Clone is fine, Other brands are fine. The search is for "fancy decals" and "backtack/reverse" lol

What does she wish to use it for, clothing or quilts or both?

There are many black Singer 15s with pretty decals. A cool decal is the RAF. She should research on what decal she prefers to own, and then keeping a eye out for it to show up on CL or elsewhere at a decent price.

If her interests are mainly sewing clothes, then I would look for a Singer 201. If her interests are mainly quilting, then go for a Singer 15.

We stopped at a yard sale today after driving past several others that didn't look like they had much. The guy started coming over to the car, otherwise we might have just kept on going this time too. Well, I asked him if he had any old sewing machines, and he said that he had one that was older than both of us, (we are senior citizens) and went in to get it. It is a hand crank Gritzner Durlagh. YEA!!! I have a HAND CRANK!!! I pointed out that the top case was in bad shape. Someone had tried to fit it down on the machine with the handle out, which doesn't work. I made sure there was a bobbin in the shuttle, and turned the hand wheel, which was quite stiff, but did move. I offered him $25.00, thinking he'd want more, but he took it! Wonder if I could have gotten it for less! Now I've cleaned it and oiled it and it moves smoothly, but the plates to the front, back, and right side don't move yet. Put some oil on them to see if that will help, then may try the blow dryer if needed. NOW I need some information as to how to thread it, what size needles does it need, and any other help that I can get. Don't know the age of it, and can't post pictures. :( But it does have the mother of pearl flowers in the middle of the base and around the edges of the base in several colors. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. Thanks, Janis

Thanks for the reply, she has no interest in quilting yet, only clothes.

They 201 is awesome (we have one, as well as a 66) but really plain decals. I was hoping to find an older machine with fancy decals that also has reverse/backtack.

http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/Gritzner.pdf

Here is a link to some information for you Janis

http://www.sewalot.com/gritzner_sewing_machines.htm

Some more info

Thanks Caroline, one of the sites tells of what their serial number is, and for the life of me, I can't find one on my machine. I did find 3 numbers stamped under the base of the machine,( but figure that's the part number) and another group of 3 numbers on the hand wheel, (also probably part numbers) but don't think that's what they were talking about. Any idea of where they are, and what size needle it takes. I also need a new rubber for the winder as it had been left next to the handwheel and is flat on one side. Does anyone else have one of these machines? I'd kind of like to know just how old this machine might be.

Steve,

Here's a purty one: { http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem...temID=12887365 }
It needs a case or cabinet and a motor or what ever you want to fit it with, but it's got reverse and fancy decals.

Joe

http://quiltville.blogspot.co.uk/201...nes-oh-my.html
original. http://quiltville.blogspot.co.uk/201...again-sam.html
This is quite the collection. I used the top URL but it may be that the 2nd one also works. Lifted from ISMACS daily digest for April 3, 2013. Enjoy the site.

Wow, Chris, this should be it's own post - a lot of the other stuff that gets posted should be on here...

Wow Chris, THANK YOU!!! If my honey ever tells me again that I have too many machines, I will show her this.:D Seriously, that is an amazing collection. I saw a lot of machines there that I have not even seen before. She had it set up very well and displayed like a museum. That Tourist is quite interesting.
~G~