Is nostalgia enough to need a machine?
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
I'm so happy for you! She's a beauty and I can just feel your joy coming through your words on the screen. Seems you've already started to bond with your new baby, and your Hungarian grandmother's spirit is right there at the machine with you. Congratulations!
#34
Cheshire, that is a wonderful set up, you did well.
Sewjourner, can you point me to documentation for this?
What I've heard, and no documentation for it, is Singer inadvertently allowed the patent for the Singer 15 to lapse and that was how the Japanese after WWII happened to make so many 15 clones.
the history is probably at someone's fingertips here...? Thanks, Sharyn
What I've heard, and no documentation for it, is Singer inadvertently allowed the patent for the Singer 15 to lapse and that was how the Japanese after WWII happened to make so many 15 clones.
the history is probably at someone's fingertips here...? Thanks, Sharyn
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Singers patent for the CB hook went out much earlier KlamaQuilts, you will find lots of 15 derivatives from early 1900s. Singer's model 15 is old. I have mostly seen European versions, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Gritzner,... These were gradually given a new look and new features like stitch length lever with reverse, and feed dog drop. Singer eventually did too. The noticeable thing with the Japanese post WWII clones is the stitch length lever, and they kept it identical to Singers for a long time. They added much the same features to their 15 clones you can find on the earlier European derivatives, and even went further like a tree step push buttons feed dog adjustment. The prewar Japanese clones look more like the European.
Last edited by Mickey2; 12-01-2018 at 09:09 AM.
#36
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Kalama, Mickey is right. The Japanese were building round bobbin machines long before WWll. The only thing the US "gave" the Japanese in regards to sewing machines was the import rights to the US after the war. I can't tell you how many times I've argued this point to people on the internet. The early imported machines look so much like a Singer because that's what would sell, then once they had the foothold in the US they started improving their machines with top quality engineering. There's very few Singers that I would choose over my Japanese machines for quality of build and perfect stitches. It just so happens that the 301 is one of my favorite Singers.
Cari
Cari
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Cari, Singer 15-91 is worth mentioning, and I think the basic 66/99 and 201 is about as good as it gets until the zigzag machines became more common. The early Improved Family and 15 are much more sought after than the common clone. The fiddle base and decals with flowers and roses makes them stand out.
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 211
Ditto everything everyone has said. My addition to the conversation is there are great YouTube videos for a 301. And if you are on FB there are vintage Singer enabler sites with plenty of help and resources.
#39
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Cari, Singer 15-91 is worth mentioning, and I think the basic 66/99 and 201 is about as good as it gets until the zigzag machines became more common. The early Improved Family and 15 are much more sought after than the common clone. The fiddle base and decals with flowers and roses makes them stand out.
Cari
#40
I haven't finished servicing my own 201-2 because one of the huge screws holding the motor to the machine is stuck. I am nervous of using oil on it because the gear worm and armature is right there and I recall reading never put oil there. i think it is was on the vssm blog tutorial of rewiring a potted motor. Anyway, I do use my MIL 201-2 and I absolutely love it. But what I was going to say, I think the 15-91 is probably one of Singers best machines. I use my 15-91 everyday. I do love it, just a bit louder than the 201-2; kind of like driving a tractor vs a rolls Royce. And I'm really enjoying my Pfaff 130 too. I would love a 301 one-day as a portable machine.
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greywuuf
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
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05-09-2012 04:42 PM