OK all you vintage enthusiasts, I need help
 

I purchased a beautiful 301 and I really love it but don't know if I can keep it because of two things (of course this is where you all come in) I can't get it to sew without getting a bird's nest on the back of the fabric of the bobbin thread and found out that the pedal wires are slit right at the attaching point to the pedal. That kind of worries me obviously I don't want a fire in my home. I only have one more day to contact the lady I bought it from so please tell me you can help. I don't know if the screw on the bobbin case are too tight but it just sits there. BTW if I loosen it then it just unravels like crazy. HELP!!! If I do keep her I will post picture then. TIA

Did you get a manual with the machine? If not, I'd suggest you google and download one. There are free ones. If you don't have it threaded correctly, needle inserted the right way and bobbin case going the correct way you'll have all sorts of problems.

Re-wiring the foot controller is not a problem. You can do it yourself or you can buy replacement cords.

I wouldn't let a 301 go over those things. Try the easiest fixes first, replace the needle and the bobbin in case they have a spur that is catching. Check your threading and make sure the needle in in the correct way.

If that doesn't work, check the bobbin case to be sure it's clean and has no loose thread bits.

I can't get it to sew without getting a bird's nest on the back of the fabric of the bobbin thread - You must stop and start with the thread take up lever all the way to the top - needle in top most position or the bobbin thread will wrap around the bobbin and that can cause a nest mess. Otherwise what Candace wisely said.

I do have a manual and have checked needle, threading and bobbin case. Unfortunately I don't happen to have a bobbin that fits this machine it is a metal one that is only a 1/4 inch, I've never seen one this slim before, I have a bunch of Singer bobbins but none like this. Originally I thought the problem was that I filled the bobbin too full but I took some of the thread off and still am having the same problem. I checked the bobbin case and cleaned that nothing. I reread the manual for possible hints--nothing :(. MrsSewNSew I don't want to let it go at all but I'm not real happy the lady wasn't forthcoming about the foot controller, I probably would have still bought it because I love the machine, it just would have been nice to know beforehand.
What if I didn't have all of you?? What would I have done then? So anyone want to tell me how to fix the controller myself and also the manual says you can drop the feed dogs but I don't see any where in the manual how to do it, anyone??? Thanks so much for your responses so far, will continue to do what I have to do, this beauty will not defeat me!!

Singer 301 bobbins are unique to 301/221/222's so they won't play nicely with other machines nor will other machine bobbins play nicely in them. You can get more bobbins from sewclassic.com or likely from your LSMS. Have you checked for lint under the throat plate or behind the bobbin race? Those would be my next thoughts for thread snarls.

Can you shoot a picture of the bobbin case and the bobbins?

The Singer 9W-7 predates the 221/222/301s and uses the same bobbin.

Joe

I hope you don't have to let it go. For a 301 I would replace what needs to be replaced and go from there. Hope you get it running properly.

On Saturday, I was sewing on my FW and sewed two long seams putting the binding on a quilt before I realized it was nesting on the bobbin side of things. After playing the rip-it theme, I slightly adjusted the tension, sewed a few inches and everything was set to go. I sewed the rest of the quilt binding on without a problem. Not sure if this is helpful or not.:)

To drop the feed dogs. Open up the little lid/bridge and look at your bobbin. Next to it on the left is a knob. That knob drops your feed dogs when you turn it.