My 301A was purchased especially for FMQ. She does a wonderful job. Any problems are with the operator, not the machine. AnnieRose also pieces much better than my 'good' machine. I have purchased the FM foot, a 1/4" foot, a SITD foot, bobbins and a new bobbin winder wheel from April1930s shoppe. Great service with no shipping.

I have one and I really like it. My 10 year old grandson loves to make his quilt squares on it

Hi mommaB. Oh yes, I can remember my mom bent over that singer sewing machine turning out the most wonderful things. I was probably around 10 years old when Barbie dolls came out. I was very lucky to have a doll but there was little money for the store bought doll clothes. Since my mom sewed for a living, doing repairs and alterations and sometimes making gowns and dresses she always had an abundance of leftover fabrics. She always saved every bit of material and then she would design and sew fancy clothes for our dolls out of the scraps. My best momory was the real mink coat that she made my Barbie out of the collar that a customer has her remove from a coat. I was the envy of all my little friends because of the wonderful clothes my dolls had. Mom was a smart woman too. There was a man that was a president of a large shoe manufacturing plant located near our home. He always bought silk pajamas and brought them to my mom to alter. He always insisted in trying on the pj bottoms and having her pin baste them as he wore them so the fit would be just right. My mom hated it when he came and she always made sure all of us kids were there in her sewing room while he was there. Didn't understand it when I was 10 but I do now. When I look back, they were certainly special times. We were poor in a lot of ways but so rich in the memories that my mom made for us. Barbo

I recently purchased a 301A Shortbed and I love it. It is a little heavier then the 221's, but it is all gear driven as opposed to the belt on the Featherweight. It handles the fabric so well, especially when you are going over those intersections. I have a Bernina, that is now put away and I am using the 301.I purchased mine from "Duanes Singer Original Vintage Product Parts". He is just great. He guarantees the machine and even has a 60 day layaway program with 1/2 down. If you're looking for anything Singer Vintage,either he has it or can get it. And if you are looking for a particular machine, he will contact you when he gets one in. I can't say enough nice things about him. :)

I just have to join in too! I have three 301 machines. Two black and one beige. All are the long beds and I would not part with one of them. My son asks me how many machines I can use at one time!!! I tell him to just don't worry about it! Absolutely the best machines.

Thanks SherriB for the heads up. I recently bought a magnetic stictch guide for my wonderful 301a and it has helped my 1/4" seam trememdously -- will check out the 1/4" foot.

Just love my little 301a, she has a short bed, and just hums away contendedly. I really think she likes guild meetings and UFO days as much as I do. Just recently discovered the feed dogs can be lowered for FMQ. I may dabble in this a little later, but for now I am strictly a handquilter (if it was good enough for my dear grandmother, it is good enough for me).

You definitely cannot go wrong with a 301a. I bought a second one for backup and I even have a 221, but like the added weight of the 301a.

I own the 301A machine & love it. My quilt teacher bought it new in 1954.She learned to quilt on it & taught me on this machine.When she could no longer see how to quilt,she gave the machine to me.Her daughter has no interest in sewing.This machine is the one I quilt on. Still haven't tried all the feet that came with it. Enjoy your new machine as much as I enjoy Ms.Dee.

I have a featherweight (1950), a Red Eye (1914 motor) and a WHITE, which was made in Japan at the end of the war by, I understand, Singer.
This third one is heavy duty and I can also drop the feed dogs on it for silk, embroidery and of course the normal setting.
These are the only machines I sew on.

Congrats on your "new" machine. You will be very happy with it. I have both a FW 221 in black & a 301 in tan; got both @ a great price from a friend who has a houseful of vintage machines. I am very sentimental about remembering my grandma & great aunt sew on the black singers. Yet after using my 2 vintage machines, I don't think of the tan ones as such "an ugly duckling" anymore; the lighter surface is easier on the eyes to see what you're doing. I love them both, 221 for piecing & classes, the 301 for FMQ (feed dogs drop). I have about 6 other machines, newest being a mid-priced Viking, but I find I like the feel & sound of the vintage Singers best. If I need a fancy stitch I use the Viking.
I also bought some 221 & 301 parts from "April's 1930 shop" on Ebay & would highly recommend her in confidence based on several experiences there. Others may be a little less, but you won't need to question the accuracy of condition, & specifics, as you may for the odd-lot seller.

BTW, my great-aunt is still living & stopped working at age 96 (seamstress for 70+ years), still sharp as a tack at 98! She made all of the families clothes on an old black Singer 201 (the greatest full-size singer made), as well as sewing men's suits & wedding gowns (career). Favorite aunt:)

I have a black long-bed 301 and a tan short-bed and both of them are terrific machines. It's hard for me to decide what to sew on sometimes. I love the convenience and bells and whistles of my newer Janomes, but the Singers are dependable, just as accurate and sew through anything. I enjoy them all!