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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: blackie
Date: 01-20-2006, 06:21 PM (1 of 13)
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I have a 1950 Singer that was gifted to me. It has all the accoutrement (including a buttonholer attachment that weighs as much as one of my children) and looks to be in great shape. It is the kind that sets in it's own table. I don't even know how to start with it. Should I just but the manual (which I found at Singer), open it up, and try to sew something simple? I have had it for almost three years and never touched it out of fear! My other machine is a Kenmore 385.1652 and works OK. It is probably worth less than the Singer. But I can't help but wonder if the Singer is superior and I should be using it. Any input? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-20-2006, 06:58 PM (2 of 13)
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I had a machine like that for many years. It was my Grandmother's. Mine developed a problem that was reoccuring, and it cost $75 to $100 to fix it each time. I paid that twice and then thought; that could have bought me a new machine. So when it did it again I opted to get a new machine. Many days I wish like heck that it still worked. I miss having the big flat suface to sew on. I say go for it! Get the manual and play around with it. The buttonholer takes some getting used to but mine made beautiful buttonholes. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 01-20-2006, 09:15 PM (3 of 13)
| I have 2 1947 Singers, one was my Mom's that she bought new & she was a seamstress in our home. The other one was my first machine bought used & it's a portable. Still have those & they work perfect. Button holers are fantastic. Don't be afraid of them. Have another Singer that was Mom's & it's the dressmaker 500. Another super machine. I seldom use them anymore as I have to store them in other rooms. One is in a beautiful queen Ann cabinet & it sets in my living room as it's beautiful & matches my furniture. Those machines last forever if cared for. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 01-20-2006, 11:21 PM (4 of 13)
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Since the machine has no real monitary value (how much would you pay for a machine that only straight stitches?) it could have a lot of sentimental value. I would not get rid of it. It will serve as a good back up, or should you want to sew something like (reupholstering something) that you don't want to risk on your regular machine it'll be there. Just my 2 cents If you just want to get it out of your way what I do when I get one as a trade-in is donate it to a Senior citizens home. They often have rec. rooms for sewing groups etc. It is easy enough for them to learn how to use quickly and the ladys really appreciate it. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-20-2006, 11:27 PM (5 of 13)
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If the Singer is made before 1980...I'd keep it. No matter what it did or didn't do. I have a Singer from the 80's..I can't give the thing away...and I've tried EVERYONE..Goodwill wouldn't even take it... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: wghmch
Date: 01-21-2006, 01:06 AM (6 of 13)
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You should really identify what model you have, which you could likely do at the ISMACS site. www.ismacs.net/singer/models.html#household Some are lots better than others, but most are good old machines. Be sure you lubricate it thoroughly before you use it, and if you get fascinated by it, there are a number of on line Groups that enjoy collecting, repairing, and using these old machines. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: blackie
Date: 01-21-2006, 11:39 AM (7 of 13)
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You should really identify what model you have, which you could likely do at the ISMACS site. www.ismacs.net/singer/models.html#household Some are lots better than others, but most are good old machines. Be sure you lubricate it thoroughly before you use it, and if you get fascinated by it, there are a number of on line Groups that enjoy collecting, repairing, and using these old machines. Bill Holman Thank you so much for the input. The ISMACS site has been helpful. I have Model 201, which, according to that site, "The Singer 201 is considered by most collectors to be the best sewing machine Singer ever made." I guess the next step is to order the manual. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Sancin
Date: 01-21-2006, 04:50 PM (8 of 13)
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Blackie, I recently watched and eventually bought a Singer Featherweight Sewing machine on Ebay - the one everyone says is the best straight stitcher made. My grandmother gave me hers in 1959 when I started university. I sewed 'around the world' with it and traded it in when I needed a zigzag stitcher when stretch fabrics became available. I was always sorry I did that considering how much machines cost then and now and it had much sentimental value. The singer I purchased on Ebay has no attachments or instruction manual but I did find a manual on line after several google searches - start by typing in singer xxx instruction manual and follow links. From your description yours doesn't sound like a Featherweight, which is a portable. If you search singer sewing machines on ebay you will get lots of pictures and information (some wrong) about your machine. Good Luck and enjoy your machine. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 01-22-2006, 06:53 PM (9 of 13)
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I have an old 15-91 (almost identical to the 201) and a 127? treadle. I learned to sew on the 15-91, my mum gave it to me a few years ago. It is the 'portable' version with a big heavy wooden case. I find they need a lot more oil etc. compared to a modern machine, but sew a nice straight stitch.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 01-22-2006, 09:21 PM (10 of 13)
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As you've read the 201 may have been the best machine Singer every made. At any rate it was very good. As Bill pointed out be sure to lubricate it before using it. That model is a gear drive machine and the motor has not been available for years. Keep it clean and well lubricated and you may find it is your favorite machine for straight stitching. If the motor every begins to run slowly or you notice a smell get it in for servicing immediately.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: wghmch
Date: 01-22-2006, 10:23 PM (11 of 13)
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There is also a free 201 IB (instruction book) that you can download on the same site at www.ismacs.net/singer/manuals/201.pdf but I will warn you that it is a very large file. I've been downloading it over my phone connection for the last couple of hours. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: blackie
Date: 01-22-2006, 10:52 PM (12 of 13)
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There is also a free 201 IB (instruction book) that you can download on the same site at www.ismacs.net/singer/manuals/201.pdf but I will warn you that it is a very large file. I've been downloading it over my phone connection for the last couple of hours. Bill Holman Thank you, Bill! I have DSL and the file took less than a minute. So how would I know if the 201 IB works for my machine? Are there several versions of the 201? Thank you for your help! Kelly see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: wghmch
Date: 01-23-2006, 12:57 PM (13 of 13)
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There were several versions of the 201, but only one that was made in the US. This is the 201-3, which is what this book is for, and it is the version with the built in gear drive motor. The other versions were primarily different only in the motor set up, except for a late version that was a slightly more modern shape. The sewing mechanism was identical in them all. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
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