Quiltingboard Forums - Singer prices 1950's Ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsquirrel (Post 6351529)

According to the inflation calculator for Canada, if that 201-3 in the desk was $305 back in 1952, than it would be over $2600 today. That's the exact same machine and cabinet I'll be picking up tomorrow for $50. Wow.

I guess that explains why today's sewing machines are plastic junk -- hardly anyone can afford to pay $2600. We're so lucky that the ones we love are the old ones, and we can afford more than one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecilia S. (Post 6351610)

Buying sewing machine was a major household investment then. And now? We eat them for lunch! Or, we fret about paying the price of a 'wich and a coffee and a pie, wondering if we should just pay the price of a 'wich and a pie or else we'll be ripped off... ;-)

Imagine going back in time and telling that 1950's household that 60 years down the road, people would barely pay the price of lunch for that machine. Or that we would collect them for fun. Or turn them into lamps.

Cecilia, you're so funny! But you wouldn't be telling the featherweight buyer that her/his machine could be had for the price of lunch. Oddly, the cheapest Singer in the 1950s turned out to be the best monetary investment. Somewhere I have my mother's bill of sale for her 1950s FW, and I think the price jives with this brochure -- around $150. I know she chose the FW because it was the cheapest, and she was frugal. But she probably could have bought a Japanese clone in a cabinet for less money. I wish I could ask her why she chose the Singer, but it must have been because she trusted the brand. Normally she bought store-brand stuff, but I guess she didn't want to take chances with an expensive piece of machinery.

I can't answer your question of which to choose -- it would be like Sophie's Choice. But if I were to go on a "3-hour tour" with Gilligan and the Skipper I would take my 66 hand crank, no hesitation!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsquirrel (Post 6352820)

So super interesting, I picked up the 201-3 circa 1947-49 and it came with the original manual with a hand written note in the back page. It says:

Cost of Machine
Machine $269.00
Button Holer $12.95
Zipper foot $.80
Bobbin $.15

Total $282.90

The most expensive machine and only 1 bobbin?!

NL quilter -- What a great brochure! The penned-in prices make it really special. Thanks for sharing!