt and it didn't even burp. It's often over looked for some reason, but I really like the 15-90. Hence why I don't have my 15-91 anymore. I have the 15-90 (belted motor) and the 201-2 (potted motor)

In theory, the potted motor (gear driven) is supposed to have more piercing power. In practice, my 15-90 did better with the old nasty naugahyde someone brought me to try than the 15-91 did. Same needle, both full serviced, etc.

To help gain a little quilting space for FMQ, turn the machine so the nose faces you (like it would be if it was on a frame) and quilt that way. Harp space is way less of a problem...