I didn't know this! I've only ever seen black 201s... Would love to see a picture of a white one, if you have it.

If I remember correctly, mother and grndmother both used a piece of cloth aroung the machine for pins. I think it was because the pincushion wsn't always handy. I will inherit my grndmother's machine from my oldest sister someday. :)

Ashley,
I have two "older" machines and a newer, 3 year old Janome. If I had it to do over again I would have just gotten the older machines. I have a featherweight, small 12 lb. singer that I use for piecing and classes. I also have a Singer 66 in a cabinet that I use for piecing and sewing heavier fabrics (although the featherweight can easily handle heavier fabrics as well). I do wish that one of my older machines had zigzag stitch but I can use my Janome for that if I need it.

I would recommend that you read on this board on different makes/models. Some like treadles and handcranks, "people powered".

I wouldn't buy an inexpensive new machine. I have friends who are machine technicians who have seen several people buy "entry level" machines. They frequently are upset when they start piecing and using the machine on a regular basis and have problems when the machine can't keep up and breaks down.

This thread has lots of information on cleaning up and repairing machines and cabinets. If you and your husband are at all handy you can probably find a good machine, clean it up, oil it and be ready to sew.

Hope this helps and I hope you find the perfect machine for you.

Marie M.

Donna Mare, you have my machine! Just kidding. Your machine is exactly like the one I got a couple of months ago. Even the cabinet is the same. I had to replace the front center drawer on my Eastlake cabinet because the one that came with it was for the coffin top model, not the dropdown model. Your cabinet looks in great shape. Have fun with it!
Teresa

Geeze, all three white FW's were made in 1964!

Nancy

Wow, Billy I love that fiddle base! I want to find one of those someday!

Nancy

The one that she is referring to is the later models that were a creamy tan color and were the same body style as the 185J/K.

Billy

I bet if you ever take some classes, you'd get hooked on the FW. What is so nice about the FWs is that you can go to class with a very small, tiny machine and still be using one of the vintage machines that we are all so fond of. I would love to own a 201 too, but they weigh a ton. I do a lot of classes for the comraderie, laughter, and mostly for a sewing day away from home and interruptions.

Nancy

Most any vintage Singer, the ones up to about the 600 series, pre 1970 are great machines. Stay away from the Touch and Sew that used plastic feed dogs and parts. The Rocketeer (500 series) are great machines. I love my 503a, but to make all the fancy stitches you have to use cams. My Rocketeer has a buttonhole attachment and a monogram attachment. I love the machine! Just be careful with any of the newer Singers.

You will be better off going to yard, barn, and thrift store sales to find a cheap machine. The shipping would cost more than most of those places charge. I got my 503a Rocketeer from a barn sale for $10! I got most of my vintage machines for under $50, even got a very nice treadle for $45. Just start hunting, as they say here, the machines will find you! Good luck!

Nancy

Hi Quilerguy27. I've always meant to tell you that your dog in your avatar cracks me up :mrgreen: Last year I fostered a huge black lab, named George, that crossed his legs like that. They look so comical when they do that.