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might help some people (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 2/25/11 6:54 PM ET
This is using the very low loft cotton batting queen size quilt from my bed, and the quilt is put in at the half way mark.
Bernina 730 with it's 7.5 inch harp, and from top to bottom 4 inches.

Here is my Singer 201 with it's 8 inch wide harp, and 5 inches tall. I didn't think it would be such a difference - but it is.

I hope this helps some of us who are wondering how large the harp really needs to be to accomodate a queen quilt. What bugs me is that I seriously doubt I attempt a queen size quilt now on the Bernina! Maybe not even the Singer, as this quilt is so heavy that the drag will be enormous even with straight line quilting, much less free motion. I know poly is much lighter, but honestly down here in our heat polyester is out of the question. Maybe a blend, but wow, now I know what you all were talking about when you say *wrestle* with a quilt, lol.
-- Edited on 2/25/11 6:56 PM --
-- Edited on 2/25/11 7:00 PM --
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Bernina 730 with it's 7.5 inch harp, and from top to bottom 4 inches.
Here is my Singer 201 with it's 8 inch wide harp, and 5 inches tall. I didn't think it would be such a difference - but it is.
I hope this helps some of us who are wondering how large the harp really needs to be to accomodate a queen quilt. What bugs me is that I seriously doubt I attempt a queen size quilt now on the Bernina! Maybe not even the Singer, as this quilt is so heavy that the drag will be enormous even with straight line quilting, much less free motion. I know poly is much lighter, but honestly down here in our heat polyester is out of the question. Maybe a blend, but wow, now I know what you all were talking about when you say *wrestle* with a quilt, lol.
-- Edited on 2/25/11 6:56 PM --
-- Edited on 2/25/11 7:00 PM --
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Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Posted on: 2/25/11 7:39 PM ET
HI Mary,
Thank you for the photos. I had not considered that the available height makes such a huge difference and I do not think sewing machine makers talk about that either.
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Thank you for the photos. I had not considered that the available height makes such a huge difference and I do not think sewing machine makers talk about that either.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Posted on: 2/25/11 8:30 PM ET
In reply to SouthernStitch
Thanks for the pictures. I didn't think a 201 could do this, but now I see it can. What machine was it that had the huge curve in the harp area? Was it a Singer or a Janome? I wonder what that would do.
do you use a FM foot on your 201?
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do you use a FM foot on your 201?
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"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine
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Posted on: 2/25/11 10:13 PM ET
In reply to Miss Fairchild
No I've never quilted at all on the 201, and I'm wondering how it goes with that machine. I'd love to hear from someone who has free motioned with it, having the drop in bobbin. I have to wonder why Bernina has that fantastic BSR foot (love that thing), but can't seem to increase harp space except on the TOL 830. I think I'd much rather free motion on the 201!
You have to keep in mind though, that this quilt is heavily quilted and using the flattest batting ever!
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You have to keep in mind though, that this quilt is heavily quilted and using the flattest batting ever!
------
Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Posted on: 2/25/11 10:57 PM ET
I have FM'ed on a 201 and as long as I used plain all-purpose cotton thread, it worked well. There are lots and lots of low shank darning feet available that fit (I think I have about 7), so that isn't a problem. Once you start using more unusual threads, the horizontal bobbin/hook style can become more problematic. Personally, I find vertical hooks, or even vibrating shuttles, more forgiving, as their hooks/shuttles can grab the thread loops without diverting them sideways. However, lots of folks quilt successfully with horizontal hook machines, since that seems to be the most popular config sold nowadays.
Class 15 machines such as 15-91s are only a teeny bit shorter under the arm than 201s and are a cheap'n'easy vertical hook alternative. I recently completed a Queen, all FM'ed, on a 15-96.
Jennifer in Calgary
Class 15 machines such as 15-91s are only a teeny bit shorter under the arm than 201s and are a cheap'n'easy vertical hook alternative. I recently completed a Queen, all FM'ed, on a 15-96.
Jennifer in Calgary
Posted on: 2/25/11 11:05 PM ET
In reply to Jennifer Hill
Jennifer thanks for confirming that. It's what I had thought I'd heard before. No room for a class 15 machine, so I'll have to give it a go on the 201 and use the Bernina for smaller things.
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Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Posted on: 2/28/11 11:38 AM ET
I quilted a babies playmat on my 201 last year. It went well.
I used normal machine quilting thread which had a varigated colour.
The original footpedal got a bit hot mind! I now have a new motor and pedal and she purrs along.
I have an all metal low shank freemotion foot on it which has a round toe. It seems to work okay.
I might try a full bed quilt on her soon, if I don't decide to hand tie it instead. The 201 certainly does a good amount of room under the harp area and makes other machines feel teeny afterwards.
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I used normal machine quilting thread which had a varigated colour.
The original footpedal got a bit hot mind! I now have a new motor and pedal and she purrs along.
I have an all metal low shank freemotion foot on it which has a round toe. It seems to work okay.
I might try a full bed quilt on her soon, if I don't decide to hand tie it instead. The 201 certainly does a good amount of room under the harp area and makes other machines feel teeny afterwards.
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My machines; Bernina 135S, Brother JK 4000,
http://fenullapolkadot.blogspot.com
http://fenullapolkadot.blogspot.com
Posted on: 3/11/11 4:08 AM ET
Hello
I have been reading all your posts and wonder can you tell me why you all enthuse about the Singer 201 please.
Although I have been sewing for ever I am not that experienced and have taken up quilting in the past couple of years.
I have a Frister Rossmann which I bought new over 20years ago and I also have a Bernina Virtuosa 160 which I bought second hand last year.
I have been looking on ebay and there are Singer 201k's are these the same model and would you recommend them
Nauniemo
-- Edited on 3/11/11 4:40 AM --
I have been reading all your posts and wonder can you tell me why you all enthuse about the Singer 201 please.
Although I have been sewing for ever I am not that experienced and have taken up quilting in the past couple of years.
I have a Frister Rossmann which I bought new over 20years ago and I also have a Bernina Virtuosa 160 which I bought second hand last year.
I have been looking on ebay and there are Singer 201k's are these the same model and would you recommend them
Nauniemo
-- Edited on 3/11/11 4:40 AM --
Posted on: 3/11/11 12:01 PM ET
In reply to Naunimo
Naunimo,
In general, it's a very quiet and powerful machine, with a convenient drop in bobbin. Mine is so quiet and sews just so smoothly and makes a gorgeous straight stitch. The narrower feed dogs are a bonus too. I also have a Bernina with 9mm feed dogs, so I am happy to have my 201 for those projects where 9mm is just too wide.
As for ebay, shipping is high, and things could go very wrong. If you wait for one to appear on CL or at the thrift store, you might have to re-wire, and do some other things. For many, this is fun and you get much satisfaction. Or you can try to find a tech to do things you either can't or don't want to do yourself. On ebay, there are refurbishers selling beautiful machines where you take it out of the box and sew. I was lucky to get one from CL that was beautiful, and didn't require much at all. I cleaned and changed out old oil and grease myself and she runs great, with good electrical. I paid more but consider myself lucky.
One source I'll give you is Jenny at sew-classic.com. She is fabulous. Her machines come to you thoroughly refurbished - motor - everything. And she ships securely. I bought a 403 from her that is perfection in every way.
You may have to wait for a bit, but if you go to her website and email her, she'll put you on her list as being on the lookout for a 201. Her price will vary depending on weather you want a cosmetically gorgeous one, or one that may have a few cosmetic flaws, etc. Good luck!
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In general, it's a very quiet and powerful machine, with a convenient drop in bobbin. Mine is so quiet and sews just so smoothly and makes a gorgeous straight stitch. The narrower feed dogs are a bonus too. I also have a Bernina with 9mm feed dogs, so I am happy to have my 201 for those projects where 9mm is just too wide.
As for ebay, shipping is high, and things could go very wrong. If you wait for one to appear on CL or at the thrift store, you might have to re-wire, and do some other things. For many, this is fun and you get much satisfaction. Or you can try to find a tech to do things you either can't or don't want to do yourself. On ebay, there are refurbishers selling beautiful machines where you take it out of the box and sew. I was lucky to get one from CL that was beautiful, and didn't require much at all. I cleaned and changed out old oil and grease myself and she runs great, with good electrical. I paid more but consider myself lucky.
One source I'll give you is Jenny at sew-classic.com. She is fabulous. Her machines come to you thoroughly refurbished - motor - everything. And she ships securely. I bought a 403 from her that is perfection in every way.
You may have to wait for a bit, but if you go to her website and email her, she'll put you on her list as being on the lookout for a 201. Her price will vary depending on weather you want a cosmetically gorgeous one, or one that may have a few cosmetic flaws, etc. Good luck!
------
Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Babylock Evolution
When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Posted on: 3/11/11 5:19 PM ET
In reply to SouthernStitch
Thanks for that info. Is the 201K the same as the 201? I am a complete novice when it come to sewing machine knowledge so I must admit to not knowing when a narrower feed dog would be appropriate.
As I am in the uk the postage costs could be a little high from sew-classic.com I would think but i will certainly contact Jenny to find out.
The ones on ebay are going for between £50 and £80 ( 80 to 128 dollars) is this a good price?
Thnak you again Mary for your response.
By the way I do hope that the tsunami from the earthquake in Japan has not affected you.
Nauniemo
As I am in the uk the postage costs could be a little high from sew-classic.com I would think but i will certainly contact Jenny to find out.
The ones on ebay are going for between £50 and £80 ( 80 to 128 dollars) is this a good price?
Thnak you again Mary for your response.
By the way I do hope that the tsunami from the earthquake in Japan has not affected you.
Nauniemo
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