Here is the latest addition to our sewing machine collection. This is a Singer 201K, manufactured on September 10, 1952, at the Kilbowie Factory in Clydebank, Scotland. If you know a machine’s serial number, you can trace its heritage here on the Singer site.
I’ve been wanting one of these machines for years, but they usually cost a small fortune. This time, I was lucky and just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The International Sewing Machine Collectors’ Society (ISMACS) says the Singer 201 “is considered by most collectors to be the best sewing machine Singer ever made.” They have an article about the Singer 201 with great photos and detailed information here.
We like to name our sewing machines, and this one is called Peggy. She came with a foot pedal and mains lead (electric cord), a knee control lever, an extension table, and a lovely case. We picked her up last night.
When my daughter got home from school today, she took Peggy for a test drive. My little one has just turned 8 years old, and she is already very interested in sewing.
I’m pleased to see that she has been listening to my talks about sewing machine safety, and she is keeping her fingers well away from the needle.
This is what she was working on.
Free motion stitching on a scrap of muslin. Pretty good for a first-timer. I think I can definitely see quilting in her future! 
Happy Sewing!
glad to see another machine collector. Although do I *technically* collect when I rotate and sew on several of them? I have a 201-2 that was bought new by DH’s grandmother, and still has the original cabinet, the original doodads in the drawers, even the original brochure!
Hi Lori! Are we *not” supposed to sew on our collectable machines? LOL Too late! I use all of mine in turn. I love my modern machines, too, but it’s so much fun to sew on a lovely old mechanical sewing machine. Just hearing that “hummmm” and smelling the sewing machine oil brings back such lovely memories of sewing with my mom and my grandma! That is so wonderful that you have a machine handed down in the family — really special!
She looks like a natural!!
Hi, Alycia! I’ve always hoped that at least *one* of my girls would show an interest in sewing. I think this is the one!
Our school lets out for summer at the end of next week, and she is already making a list of things she wants to sew over the holidays. Can’t wait!
Love the machine! Keep an eye open at car boot sales… hubby saw an old treddle singer being sold for £10 last week whilst he was having a peruse. Sadly, he wasn’t quick enough or I would have had it in my collection.
And it looks like the sewing bug is being carried on.
I have just been left my Great Grandmother’s singer machine, which is in a bit of a sorry state at the moment ( I think it’s from 1905) and made in Clydebank. I’m saving up and hopefully Molly will soon be sewing again.
a 201–probably one of my favorite machines! I inherited one from DH’s grandmother–who had bought her’s new! Still in the original cabinet, with all the original attachments, even the original brochure with the prices written in, so I KNOW what they paid, in 1950! A 201 is a real workhorse, and the bobbin area is easy to access. The only thing I don’t like, is the bobbins do not hold as much thread as a 15 series–but that’s ok!
That must be a fantastic machine, and so much history with it in one family! Was your machine electric to start with? Mine was made in 1952, but she started life as a hand-crank machine and was converted to electricity later on.