Many people consider this is the finest sewing machine that Singer ever made. It is precision-machined for quiet and strength. In his "Beginner's Field Guide to the Identification of Early Singers," Dick Wightman says about the model 201: "This is it... the universally acclaimed 'best sewing machine ever built.'... This was Singer's top of the line during its period... considered to be one of the smoothest running electric machines ever made, and one of the strongest."
Most experts agree with that assessment. If you've never tried a 201, you don't know how smooth and quiet an electric sewing machine can be. A 201 in a treadle makes almost no noise at all.
Singer made four sub-models of this machine (see sidebar). The 201-2 is the model most commonly found in the U.S. You can recognize it by the light that is attached on the front (see photo above), and also by the "potted motor" on the back. (This is the same motor/gearing as on the model 15-91.)
The motor is internal to the machine, covered by that metal "pot" just left of the chrome inspection plate in the photo above. It is gear-driven versus the more typical belt-driven motors that attach to the outside of a machine. These potted motors are highly regarded as sure and strong. No belt to slip, rather the teeth of the intermeshing gears are very positive.
The bobbin is a horizontal type, and takes class 66 bobbins. While it looks like the model 66, it is a different and much better-quality assembly.
The model 201-3 has an external motor. They are rare to find in the U.S., although not as rare as the 201-1s. I found one and decided to take the external motor off and make it a treadle head, since I am unlikely ever to find a 201-1 and I enjoy treadling.
This machine has the older, more ornate face plate than the 201-2 pictured above.
This treadle head is sold.
The darning foot kit that was made for the 201 is not commonly found. I had one, once... It worked quite well.
