My New (old) 1950s Singer Knee Lever Sewing Machine (201K)
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- Опубликовано: 30 мар 2023
- My neighbour Joyce gifted me this vintage 201K Singer sewing machine in a suitcase. It was manufactured in Kilbowie, Scotland in 1953. Not exactly an antique but she is a dignified 70 years old. It is operated with a knee bar lever which can take some getting use to.
It included a box of items including an original tube of machine oil and various feet. One of which is a ruffler foot and one that definitely does not belong to this machine!
The black exterior, adorned with gold accents, is so much nicer to look at than the modern plain white plastic look that so many later machines have.
The knee bar operation, is a fun unique touch that adds character and charm to the 201K. With a bit of practice I am sure I'll have greater precision and control when working with delicate fabrics and intricate designs but for now I think tougher, thicker materials are more suited to a first project.
I was impressed with how smooth the operation of the 201K was for a machine that has probably sat in a garage for so many years. The attention to detail and durability of vintage Singer machines are renowned, and the 201K is no exception. The sturdy metal construction makes it clear that this machine was built to last. It also results in it being ridiculously heavy compared to later machines but there are always trade-offs!
The Singer sewing machine's rich history and legacy were on full display as I tested out the 201K. From its mid-19th-century invention to its widespread use in homes and factories worldwide, Singer machines played a historic role in the development of the textile industry and the art of sewing.
1953 201K Singer sewing machine is an interesting machine that combines the shapes and forms of the early singer hand crank and treadle sewing machines but with some more modern conveniences. It is a sort of compromise between antique aesthetic and usability.
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You will adore this machine. The 201 is the silkiest, smoothest, kindest machine ever made.
I'm very excited to start using it properly 😊
My mom's sewing machine is very much like that one and I used it for years. It was my favorite even though I had other newer machines that one was best. You can sew fabrics as heavy as denims and corduroy and also shear fabrics. It's an excellent and versatile machine. You'll get the hang of it and be able to use it on most anything you want to sew.
I recently bought this model, manufactured in 1952. It sews beautifully and I am looking forward to sewing garments with it. Most people have said "Why on earth do you want that?".
It is meant for delicate fabrics. And for heavy fabrics and everything in between.
Lucky you. One of the best Singers.
Finest singer made. Highly sought after for daily use…. Even today. Nice find.
I'm excited to start using it properly!
Never go wrong with Singer model 201K, truly an Engineering Marvel. I got both 201K and 221K Featherweight UK Made. Still hunting the ultimate 222K.
Too late. We already got the only 222K.
Such a cool gift... I'm so jelly.
The 201k is a wonderful sewing machine! I own two - one hand crank and one electric - and they are a dream to sew with.
Congratulations on getting one in such beautiful condition. Wish you a lot of fun with her! ❤
That 201 is in excellent shape. Congratulations!
Please be careful moving it if you carry it in the case - best not to use the handle. The cases don't hold up as well as the machines. If the handle or case breaks, aside from damaging the machine, your foot may never be the same again!
That's a good shout, I'll add some support for carrying it so all the weight isn't on the handle!
Also, be careful with machines with exposed belts , tie your hair back for safety.
Ahhh, threading it backwards!!! Right to left! Glad you figured that out quickly. 😂 Also the curve of the needle plate matches the curve of the needle where it’s inserted. Helps to keep that straight. And I have to differ that you think it’s not for delicate fabrics - that is one of the main things it’s known for. It was called the “dressmakers machine” for a reason, not that it won’t power through heavy duty fabric, too, but the 15 was called the farmer’s machine because it handles heavier fabrics like canvas just a tad better (allegedly). Nothing beats a treadle for punching power over electric though, IMO. And no, while it may sew leather, you need an industrial for that if you’re going to be sewing bags, etc. and not an occasional leather item. This was an awesome gift! I got one free, too, but it was rusty and required hours of restoration before she’d sew.
These vintage machines are works of art compared to the modern white plastic boxes
They are! I love the decals and look so much
Found one of these beauties and trying to win an auction to buy it. Fngers crossed. This is the machine I learned on and have always wanted one since. The new machines aren't a patch on the Singer 201K. The one I'm after comes in a bentwood case though and that's doubly-attractive to me.
I just revivied a similar machine that was marketed by Hudson Bay Company it uses Singer parts .mine was a knee pedal too. Branded as Piedmont.
Did you ever get to sew on this machine?
It is meant for delicate fabrics, it sews thin cotton, silk and even sheer chiffon. This is an exceptionally smooth running model, only the motor makes a bit of noise. You have to get the right needle and thread for finer fabrics of course.
The main problem with these are mostly cleaning and oiling. The first cleaning can be a bit of a challenge, you have to take out the bobbin case (or basket if you will), often scrape out felted dust under there. Use a wooden tooth pick or something like that. There is a lot of oil points you need to address, and you likely have to go over the machine two or three times with a bit of test sewing in between. The bobbin plate needs to come off completely to get the bobbin case out. The side plate comes off too. There are oil points on top as well as all the joints and hinges under the base.
I promise, it is a fine tuned machine, very capable of sewing delicate fabrics. There were lots of attachments for these, but I can mostly recommend the buttonholers.
There were cast aluminium version of the 201 or 201K23, it is more portable and easier to carry.
Omg! It’s dream! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy this machine
Beautiful!!! I have a "portable" 201. I love vintage Singers ❤
You are in the UK.....the plug gave you away. You got yourself a gem. So nice.
That machine!!! I still need one of those!!
thank u for making this video! I'm starting sewing and the Singer 201 is my first machine. I want to take good care of it so seeing videos like these are helpful to see how it works
what a wonderful gift and beautiful setup, will work much better after oiling, should be oiled in every spot that says "oil" and every spot where it rotates with a drop or 2 where there is friction after every 8 hours of use, it will thank you with amazing results.
It was a very good video. I watched the whole thing.
I recently bought a centennial singer that is a couple of years younger than yours. She is beautiful and I’ve made an 1890s skirt with her. Enjoy!
Вот! Берешь в руки и чувствуешь вещь!😊
New video alert! 🚨🚨🚨
My grandmother let me sew on hrrs with a knee bar when I was a kid
That's lovely 😊
I just bought an vintage Brother from 1960's set in a sewing table. it needs work but it's a solid piece of furniture.
I have a 99-13 from the 1920s that has the knee bar. I really love sewing with it. Also singer has free downloads for their sewing machine manuals they have instructions for using those feet
It was a change to sew with the knee bar but quite fun! I'm glad yours is still in use 😊
beautiful machine
I'd vote for a coat but that's quite the undertaking
Beautiful
Love it. 3:06 is 👌
A poodle skirt ❤. I also have a 201K from the fifties but not the knee bar version. Sadly mine doesn’t have the original case and the one it does have has a dodgy handle meaning all I can basically do with mine is push it along the floor with my foot. It’s soooooo heavy. I’ve heard the 201K is the best straight stitch ever.
Есть вторая версия Зингера 201k - и она сделана из алюминия и дизайн более современен. Сейчас я жду завершение сделки по покупке этой модели.
Your dog is so cute 💀❤
He's a good boi
I have a hand singer which I adore to death. But the spooling mechanism broke off so it's sitting in a corner until I have a replacement for it.
I've been using a modern machine and I hate it so so much. I have paralysed feet so the peddle doesn't work. I've been eyeing this one for a while now and I might be the bullet if I find one for a decent price. Thanks for the video! It was fun to watch and that machine is in such good condition!
Oh no, hopefully you'll get a replacement spooler for it!
Good luck in your search for a lever one, sometimes you can find them unexpectedly 😊
No need to go to the gym to build muscles after lifting one of those machines!! I just finished making a quilt on a 66 model which is similar in size to the 201, but with separate motor. It is SO quiet when it's running compared to the modern plastic machines, and all the attachments/feet make it do almost anything they can do.
Lucky you.
Nice. A piece of mid-century goodness to have at your disposal. Well done and enjoy! I think you should make a nice jumper dress for spring. I have a 1915 hand-crank 99K and a 1949 Featherweight - basically, I have the century covered...
You can get LED bulbs (so you don't accidently burn yourself on the light) from The Featherweight Shop (not sponsored).
The presser feet: ruffler, adjustable hemmer, can't remember the proper name but it somehow helps you attach lace & piping to an edge, bias tape binding, rolled hem, shurring (sp?) foot. If you can't find a free PDF for their use, the Featherweight shop will point you in the right direction. There's also stuff on the YT.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
It's such a lovely Machine! Thank you I will find a LED bulb & some feet instructions haha
A jumper dress might be nice, I definitely need to make something springy 🌻
@@LiljaHusmo (pssst - the spinny-thing the machine is sitting on is called "A Lazy Susan", for which my older sister Sue had an intense dislike of because no one could call her lazy and get away with it).
Passing thought... you do realize that with those two machines you pretty much have the free run of 20th century fashion. Vintage...
And technically I'm counting original production date of the model as the 'starting point' for any individual machine. For example the Singer 99 was born in 1910, but was billed as the "more Portable" (HA!) Singer 66. And the 66 was born at the turn of the century... so I get to do all the vintage patterns on the period machine...
Good sweet L*rd, I am Such a nerd.
@@stevezytveld6585 I love that, I'd be annoyed too if it was called a Lazy Lilja hahaha.
It's true I've got a large span of the century now! My friend has also lent me a machine that is probably from the 80s-90s and I'm excited to have a look at it too 😊
@@LiljaHusmo Ah, the 80's, the shoulder pad are calling... but seriously, it should be a good machine. It's the tail end of metal parts and it's pre computer.
By-the-by - the vintage machines are 'on' as soon as the plug is in the wall. The switch is only for the light. Unfortunately.
And, yeah, sewing the century is fun. Slow on my end. But fun.
By the way - my entry is up for Foundations Revealed under my full name (Cathy MacDonald-Zytveld) in the Apprentice category. Come by and say 'hi'?
Пожалуйста , береги спину. Эти машинки очень качественные но очень тяжелые.
SLUJ SQUAD ASSEMBLE!!! 💪😤💪😤
She's a 70 year old Singer that requires knee operation 😂
Вы мне не ответили ,помогите мне приобрести швейную машину старого производства Зингер , а я вам оплачу все вашы расходы за труд за пересылку и стоимость пожалуйста, я в жизнь мечтала об этой машине мне 67 лет я азулянтка из Чечни живу Франции к/с Зула
I noticed the tension spring in the upper tension assembly is not correctly set. I would take a look at some of the videos out there where they reassemble it and check what's wrong.
You're right, the spring was the wrong way around in this video 😊
@@LiljaHusmo Glad it worked out!
Hi my ma chi ne the same won't pick up the thread it goes out of needle too what can I do
Make a Poodle skirt!
🐕
Can you tell me where I can purchase the turntable you have put this beautiful machine on? Thanks
Hi, it's just a cheap one I think it's called Hama rotary plate 😊
I love my knee feed I got from my grandma, sadly it's not in this good of condition. She used it a lot and it's a kenmore so they don't make parts for it like the singers
Aw that's a shame, hopefully you'll be able to find some parts at some point!
First foot is a ruffler foot
I did think it looked like one, but now I'm sure 😊
When they used to care about people. Making the things.
Эта модель из чугуна, следующая зингер 201mk23 была из алюминия.
Salam dari Indonesia che
Sempurna che
Hi! Where did you get that "spinny thingy" thing from. I need one for my 201K also. Thanks.
It's a turntable from Hama 😊
Need to clean oil & lubricate.
Я всю жизнь мечтала имет старую машинку еслиб вы продали мне такую или нашли ба ЯУ ВАС КУПИЛА БЫтакую машинку и заплачу вашы расходы прошу помогите приорести .такую в рабочем. виде. Зингер старого производства спасиба
oil it
You 'thought it was a crowbar'??? 😶
It ain't THAT heavy, lol.