I don’t know what ignited the spark, but about two weeks ago I awoke one morning with a burning desire to get a vintage sewing machine. I knew nothing about them so spent the next few days scouring the internet to find out everything there is to know. Insert my spiel about how much I love the internet here! But I don’t need to tell you how good the internet is! I pretty quickly figured out how to tell between most Singer models by looking at them and also narrowed down which model I would ideally like, the Singer 201. I had trouble sleeping for the next week because my brain was just running hot thinking about vintage Singers. I even re-watched the episode of The Great British Sewing Bee where they use vintage machines.
Ok, so onto the history of my new lovely…
The machine was purchased in 1947 by a lady named Linda. She later passed it on to her daughter Patricia. Patricia had seven sons and stitched all their clothes on the machine. I purchased it from her son John, the eldest of the 7 brothers. John was very kind to fill me in on its history when I went to pick it up. John and his son were also kind enough to put it into the boot of the car for me. I am looking forward to making many things on it for me and the boys and it will continue to be loved for another generation. It really is a ‘things for boys’ sewing machine!
I’m in the process of giving it a clean all over and an oil and a polish where needed. All of these pictures are before cleaning. I pulled a fair bit of it apart, only because I thought it would be fun. It’s in really great condition and you can definitely tell it was very well loved. It came with the manual for the machine and the one for the motor, though they are a bit cut up. John told me that one of this brothers must have used them as a cutting board once.
To be on the safe side it’s going to need re-wiring, because I’m not brave enough to work on a cast iron sewing machine with 70 year old wiring. I think it will be fun to have a go at using the treadle anyway. The cabinet is really clever and you can connect the big pedal to a controller to use the motor, or you can connect it to the treadle wheel and use good, old-fashioned foot power! I’ve never used a treadle before so I’ve been watching videos on youtube to figure it out. It needs a new belt, so I’ve ordered one online. Same with a new tyre for the bobbin winder.
One of the great things about the Singer 201 (and most vintage singers) is that it uses modern standard needles, so I don’t need to have a second set of needles just for this machine. The bobbins and most parts for it are also easy to get online. The machine came with 10 bobbins and I’ve been picking the old and rotten thread off them. They are a bit rusty, so they’re on the list to clean too.
Here’s some of the more technical details for you. Keep reading if you’re interested.
My new-to-me machine is a Singer 201, or more specifically the 201K. The K means it was made it Scotland. You can read a bit about their history here. It was allotted on October 14 1947 in a batch of 25,000 machines and built soon after. At the time, they cost up to 6 months wages!!
They are made from cast iron and weigh about 14kg (30lbs) so I won’t be taking it to any sewing parties in a hurry! I think the cabinet weighs a little more than that too. It has a drop in bobbin, is straight stitch only, but has reverse and comes with quite a few scary looking attachments. They look more to me like Victorian era dentist’s tools. It’s a full size machine with a lot of space to the right of the needle…one day I might try some quilting on it. The feed dogs also drop (there is a screw underneath to set them in two positions, up or down) so you can do free motion quilting and darning. It is geared internally so there’s not a lot that can go wrong, and it also makes it pretty tough. You can wind a bobbin without having to unthread the machine, though you do need a second spool of thread.
Most of the Singer 201 models from the 1940’s had the beautiful detailing on the chromed plates as you can see in the photos at the top. Later models from the 1950’s have a more streamlined pin-striped pattern. My modern machine is certainly lacking any beautiful detailing. It’s easy to see why I’ve fallen in love with it and I haven’t even sewn on it yet!
Since I bought the machine and posted a few pics on Instagram, I have found quite a few other people also sewing with them. I think it’s great that they are still in use. Do you have a vintage sewing machine? Have you ever thought about buying one? Leave a message if you need any encouragement…haha!
Tracy says
I inherited a beautiful machine from my great auntie. She bought it new in 1920 and it was also made in Scotland. I had to get a new motor for it and a new rubber band thingy but it was well worth it, as it sews like a dream. It will only go forwards in straight stitch but I haven’t found that to be a major limitation to my sewing at all. Every time I use it I think about my great auntie sewing with it 94 years ago!!!! I also have a thoroughly modern sewing machine which I use when I need to do lots of zigzagging.
abby says
how lovely Tracy! The 15k model is meant to be really good. So wonderful to have it still in the family too.
Tracy says
Forgot to add, my model is a 15K.
a touch of domesticity / katie sparrow says
I have a lovely old Singer that folds away into a cabinet with a motor. It belonged to my parents’ friend’s sister, and before that his mother. This friend used it to sew sails! To be honest I’ve not used it since I brought it home as there are always small boys around (and their playmobil pirate ship and knight castle live on top of the cabinet!). But in the last week, with the youngest now at nursery in the mornings, I’ve shifted most of the toys out of the playroom/sewing room and put a large cutting table in instead, and the room is now mine, all mine (cue crazy evil laugh!). I think now’s the time to get that Singer out and give it a spin!
abby says
definitely time to have a play! Happy sewing!
Mohini says
I have inherited a speed queen ..i dont know its singer or not..was purchased in england in 1950…i am not using it much though my Mom in law used it quite frequently till she survived…it is with all kind of attachments…i will try taking pictures n send it …but i dont know why the stitches are not gud..like it misses a few stitches…i tried repairing it but i m not able to use it…
abby @ thingsforboys says
They are fun to play with! You may need to keep investigating to figure out what’s going on. A fresh needle is always a good start.
Wanda Presley says
How delightful to read about your ‘new’ vintage Singer sewing machine and all of its history! By all the comments there are quite a few machines out there, too! I’m lucky enough enough to have a 1920 Singer portable cast iron (30 lb.) in the most beautiful bent wood case. I got a full tune up done (yes, including rewiring) about 17 years ago when I got it and it works like a dream! I have even brought it to the cottage and finished many quilts on the picnic table in the sun! Now that’s a vacation! My girlfriend also has a restored treadle in her living room ~ a beautiful antique and still working as well! I look forward to hearing of your further sewing adventures! Be well and happy!
abby says
how lovely Wanda! The bentwood cases are beautiful. I think one day I’d like to get a hand-crank machine in a bentwood case. Like you say, not exactly portable, but nice to use out in the back yard.
Andrea Firth says
Aren’t vintage Singers wonderful? Have fun playing with your new toy. I’m envious that you have such a complete history of your machine. It’s so great to have something that has been shown such love by all it’s owners.
abby says
They are so fabulous! They have so much soul compared to my modern machines. Sew such perfect stitches too. I recently got a 15K. It’s frozen solid so I’m working on getting it moving. No real history on that machine unfortunately, but I think I can get it going.
David says
I have to agree with you, a 201 is the best! 20+ years ago, I passed by then stopped at a yard sale. An older lady was selling her Singer 201-2, a potted motor (gear driven enclosed motor) in a portable case. She was asking $30.00 as I recall and I thought that was a good deal. I just wanted an old heavy duty Singer to sew stuff on and didn’t know I was getting the best of their models. It was later I learned how good it is. Though it has a lot of paint wear and scratches, it has always sewed smooth and quiet. The 201 features that I think sets it apart is ; no bobbin case to lose, no need to tip the machine or reach under it to change the bobbin, reverse and forward stitches the same length (the 15 models have this feature) the feed dogs can drop, tensioner facing the operator (model 99’s and 66’s have this feature). It’s like the best of all the features all in one good old machine. A few years back, I found another 201-2 in a cabinet and bought it for a back-up/spare machine as it’s finish is almost like new. I gave the cabinet to a cousin as I plan on putting it in a portable case. I will need to re-wire it but it has the original wall plug as well as the original Singer Bakelite machine plug so all I need to do is replace the wire cords.
Then, a year or two ago, I learned they made more models of the 201, such as belt driven and treadles. Oh, I have always liked the look of that nice spoked handwheel on the Singers. I kept looking and found a 201K treadle in an enclosed wood cabinet on craigslist. I called and it was still there, so I hurried out and paid the $50.00 happily. It is a 1937 201K. It has some wear and isn’t pristine, but for it’s age, it’s in great shape. So far, I have only sewn a few test runs on some folded over paper towels, but it is smooth and quiet!
Thanks for your blog and your story.
David says
I forgot to mention that when I got my first 201, it had a fabric pin cushion wrapped around the upper arm beside the front mounted light. I removed that to find almost all the paint scratched off to bare metal 🙁 . All of the S, the I and half of the N were gone from the main decal. I’ve since touched up the black missing paint. I often sew nylon webbing tie-down straps over hooks and it sews just fine. The largest and thickest project I’ve sewn was in 2001 when I sewed a 15′ x 15′ Sunbrella tarp to cover my home-made covered wagon camp trailer. The seams are 4 layers thick and it sewed these just fine. The hems are turned under twice, so are 3 layers thick. so, when I came to the seams, there are 4layers times 3, yes, 12 layers of Sunbrella canvas and it sewed right through them.
Jo Graham says
I’ve just bought a 1958 201K which sits in a little table. Gorgeous, and a bargain and when I came home and Googled – WOW! How lucky was I to get the little star that a 201 turns out to be? It was made in Scotland and has stayed in Scotland. It has a few issues but as I have the original manual, I have at least been able to oil it properly and give it a quick clean. My problem is finding spare parts so I have emailed Mr Sewalot (his videos are fab) and I’m looking for someone reasonably local to give it the once-over and make it perfect again. I am planning to re-create a trip that my grandparents made in 1955, driving from Dunfermline in Scotland to Monte Carlo and we are doing the whole trip in 1950’s dress. I am hoping to most of the clothes using my 1950’s machine (some practice required – ahem) but need to get it going first. Any ideas where I can try to diagnose machine problems not covered in the manual? Lovely to find your blog!
abby says
How wonderful! Your trip sounds amazing. It’s possible to download a service manual for the machine as well, which has a lot more info in it. You should be able to find it for free. The ‘Vintage Sewing Machines’ facebook group is also a wealth of knowledge. They have answered many a question for me.
saime güler says
Merhaba ben Yury deyim 201 k aldim 7 ay önce. muhteşem dikişi var.lambasi motoru vardi her parça orijinal. motorda ariza var .çıkarttım ayaklı kabine monte ettim.harika makine. yeni modellerinden daha güzel bence. İsveç yada İskoçya yapımı sanırsam. rengi açık kahve. güzel dikişler arkadaşlar.
saime güler says
Türkiye den selamlar.201 k kahve renkli singer dikiş makine süper.
Kirsten Reiners says
how cool is this – I just had a similar experience, suddenly wanted a vintage machine and did some searching and perused the local flee market website…..and it gets better: I bought a 201 K as well – even from the same production batch – sisters!!! I have not cleaned it yet, but look forward to sew some serious jeans on it 😀
abby says
that’s awesome! Hope you get on as well with yours as I do with mine!
Meg Hogg says
I found myself in the same head space a few months after retiring? I like to make purses and alter/repair clothing, lots of denim and leather for the purses. Remembering the machine I learned to sew on I got an inexpensive modern machine. It didn’t make it through the first project. So, I got a modern (and expensive!) but basic machine and it does lots of different stitches, really I can’t complain but it was not up to my denim and leather either. A friend told me to look for a vintage Singer in a treadle cabinet – “get the one with the torpedo bobbin!” I did find one, an early 1900’s Singer 127 in a treadle. Unfortunately those “torpedo bobbins” are not really easy to find and they’re not interchangeable either so the 127 is a decorative addition to my sewing space. So then I did get out the computer and start looking at machines, quite quickly coming up with the 201 as the machine I should have been looking for all along. Found one at a silent auction in a Thrift shop and a week later she came home with me. She was equipped with a motor and rubber band, and lots of bare wiring. But since I wanted to use her in the treadle cabinet it was just a matter of removing the electrics and mounting in the treadle. The result is a wonderful sewing machine that will sew practically anything, and I love her!
abby says
How exciting! The 201 is such a great machine isn’t it?!
Bev says
Hi
I have a 201 and I was wondering what size and brand of needles do you use in them?
abby says
they take a regular 15×1 needle. I like to use Schmetz needles. The flat side of the needle (the back of the needle) goes to the left and you thread, right to left.
Tom O'Brien says
You can use the singer universal combo pack of needles,I just picked up a 201K at a bargain store.
Just missing the bobbin but cleaned and oiled and it is in beautiful condition!
Tom O'Brien says
Does anyone know off hand the bobbin # the 201K takes?
abby says
The 201 uses a class 66 bobbin. They are slightly domed.
Jacob Cosquer says
Hey! I loved reading this post and really enjoyed it, I am thinking of buying an antique sewing machine (probably a singer) and have looked into it a little but still a bit confused,
I know singer released a lot of different 201 models and I was just wondering which model was best? Ideally I would love one that has an electric pedal instead of a hand crank!
I absolutely love the design of vintage sewing machines and could never see myself using one of those white plastic boxes, I am wanting to start creating and making my own clothes and would love to start my journey on an old singer 201!
Any other tips for me would also be really appreciated! I am a beginner with little experience (only experience at secondary school) so any of you guys who have been seeing with these machines for ages wanting to help me out would be amazing!
Thankyou 🙂
abby says
There are a few variants of the 201, but they are all much the same. The only real difference is some have a potted motor (geared directly onto the shaft) and other have a screw on motor, the runs the machine via a belt. I don’t think one is much better than the other. The potted motor variety are common in the US, but the rest of the world will mostly come across the belted variety. Join the ‘vintage sewing machine’ facebook group for a rabbit hole you’ll never climb out of. A wealth of information! Happy sewing!
Elaine Higgins says
I have a Singer that I can’t find anything about by the number H1328217 that is on it, Only thing I have found out if it’s true is that it has a rare celtic scrolls on it. Any help
Maude Hebert says
According to the International Sewing Machine Collectors Society (ISMACS),your sewing machine is a Singer model 27 (the 27-4 ?). It was allotted on February 6 1906 in a batch of 60,000 machines.
Maude Hebert says
Sorry. Instead, it is a model 66 and was allotted on May 14 1907 in a batch of 25,000 machines.
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-h-series-serial-numbers.html
Vivienne Bolton says
Am worried now about being able to lift the Singer 201k hand crank especially as I am picking mine up today. The owner has just advised me he is unable to assist due to physical issues and I am picking it up in a few hours time! Will I need a trolley or something? I was excited but now am really apprehensive – have I done the right thing in buying such a beast?
Abby Rudakov says
If it is a handcrank, I’m assuming it’s a ‘portable’ machine and not in a table. If so, I would say they are able to be lifted by one person, just make sure to lift safely. If it is in a cabinet, take some screwdrivers so that you can remove the machine from the cabinet and then lift them separately. Happy sewing Vivienne! They are lovely machines!