During the glory days of Singer Sewing Machines Singer produced the model 201 from the 1930s to at least the 1950s. It was their finest (and highest priced) machine. Thousands of these machines were produced and most of them are still sewing as finely and strongly today as they did when first produced.

Research the Singer 201 and youll find more than one reference stating that the 201 is the finest sewing machine Singer ever made. While I cant authoritatively say the same (I havent tried all the machines Singer ever made!) I havent found anything about the 201 that would make me disagree with that statement.

I really appreciate fine mechanical and electronic devices. I like old Hammond clocks and organs tube amplifiers and vintage guitars vintage sports cars gizmos and gadgets like that. About 10 years ago (in a fit of midlife crisis) I bought a used Porsche 944. When I sit down at the Singer 201 and press the foot pedal I get a very similar feeling to that experienced when cruising down the highway in the Porsche at a waytoofast speed the smooth and comfortable feeling of machinery performing perfectly.

I compare it to a Porsche and Ive seen others compare it to driving a Ferrari!

Singer produced at least four different versions of the 201:

2011 Treadle version 2012 Potted motor and geardriven 2013 External motor and beltdriven 2014 Handcrank (original factory not later conversion)

The 201 is a sturdy and heavy machine not a portable at all! This is not a slim and sexy sports car its a fullsized classy and luxurious grand touring sedan! Its built to last but does need maintenance to perform its best. Youll need to oil it regularly and also grease the gears from time to time. You can unscrew the circular silver plate on the backside of the machine to reveal the gears and the greasing points. Use regular Singer Sewing Machine gear grease (not oil!). Use sewing machine oil only at the recommended oiling points. This rotary hook machine uses a Class 66 bobbin (means very little vibration great stitch quality and easily found bobbins.)

The machine is easy to thread and easy to use. The fact that some of these machines are going on 80 years old and still outsewing modern machines is a telling point theyll probably last at least another 80 years! Maintain them well and theyll keep sewing well longer than you or I probably will!

One reason the machine is so easy to use is that it is a straight stitch only machine. A single stitch ... but a beautiful and perfect straight stitch! You wont find yourself fighting the 201 like you might battle with low end plastic machines less time fighting means less time fixing and redoing problems and less frustration!

Even though the machine is straight stitch only Singer and other vendors made a host of attachments that offer a world of possibilities freeform embroidery buttonholes zigzag blindhemming pretty much anything you want from a quality sewing machine is easily achievable.

Best of all prices tend to be really low (supply and demand Singer made zillions of these machines!). Youll often pay way less than you would for a plastic import that may die a deserved death after a few weeks or months of sporadic sewing and youll gain a lifelong sewing servant.

How should you view the Singer 201 Well think back on the Porsche/Ferrari analogy except lower the price to less than $100! This machine purrs like the wellcrafted piece of machinery it is. It feels quality: if you know what I mean. This machine will definitely be in your keeper list.

Curious check out the Singer 201 in action!

Joey Robichaux rides the Road Warrior consulting circuit and maintains the popular Free Sheet Music Downloads website; he also collects and reviews vintage sewing machines.

Tags: backside glory days gears electronic devices mid life crisis original factory

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