BackgroundThe story
Singersewinginfo says the 201 series was first introduced in 1934 and stayed in production until 1961; its version table starts US and UK production in 1935. Sewalot calls it Singer’s flagship domestic machine for nearly 30 years.
Singer built it to be its best. Singersewinginfo describes a full rotary hook, high-carbon super-hard meshing gears and a direct gear drive for the underbed transfer. It had a large harp space for bulky fabric, a numbered tension dial and a stitch-length indicator. It was expensive too: a 1947 UK price list shows the electric 201K3 costing well above the 15K82 or 99K13.
In 1954 the Scottish factory brought in a new aluminium body with a solid balance wheel: the 201K21, 23 and 24. At about 24 lb it was easier to carry, in a Bentwood or two-tone vinyl case. For Singer’s 1951 centenary, several models wore a Centennial medallion (ISMACS). Pungolivinghome restored a 1951 Centennial 201-2 that was one of 25,000 201s commissioned on 20 February 1951.
ReferenceSpecification
Specification plate
- Years made
- USA 1935–1957; Scotland (201K) 1935–1962; Germany (Wittenberge) 1935–1944; Australia (201P) from 1956.
- Versions
- 201-1 treadle; 201-2 potted motor with gear drive; 201-3 external belt-driven motor; 201-4 hand crank. UK equivalents are 201K1 to 201K4.
- Size and bed
- Full size, flatbed, low shank. Typically mounted in a table or cabinet.
- Hook and bobbin
- Horizontal full rotary hook, Class 66 drop-in bobbin, set so the thread comes off clockwise (singersewinginfo), unlike the 66K/99K.
- Needle
- 15x1, flat side to the left, threaded right to left.
- Stitches
- Straight stitch with reverse and drop feed.
- Weight
- About 30 lb for cast-iron machines, 24 lb for the 1950s aluminium version (singersewinginfo).
IdentificationHow to recognise a 201 / 201-2 / 201K
The stitch-length lever doubles as reverse. The 201K manual says to raise the lever as far as it will go to sew backwards.
Look for numbers on the tension dial and a stitch-length indicator, both features singersewinginfo lists for the 201.
An extra spool pin is placed so you can refill the bobbin without unthreading the machine (singersewinginfo).
The gap between the needle and the pillar is noticeably big, made for bulky fabric.
The 1950s aluminium 201K21, K23 and K24 have a solid balance wheel. A 201K29 is the same as a 201K23 but with a spoked wheel.
Singersewinginfo says electric versions came with a light attached.
In detailTelling the versions apart
Look at how the machine is driven. A treadle belt groove on the handwheel with no motor points to a 201-1 (or 201K1); a round motor on the back of the pillar with no belt is a 201-2; a motor on a bracket with a belt is a 201-3; a hand crank is a 201-4.
In detailDecals and finishes
Early machines have a chrome scroll faceplate and “Paperclip” decals. ISMACS lists Paperclip decals on the 201 and 301 from 1935 into the 1950s, and Prism decals on the 201 from 1953. The 1950s aluminium 201K came in black, brown or beige; the black is described as rarer. The 201K23 has a “new shape” body.
VersionsVersions and sub-models
| Version | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| 201K21 / 201K23 / 201K24 | Scottish aluminium-bodied versions with a solid balance wheel, made 1954–1962. |
| 201K29 | As the 201K23 but with a spoked balance wheel. |
| 201P | Assembled in Australia from UK-made parts, from 1956. |
| 201D | Made at Wittenberge, Germany, until the factory closed at the end of the Second World War. |
Parts and accessoriesBobbins, attachments and the parts it takes
The 201 takes a drop-in Class 66 bobbin. The 201K manual says to hold it so the thread draws from right to left as you drop it in.
The 201K manual lists 15x1 needles in sizes 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 21, fitted flat side to the left.
The 201-2 manual covers the foot hemmer, edge-stitcher and ruffler. Singersewinginfo adds that buttonholers, zigzag attachments and blind stitchers were used.
The P.H. motor on the 201-2 takes Singer Motor Lubricant, which the manual describes as a non-flowing compound. Spare grease wicks are still sold for it.
Singer made cabinets for the Class 201 (ISMACS). The aluminium 201K came in a wooden Bentwood case or a two-tone vinyl-covered case.
MaintenanceLooking after it
Pungolivinghome warns that the 201’s gears should not be disturbed: they are balanced in sets and tooth-matched for smoothness.
Put one drop on each point shown in the manual, including the hook race. Then run the machine fast for a few minutes so the oil reaches the bearings (201K manual).
The adjuster’s manual says: “Never, under any circumstances, use oil in the grease cups or on any part of the motor.” Use motor lubricant in the cups.
Wipe the carbon brushes, the brush tubes and the end covers with a clean, dry cloth (adjuster’s manual).
Restorers clean the motor’s grease wicks, then soak them in melted grease so they absorb it again (pungolivinghome).
General advice from the sources listed below. If in doubt, follow your machine’s Singer manual.
Before you buyWhat to check on a used 201 / 201-2 / 201K
In-person checks
QuestionsFrequently asked questions
Why do collectors rate the 201 so highly?
ISMACS calls it “considered by most collectors to be the best sewing machine Singer ever made” — a smooth full rotary hook in a heavy, precise straight-stitch machine.
Was the Singer 201 introduced in 1934 or 1935?
Singersewinginfo says the 201 series was first introduced in 1934, but its version table starts US and UK production in 1935. Your serial number gives your own machine’s date.
What is the difference between a 201K23 and a 201K29?
Both have the 1950s aluminium body. The 201K23 has a solid balance wheel; the 201K29 has a spoked one (singersewinginfo).
How long a stitch can a Singer 201 sew?
The 201K manual gives 6 to 30 stitches to the inch, adjusted with the stitch-length lever.
What motor does a Singer 201-2 have?
A Singer P.H. motor built on to the machine and driving it through gears. The belt-driven 201-3 uses a Singer B.R. motor (adjuster’s manual).
Is my 201 a Centennial?
Singer added a Centennial medallion to several models for its 1951 centenary (ISMACS). Look for the badge, then check that the serial number dates to around 1951.
ReferencesSources
Where sources disagree we show each figure rather than choosing one. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer-class-201-sewing-machines.html
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/domestic_machines/models/201
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model-list/classes-200-299.html
- sewalot.com/singer_201k_sewalot.htm
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_centennial_models.html
- pungolivinghome.com/2022/04/04/restoration-of-a-vintage-centennial-singer-model-201-2
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-model-201k-sewing-machine-manual.pdf
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-model-201-1200-sewing-machine-adjusters-manual.pdf
- www.manualslib.com/manual/461356/Singer-201-2.html
- public.websites.umich.edu/~sherlyn/singer201manual.html
- www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/singer-potted-motor-parts-fits-15-91-15-125-201-2-sewing-machines
Last reviewed October 2026