In 1915, Singer would introduce the first true electric sewing machine, the Model 101.

Due to its incredible cost

of $250, the 101 was not very successful.

The 101-3 and the 101-11 were the same, except that the -3 was cast iron, the -11 was aluminum. (precursor to
the 221). Also, another site noted that the 101-3 arm and bed were not nec. cast as one piece. (I have not
verified that info yet.). The 101 did not have backtack or reverse. The stitches were backtacked by means of
setting the stitch length to "1" and sewing a few stitches.

(Different sites reference different build dates). According to ismacs, the 101 was made from 1920 to 1937 as
the first fully electric machine Singer made. Therefore, the inference is that it was always electric, never treadle
or handcrank. Notice the different bobbin winding mech. and the round, clicking stitch length knob on the BED
of the machine. It also has a twist off, i think... aluminum cover over the motor. Round, not the rounded
rectangle of the 'potted' motors.

The machine I found, has no model or S/N plate on the front bed/arm. It is in the special 'deluxe' library cabinet
40... that according to Singer/ismacs was only used for the 66k, 66-9?, 66-16 and the 101-3. The 101-3 was the
cast iron head - and there happened to be a magnet stuck to the bed of the machine when I looked at it. So it's
not the aluminum head version.

You'll note the similar faceplate scroll work and bed/arm decal scroll designs - similar to the Featherweight 221.
But I do believe, based on what I saw... the 101 is a full sized machine.

I've attached some pictures from others' machines, craigslist and such. I had no camera with me when I found
the machine.

Singer 101 in Deluxe Library Cabinet

close up of 101 stitch length and bobbin winder guide on bed

The 101 is going to use the Class 66 bobbins.

What a beautiful machine! Remember lube for the motor ports and oil for the
rest of it. Dan is right in that it will take the standard short shank attachments.
Manual cover for 101
 Text of manual page, note aluminum reference

Singer 101 in Deluxe Cab. - see how right side hangs down to conserve space. In this shot, the support arm has
not deployed under the left leaf. Usually, the left side is flat/even.
https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2018/01/singer-101-sewing-machine-information.html

The 101 was Singer’s very first residential sewing machine specifically designed to be used as an electric sewing
machine. Not to be confused with the electrified sewing machines that were designed to be used as a treadle sewing
machine or hand cranked sewing machine and adapted to accommodate the use of an electric motor and light.

The Singer model 101 was introduced in 1920 and production ended in 1932. During the twelve years of production
230,475 of these machines were manufactured. Averaging less than 20,000 machines per year with a consumer cost per
machine of $140.00 to $170.00 it was easy to see why there are not a lot of these machines roaming out in the wild. I
wasn’t able to match all the machines to a specific manufacturing plant but I was able to match my particular machine’s
serial number to the Elizabethport facility. Singer records show the production run of serial numbers containing my
numbers was commissioned between 1928 and 1930. Mine was registered as being produced Aug 2, 1929. As stated in
the intro the 101 was specifically designed to be an electric sewing machine only. It has a built-in (potted) motor that
drives the sewing machine crankshaft via gears instead of the typical friction wheel or belt systems common to the time
period.

Not only was the 101 the first Singer machine designed for electricity, there are some other design features that remain
proprietary to it as well. It is the only residential Singer machine to utilize an oil sump and wicking system to lubricate all
the components under the bed of the machine. It is also the only machine to incorporate a fully removable bedplate so
all cleaning and regular routine maintenance can be performed from the top side of the machine.

The stitch length regulator is a rotary dial that protrudes from the bedplate surface beside the pillar of the machine.
Now with all these unique innovations, it would be easy to expect to find special needles or perhaps a one of a kind
bobbin. But that isn’t the case at all. The 101 uses a common 15x1 needle and a class 66 drop-in bobbin. The needle
threads left to right same as the model 66’s and the 99’s and it doesn’t seem to mind using a plastic bobbin. We have
added a short video to demonstrate how to thread the needle and wind a bobbin. It also showcases why I feel the way I
do about this specific 101.

I enjoy using my 101, I find it to be very quiet and smooth in operation. It probably is not the fastest stitcher in the Quilt
room, but it certainly sews fast enough for the average sewist. It lays down some of the finest stitches any round bobbin
machine can be expected to produce and can proudly match the quality of the two 201’s we have in the studio. The
biggest disadvantage the 101 has, in my opinion, is its lack of back-tack or reverse. I believe if it would have had a full
reverse stitch it could have seen more success on the sales floor. But without anything significantly different at the time,
the cost difference between it and the motorized 66 or 99 severely hampered its acceptance into most households of
the era. Mind you now this is only marketing speculation and my opinion.