Singer 201 Sewing Machine
The Singer 201 is an incredible, high quality, straight stitch sewing machine, with an easily accessed drop in rotary hook class 66 bobbin system, calibrated stitch length and reverse, with a feed dog drop for darning and embroidery.
(Please pardon the constant updates, as I attempt to redo my 201 blog post. The original was written many years ago, and somehow, disappeared, which I only became aware of, recently. My photos of my 201 are on my desktop computer, and my 201-2 is currently buried beneath the emptyings of my dear hubby's pockets, as it hides in Singer cabinet 65, with the bench, as a bedside table!)
Features-
Drop in class 66 rotary bobbin system (many machine quilters and free motion embroidery fans, prefer this bobbin configuration, which is also easier on those with arthritic hands, compared to the vertical class 15 bobbin system of Singer 15 models
Calibrated stitch length
Reverse
Low shank presser feet
201-1 treadle
201-2 Potted motor
201-3 Belted motor
201-4 hand crank
Originally only in Singer's original basic classic black, Singer also made a newer tan modernized 201 which has has a more angular body style
ACCESSORIES-When purchased new, each 201 came with a small box of presser feet and accessories, which varied, over the years, the typical green cardboard box with Singer in bold red letters, for the 201, usually contained a rolled hemmer foot, an adjustable rolled hemmer, a shirring foot, an edgestitcher, a binder, a ruffler, a cording/zipper foot, bobbins, a paper pack of Singer needles, and a large and small screwdriver.
Until I photograph my 201 accessories again, here is a set of Singer blackside (World War 2 era finish for presser feet when metals like chrome and nickel, were restricted to military use) presser feet, which can beused on the 201, however, please note the blackside bobbin in this photo is a class 15 bobbin, not a 201 class 66 bobbin.
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| Blackside low shank accessories (bobbin shown is class 15, not the class 66 required by the 201) Back row ruffler, adjustable hemmer, binder, rolled hemmer, cording/zipper foot, shirring foot, class 15 bobbin, Quilting foot with adjustable seam guide, seam guide and thumb screw, large and small screwdrivers |
Keep in mind, despite the 201 being a straight stitch only, machine, Singer made available zigzaggers with a variety of decorative zigzag stitches, plain zigzaggers, a blind hemmer, and a fabulous all metal buttonholer, with a variety of cams, so you are not limited to straight stitching, with your 201.
The correct buttonholer for the 201 is the low shank Singer buttonholer in the green case.
I love sharing excellent blog posts about my favorite machines, here are some of my favorite 201 blog posts -
Alex Askaroff Singer 201 blog post
Rain's 201 blog- with wiring information
https://vssmb.blogspot.com/2012/01/complete-how-to-re-wire-potted-motor.html?m=1
Another great 201 information source-
Singer had incredibly well written and illustrated manuals, which actually taught not only how to sew with your machine, and the special accessory presser feet, but also, how to maintain your machine, yourself!
I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of getting the correct manual, and reading it, cover to cover, while getting to know your machine.
The needle and thread chart in the back of these manuals can save all kinds of headaches, and prevent stitching problems, by choosing the correct needle and thread size for your fabric, before you start to sew.
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| Feed dog drop mechanism for darning and free motion embroidery |
