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An Art Deco Cabinet For My Singer 15-91

Back in this post, I mentioned in passing that I had recently purchased this vintage Singer 15-91 off of ebay.

Singer 15-91

Since it arrived, I’ve been searching for a cabinet of it’s own to put it in.  Dave and I and our son have searched through several local antique/junk shops, never finding exactly what I was looking for.

I wanted something like that vintage cabinet that Dave refinished and retrofitted for my Singer 7468.   Something with a lid that flipped open to provide a large sewing area and something with drawers for storing threads, bobbins and other sewing notions.

Every other day or so, I’d search through craigslist for any new listings.  I found a few that seemed promising but again never exactly what I was looking for.   Most were too far to travel to go check out.  Some the cabinets were just too much work to refinish.  Others would have been too difficult or impossible to modify to fit the 15-91 as the mounting hinges needed to be 9 5/8” on center.

Then yesterday, I came across an ad for a local yard sale.   An antique sewing machine was listed.   I called the number listed and was told that it was an old Singer.  She said it had a beautiful cabinet that had to be seen to be appreciated and then she told me the asking price… $225.    Disappointed once again, I thanked her but told her that was way out of my price range.

Then Dave and I got talking things over and decided we’d head over close to the end of the yard sale and see if it was still there and whether she’d brought the price down at all.

The lady was right, the cabinet is beautiful though not in quite as pristine a condition as she claimed when I called.  But in contrast to last night, at 2 pm today the price was $100 less.  Then her husband said to Dave, “We’ll take $120 for it.”

SOLD!

Art Deco Sewing machine Cabinet

Art Deco Sewing Machine Cabinet - 2

The cabinet is solid wood with what we think is either a walnut or mahogany veneer.  All four drawers are solid wood, as well.

The left hand drawer (according to subsequent research) has an ink well and pencil/pen tray as Singer had intended that it could used as both a desk and sewing table.  The three drawers on the right are all nice deep drawers that will hold all the attachments that came with my 15-91 plus loads of other sewing notions.

Art Deco Sewing Machine Cabinet - 3

Dave thinks it should only require sanding to smooth out several minor scratches and then a fresh coat of polyurethane.

I’ll recover the seat of the stool after Dave has refinished it, as well.

1938 Singer 201

The sewing machine is a Singer 201 that according to the Serial # was made in Elizabeth, New Jersey around 1938.

Singer 201 Serial #

We’ll be removing this Singer and replacing it with my 15-91.  The 201 will likely get a good cleaning and then be sold either on craigslist or ebay.

 

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10 Comments

  • Micky
    July 19, 2020 4:16 pm

    I have had my grandma’s old machine since 1972…with this almost exact cabinet! I have never cared for it, but it still works, and, IT WAS GRANDMA’S!

    • Super Mom No Cape
      July 27, 2020 5:51 pm

      And that makes it so special, doesn’t it Micky.

  • Jeremy H.
    November 30, 2015 5:23 pm

    I found in a thrift store just recently for $81 a vintage 1933 I believe, singer 15-91 with the original #40 cabinet. Serial number #AD498296. What a find! Needless to say I took it off their hands for that price.

  • Sue
    July 29, 2012 11:40 am

    I bought the exact cabinet with an original Singer model 201-2 machine and came with every attached you can think of plus some ive never heard of. I paid $20 for it, the electric cord is not attached but think with a little work it will be up and running. I would have thought you could have gotten more for it, but without the machine i see why. Im still trying to find one with the machine to see how much they are going for.

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  • Carla
    July 21, 2012 3:11 am

    So glad I saw your site – I just bought this same cabinet at a yard sale. Unfortunately, no machine with it but for $20 I can’t complain. Mine is a lighter color though and does need to be refinished. Which will no doubt keep me occupied while I look for a machine that will fit in it :-)Thanks to you I have some idea of what models to look for!

  • Ryan
    March 27, 2012 2:16 am

    Incredible! I have EXACTLY the same art deco cabinet. It has a chip in the veneer under the left-hand drawer, and sports a 15-91 that’s the twin of yours. I love the little, red felt pads under your spools!

    It came with all of the original attachments and three more I dont recognize – different sizes of the same foot. Last copyright in the original manual is 1941.

  • Katherine
    June 4, 2011 2:53 pm

    Yay! I’m so happy for you. What a beautiful cabinet! I’m sure your 15-91 will be very at home in it. Hooray for your persistence in your search, this was definitely worth the wait.

  • Sandra :)
    June 2, 2011 11:08 pm

    Oh look – Nancy got here before I did – what a bug she is!!! Hey Nanc – go to the Quilt a Bag store lately? *giggle*

    That cabinet is going to be magnificent when it gets refinished – those round drawers are amazing! I’m sure you won’t have any problems selling the old machine on CL or … oh you could try Kijiji too – it’s owned by Ebay, but you can list for free. I prefer it to craigslist because they have more categories and you can have a thumbnail photo – it makes looking for items a lot more convenient than CL 🙂 Congratulations too on the $price$ score!

  • Nancy D
    June 2, 2011 9:32 pm

    Ooooo pretty! That’s an art deco style for sure, and the swing out drawers are amazing. I can’t wait to see it when it gets its facelift. I have my grandmother’s old Singer cabinet, and though it doesn’t have the lovely old 201 any longer, it does house my currently out-of-order Stylist 514. One was traumatically traded in for credit on the purchase of the other. However, I love the sentimentally of the furniture. Patience has its virtues. Congrats on the late-day markdown!

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