Laura, I just ordered some roller feet for my 31's after watching a video someone posted on here - was it Monica who posted the u-tube on 31's? I don't remember, but it was pretty impressive to watch the 31 going over several layers of leather with that roller foot!

Nancy

Nancy- I know- that was a cool video. I"ve never sewn anything out of leather. I have a friend who buys leather skirts at the thrift store and makes cool bags out of them- there are A LOT of size small leather skirts out there! I bought a Juki "stippling foot", and it was kind of funny for me to buy a $35 foot for an $80 machine.:p I mean, I know that the machine was a great deal, but I so rarely buy anything new that it was kind of funny to see what "real" prices are! Have you ever noticed how much a Bernina ruffler foot goes for? I probably have twenty rufflers lurking around the house.

I'm TRYING:o to be moderate about this machine, and have promised to only buy one specialty foot at a time, so that I learn to use each one for this machine and evaluate if I really need it. It's not like I am going to abandon my beloved 201, and it has every foot under the sun. BTW the Charlene Phillips book on attachments is the one that worked for me to learn all the different feet. Most all of the pictures feature vintage machines, too. Laura

I porsted a link to the roller foot 31, I really like that one and am thrilled that someone here is going to give the roller a shot.
I also begged for a picture of the treadle 31, so thank you for that! I think it looks super, and am very anxious to hear that it working well for you. My little 103 industrial is nearly the same machine, only it appears taller and has a "stubby" arm...only about an inch longer than normal (say a 15 or 66)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]337046[/ATTACH]Well, I just picked up this 201-2 Saturday. I paid $20 for the machine. It had a nice case, but the guy sold the machine on e-bay. It was returned to him without packing - just put in a box and shipped back to him, so you can imagine what the case looks like now! It was frozen solid. I have been tinkering around with it for a couple days now and it finally moves, but not a complete round yet. I didn't have a 201 so I was surprised to find out that they are horizontal rotary hooks! I was also surprised by the throat space. The 201 is about 1" taller and longer than most other machines.

Nancy[ATTACH=CONFIG]337041[/ATTACH]

That is a nice looking 201-2, Nancy, too bad about the case.

Monica, I got brave and took apart my Spartan, to change the race wick. At first I thought I would just clean the area, and not change the wick, but it was pretty bad. I have a question the screw (wire spring looking) that holds the wick, did not come out, the wick came out, without any trouble. Do I have to remove the screw to put the new wick in? Any tips or suggestions. I hope I can put it back together. I have a 66-1 that will be next when the Spartan is all done. Thank you! Anamaria

Bojangles/Nancy,
You'll just love your 201 once you get it moving right. I love my treadle, so nice to sew with and almost no sound when it sews. Very pretty machine!
Sharon W.

greyhare,
If I remember right you take some felt and stuff it into the spring with a stiletto. Then drip some oil onto your new race felt.

At least, that's how I do it! When I didn't have any wool felt around, I tossed a length of wool yarn in the wash with the jeans, inside a sock closed with a rubber band. It felted down to the right diameter for wicks. Laura

That's why I chose the 201 to be my free motion machine. Luckily, I'd never heard that a horizontal hook couldn't FMQ, so it worked for me. It is the quietest motor driven machine I've heard. Don't forget the grease tubes on the motor. I'm sure it is happy to come live in an understanding home! Laura

I got a 201, too - all dressed in black melted wire tar thrown in free
[ATTACH=CONFIG]337096[/ATTACH]
That is not chrome it is black - picture is off - the front pic didn't pull up