I thought it would be a good idea to show some shots of my machine in action and highlight some of its features that I like so much. I have been using this machine for about 5 years now and only had to have it tuned up when I got it. I probably have about 10 sewing machines at this point and a serger, in various conditions- THIS Singer 201 is the one I use every day! Thanks to Singer’s awesome record keeping and online serial number database I know that this machine was made in April 1947 in New Jersey. The previous owners had been using it as a table basically and Mum scored it for me for something like $25!! It is a rather smart design to have the machine fold down in the cabinet while not in use so that even if it is neglected it is more than likely inside, off the floor and protected from dust! You can find these cabinets/machines a lot and the wood may be beat up, but the machines are very sturdy and built to last and quite easy to keep tuned up with a little bit of oil. Actually the thing most likely to degrade on these machines is the old electrical cords, which fortunately are also easy to replace.
This is the foot that I use for everything; bag construction, zippers, top stitching, piecing, quilting, everything! There are different sewing machine feet for different jobs, but this one seems to work for me. I am curious to try a ‘walking foot’ that a lot of quilters use for quilting that bounces up and down a lot as you sew so as to not shift and push the fabric around too much. I also have various Singer feet that came with the machine, but that I never really use them. I spent a lot of time messing with them, but never felt like I was using them right. I need to get ahold of this book; The Sewing Machine Attachment book! The book focuses on vintage machine feet and their function.
I love this horizontal drop in bobbin style. It makes putting in a new bobbin so quick! You really just drop it in and pull the thread to the left through that little notch at 10 o’clock and then towards you. No extra bobbin case or anything. In fact threading the machine is a quick matter and I sometimes wish there were sewing machine competitions for fastest needle threader because I bet I could beat an automatic-threader any day! Well maybe most days. It also makes a full revolution, which I say because apparently not all bobbins do this in new machines and it can cause the bobbin to lock up a lot. ugh!
This horizontal bobbin style is especially handy with the clear plastic bobbins because I can slide open the door and see immediately if I still have enough wound up to continue stitching. Nothing is worse than running out of bobbin thread in the middle of a nice topstitch. That is when you will hear me cursing. The bobbin thread ending after a seam when you’re pulling away to snip the thread is the best timing. I guess I don’t always keep a close eye on it, but sometimes I get lucky and that is always a nice surprise.
Search your local Craigslist for old Singers and marvel in the cheap bounty! Why would anybody buy a new (plastic) machine?? I am here to talk you out of it. I say all the time those machines ruin more future seamsters than they create! Jump on the green bandwagon and restore one of these old beauties for yourself.
Stay tuned fine readers because I am working on some tutorials to post soon so that YOU CAN SEW! Up first are zipper pouches & easy composition notebook covers! I suppose some tips on what to look for when checking over an old machine would be good too. If there is anything specific you would like to see or know about sewing feel free to make requests!
