Behold, the beautiful Singer 201!
I finally trained it down to Rain's place yesterday and, wouldn't you know I forgot to bring my camera again -- rats! The best way to describe Rain's loft is to picture Santa's workshop if he only made sewing machines and employed just one short Korean elf. There are vintage Singer sewing machines and sewing machine tables in every nook and cranny (Rain is strictly a Singer man), many of which are in the process of being restored. Featherweight cases (with Featherweights in them) line the stairs to his sleeping loft. It's all very industrial-chic.
If you haven't visited Rain's Vintage Singer blog lately, please do; it's a great new resource for vintage sewing machine aficionados.
Of course the 201, once the top-of-the-line Singer, is a fantastic sewing machine. This one dates from 1940 and Rain restored it beautifully. Like the 15-91 it is gear-driven, and has the familiar "potted" motor. It's smooth as silk to sew with, quiet, and extremely powerful. I already used it to work on my BurdaStyle halter dress, which I hope to finish today so that it's ready for Leah to try on one last time tomorrow.
I stitched the last bit of boning to the edge of the invisible zipper, and then stitched the bodice lining on.
I think it turned out quite nicely.
I have to finish stitching the lining down and then will start hemming. Eventually I'll add a waist stay and then there's also that bodice trim to add along the top. I am looking forward to putting this project behind me, friends! Eventually we'll do a big photo shoot, probably some time next week.
What else?
As for decluttering, that may have to wait till tomorrow. Or Friday. We're away on Saturday, so by the very latest Sunday. Actually, I think next week would work perfectly. Definitely this month.
Have a great, clutter-free day, everybody!
How do you like my new sewing machine?
I love your new sewing machine, and am totally coveting it! LOL Happy Wednesday! ☺
ReplyDeleteI have one and I LOVE it!!!! I will never part with it. It is smooth and strong and just so nice to sew on. It goes through denim like butter. You will love it!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ "Santa's workshop if he only made sewing machines and employed one short Korean elf."
ReplyDeleteI paid $90 for my Singer 201-2, and absolutely believe that was the best $90 I've ever spent on anything sewing related.
ReplyDeleteBut *FREE* is even better!!
Of course, I blame you for getting me started...
Cadienne in Louisiana
it's gorgeous. My vintage machine works extremely well, but it looks clunky next to your new Singer....
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful machine. Enjoy sewing on it. The dress is looking great so far.
ReplyDeleteWhen are we going to see Cathy again?
Love it, and love the one I inherited from my beautiful mother. One thing I remember is her sewing late into the night on a beautiful white satin long coat with frog closures to wear over my prom dress. Oh how I wish I still had it (the coat . . . luckily I still have the machine)!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are not only collecting the machines but putting them to excellent use. Rain is the coolest.
ReplyDeleteA very wise person once said "Blessed be the recyclers, the reusers and repurposers; those putterer-savants, those backyard mechanics, those genius fixer-uppers; for they shall be our salvation."
I adore your new machine, my mum has a vintage Singer too, from 1950 made in Scotland. They plough through thick material like no other machine!
ReplyDeleteSweet! Both the machine and the dress! Is that swiss dot you are using to line it?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Peter, after reading this I'm longing for a vintage Singer!! I need a good solid machine with a simple straight stitch, these machines of today just don't compare to the vintage ones, I don't need all of that computerized embroidery crap that so many have and those vintage machines were made of metal unlike these plastic things today!
ReplyDeleteThree words: It's about time!
ReplyDeleteI predict that your other machines will start to feel a bit neglected now....
Good luck with the machine! I inherited my mom’s 1957 Singer Slant-O-Matic and a Singer industrial machine that had been refurbished from I don’t know what year. Both are metal workhorses that I plan to use forever (though the industrial machine is crazy fast for someone who’s not that experienced). A few years ago, someone gave me a modern machine and it was a piece of junk. Everything was plastic and it never worked well. Never. I put it out on the curb and never regretted it. Rain is a hero for keeping the old Singers going.
ReplyDeleteOMG! How ironic? I just got one too. It's a 201-2 and is being shipped to me. Can't wait to see more of your projects make with this beauty in the future!
ReplyDeleteI love it. And I heart the link to Rain, who I now realize I have run into on the wefixit group. I got very lucky and recently found a 201 at a thrift store for less than 20.00. I had heard they were great stitchers, but I didn't realize how wonderful it is to sew with one until I revved her up. Enjoy the new toy!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely machine, you are so lucky to have it.
ReplyDeleteGet to work on the clutter!
Enjoy the 201. I consider mine to be my sewing soul mate.
ReplyDeleteThis made me feel nostalgic and brought back memories of sewing my aunt's usha sewing machine! lucky you!
ReplyDeleteI have just bought myself a new Singer-machine too!:
ReplyDeleteHere it is: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fhovedstaden.blogg.no%2F1317301866_derfor_kjpte_min_nye_.html
Beautiful machine, Marius!
ReplyDeleteDear Peter, Just a quick one about your 201. I have 2 at the moment, the best one will stay as my main machine. If you look below the stitch regulator by the golden Singer seal just to the left you will see a hole with "oil" on it. If you look down the hole and can only see a brown substance and not another small hole which has a bar in it that turns when you turn the machine over via its flywheel. Then it is blocked. This is what I found on mine. You have to clean out as much as possible and then flushed with paraffin. Then add plenty of oil. This made my the machine run even smother than before and it is good to know that this fine machine has all it's oil way's in good working order. Enjoy your blog very much. Kind regards Duncan (old York UK)
ReplyDeleteIf you love the 201, you'd love the 1200 even more. It's a 201 in a treadle cabinet but the treadle foot is electric. My grandmother had one and I sewed my very first stitches on it. Sadly she loaned it to her sister who gave it to her daughter who refuses to return it.
ReplyDelete