M.S.
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Date: 9/27/12 12:21 PM I've been sewing on it since my husband got done w/the wiring over the weekend. It is great! I love the sound it makes when it sews! The only thing I'm having trouble with is sewing with the knee lever. I am sooooo used to a knee lift that my brain is having problems!
So, now that I know it works, of course I had to buy an l.e.d., clamp-on, gooseneck lamp, an ebay buttonholer and zigzag attachments, a nice supply of things from sew-classic, etc. This should feed my "addiction" for awhile. Oh, I also installed wheels on the cabinet legs. I needed to raise the height so my knees fit underneath. I am sooooo tall, ugh! So, the 2" wheels w/brakes allow me to move the machine from the dining room to the TV room, easily.
After the honeymoon is over, I plan to write a piece on the "showdown" between Singer 201-2 vs. Brother PQ-1500S. There are advantages to each machine, of course. ------
Pfaff 138-6
Brother PQ1500S
Necchi 4795
US Blindstitch 718-9
Kenmore 16644
Janome CoverPro 1000
Singer 201-2 |
TessKwiltz
 
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Date: 9/27/12 12:32 PM Quote: M.S.
After the honeymoon is over, I plan to write a piece on the "showdown" between Singer 201-2 vs. Brother PQ-1500S. There are advantages to each machine, of course.
I will be curious to see your comparison, as I have both machines and dearly love them both.  ------
Tess
On threadpainting flowers: "How many colors are in a flower? ... How many do you have?" - Ellen Anne Eddy |
lisalu
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GA USA
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 1 member likes this. Me too, I LOVE my 201-2! Smooth, fast and quiet with a perfect stitch, it is a joy to sew with in every way.
The other day my SIL came over to work on a project with me. When I went to fire up Queen Margaret, she says, "Wait a minute, you sew on that old thing?" I'm like, "Are you kidding? Heck yeah, I sew on this old thing!"
------
Margaret (Singer 201-2), Betty (Singer 15-91), Bud (Singer 503), Kathy (Singer 221), Liz (Singer 221 Centennial Edition)
http://runningstitches-mkb.blogspot.com/ |
M.S.
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Date: 9/27/12 1:06 PM Do you have the Queen Anne cabinet, too? Just guessing with a name like Queen Margaret.
My casters look stupid on the beautiful Queen Anne legs, but I'm all about function. ------
Pfaff 138-6
Brother PQ1500S
Necchi 4795
US Blindstitch 718-9
Kenmore 16644
Janome CoverPro 1000
Singer 201-2 |
mssewcrazy
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Date: 9/27/12 1:25 PM Don't give up yet on the knee lever. I started sewing on a singer way back and then got a bernina with a knee lift for the presser foot. It took me a bit to get used to the knee being used that way but I did. Recently I have become very interested in vintage singers and found that that after a sessions not only did I get used to it but have decided I like it way more than the foot control on the floor. I am proud of my 201 as well and my friend that I helped get her late mil's 201 restored and rewired tells everyone how wonderful it is. I know what you mean about the sound -there's something about the soothing click click that makes you want to stitch. I wish I were taller and could have my cabinets on wheels but being a shortie that won't happen. Is the 1500 the brother straight stitcher that uses the industrial round needle? Having the janome version, I like it for fast and furious straight stitching like on home dec and have used it for heavy projects and making my own quilted fabric and love the heavy duty thread cutter but if doing precision sewing like garment sewing I definitely prefer the 201. |
lisalu
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Date: 9/27/12 2:12 PM Yes, I do have a Queen Anne cabinet, but it houses Betty, my 15-91. I call my 201-2 Queen Margaret because she reigns supreme among my sewing machines. ------
Margaret (Singer 201-2), Betty (Singer 15-91), Bud (Singer 503), Kathy (Singer 221), Liz (Singer 221 Centennial Edition)
http://runningstitches-mkb.blogspot.com/ |
M.S.
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In reply to mssewcrazy <<
Date: 9/27/12 2:26 PM The Brother uses a flat shank needle. It can use regular household 15x1s or HLx5. The HLx5 is supposed to be more heavy duty, I believe. I think they took an industrial needle & stuck a flat shank on it.
I think I agree about home dec vs. garment sewing. My 201 keeps sewing after I take my knee off the lever for awhile when I'm sewing full speed. The Brother stops on a dime. Sorry, Singer friends, I did find something I don't like (what a surprise, right?) For some reason I'm overlooking that minor problem, though. ------
Pfaff 138-6
Brother PQ1500S
Necchi 4795
US Blindstitch 718-9
Kenmore 16644
Janome CoverPro 1000
Singer 201-2 |
Soolip
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Date: 9/27/12 2:41 PM I've never seen a 201 with a knee controller. There is a version of the 201, the 1200, that has a knee-operated presser foot lifter.
I think I get good control with the original foot controller. I tried an electronic controller, and that was even better. |
M.S.
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Date: 9/27/12 3:40 PM It's the cabinet. You clip the foot controller into the cabinet, and the knee lever pushes against the little square button.
I may order an electronic foot controller. I was hoping someone would come along & solve this problem for me. DH will love me, right. Well at least that's the easier end of the wiring.
I've been trying to decide whether to abandon the whole knee control thing, anyway.
And, I wish I had the 1200, but it wouldn't have been a near mint condition freebie!
Thanks, Soolip!
-- Edited on 9/27/12 3:42 PM -- ------
Pfaff 138-6
Brother PQ1500S
Necchi 4795
US Blindstitch 718-9
Kenmore 16644
Janome CoverPro 1000
Singer 201-2 |
Soolip
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CA USA
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Date: 9/28/12 1:26 AM Oh, I'd forgotten about the cabinet/footpedal/kneecontrol thingy. I always thought it was clumsy, though some people seem to like it. Electronic controllers that fit the 201 are cheap, so I'd give one a try and see if you like it (I bet you will).
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