I was wondering if any one is familiar with the singer 401A model sewing machine.
My question is from what I have seen it has cams, Do you have to have the cams to get the different stitching?
Is it a good machine to use for quilting, free motion quilting? Any and all quilting needs?
Any other helpful information about this machine would be great!
Thanks in advance,
Carol

That is a great machine and yes the cams are what does the decorative stitches. One cam can do several different type of stitches depending on the type selected. I have a 500A and although I have not yet played with it yet I am very impressed with all of its features.

That machine will do anything you want it to do and would be perfect for quilting!!

Maybe after I get finished doing my 128 I will get working on the 500A

Billy

the 401 has a 'cam stack' - meaning that the cams are more or less built it - you choose the stitch you want by 2 different levers... it also uses other discs
so if you come across a 401 but it's missing the extra discs grab it anyway - you can still use a blue bazillion stitches while you look for more discs...
I found a really neat blog:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

I have a 401a and love it, I was lucky enough to find it at a thrift store in Fl. all the attachments, manual, buttonhole attachment, I haven't used my other machine since. I just read that the feed dogs can't be lowered, so I guess free motion is out with this machine, unless someone knows of another way. I love mine, and wish you many happy hours with yours.

On my 500 the feed dog plate raises so you can do FMQ on my machine.

Billy

Yes I have read that the feed dog plate raises. , from the picture the numbers look kind of warn... but from an online picture I ran across I think I could figure it out.
Thanks, so $40 wouldn't be a bad price to pay for one that they say works? And it is in a cabinet.
(I am feeling that's a silly question)

Thanks a lot for your responses,
Carol

$40 is a *great* price for a 401A in a cabinet!

Its not at your house yet? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Go get it!!

Billy

LOL Yeah after all the praising I have read about it in this thread I was wondering why I haven't gotten it yet. One reason is I don't know if the cabinet will fit in my car :o(
Billy are you going to help me after I get it to make sure I can get it cleaned up in fine shape? lol You like being driven crazy by a person with lots of questions? I sure hope so.
Thanks so much for the information and encouragement.
Carol
Will post pictures if it's still available and I get it!

JJs that was one of the sites I ran across when I was searching for information online, Thanks for posting it. I found interesting links within it.