I am thinking about buying a refurbished Singer 301 sewing machine off of ebay, but as I have researched it it seems like the 401 might be a bit better machine as far as machine quilting goes.

The advantages to me for the 301 is that it is a lighter machine and is a bit more reasonably priced ( after a quick look see). I might be able to find a 401 without all of the bells and whistles for a similar price.

My husband remembers his mom having a 301 when he was a kid and says he used it a lot! So for sentimental reasons HE wants the 301.

If you have a 301 and it serves you well, please tell me if I will be happy using it for FMQ. I have been a traditionalist thus far but arthritis issues have me reconsidering my position on all things must be quilted by hand. lol

GET BOTH!!! HEHEHEHE

I wish I could! Unfortunately, my children have developed a "taste" for eating. (Pun Intended!)

Do you have a zigzag machine now? If so, then I'd go with the 301. The vertical bobbin is better for FMQ than a horizontal one. My 301, AnnieRose, came from an Ebay seller last Fall. She pieces beautifully - no eating tiny edges like a zz machine and FMQs wonderfully. My vintage Elna has ZZ and decorative cams, so I only needed a quilting machine, which the Elna is not.

Thank you for your in-put. I really appreciate it. (Do you remember your ebay seller?)

So, you don't find it is difficult to maneuver the quilt in your 301?

(I read a review of which machines were best for FMQ and the 301 was in her opinion great but not for large quilts. Here is the review: http://reviews.ebay.com/Free-Motion-...00000003585145)

ONE WARNING!!! At least 50% of the ebay photos for the 301's listed show missing bobbin cases! And they don't tell you in the description that you will have to spend another $40-$80 to get a replacement. I have a thread about this subject right now http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-139697-1.htm

So, before you bid, make sure the bobbin case is included and ask for a photo. Remember, these folks don't always sew and they think a bobbin is a bobbin case and have no clue..

I have the I have a featherweight and a 301...Love both of them as they are so light and easy to take to classes. I do really like my featherweight somewhat better as my 301 is in a cabinet. Not familiar with 401. Forgot to mention that I do most of my FMQ on a Janome-New Home Memory Craft 8000 or a Juki. I haven't been doing much quilting but have made baby quilt recently doing 1/4 inch stitching and and loved the results.

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it so much. I know there is a risk when buying off of ebay.

I bought the cutest 301 a couple of weeks ago and cleaned it all up and she sews beautifully...this weekend I found another one...in a table...I don't know anything about the 401..but do watch for the bobbin case...make sure they know what it is...

I bought a 221 a while ago and the lady told me the bobbin case was broken...I bought the machine becasue the price was good but when i got it home I saw there was nothing wrong with the bobbin case ...it was the tension unit that was in pieces and I was able to put it all back together...

Okay, showing my ignorance here. Is the bobbin case the metal part that holds the metal bobbin that has the thread wound on it?

If so, there is a picture showing that part under the machine.

Is that what is sometimes missing?

Contact the seller and asked him is it is there or not. Keep a copy of the email if he says yes so that you have proof if it comes and it's not there. Also make sure it has the powercord and foot pedel with it. They ususally answer back pretty fast; don't rely on what you may or may not see in a pic especially since you aren't that familiar with it.

Thank you. Will do. Right now.

Yes it is a metal holding case that comes out and bobbin is put in that...
I have a 1951 Black 301 which did not come w/bobbin case...picked it up at a tag sale for 30.00 so I didn't mind buying case for it...for 69.00. Runs beautiful after a ckup with Singer repair man who does vintage machines.
He told me the 301 is the best gear driven machine Singer made and he'd buy that even before a featherweight...He was right it purrs and what a great stitch.

A few mths after buying that I found a 2 Toned beige 1954 301A for 120.00 on Craigs List in cabinet.. I was hooked on my 301 but I find this 301A I like even better even though they are the same machine other then where they were made...That baby purrs even smoother and I discovered the cabinet came equipped with knee pedal which I use and love. So get your 301 versus the 401 you won't regret it.

Before I bid on this machine....can anyone tell me if I need a special walking foot or anything like that for FMQ?

I have decided to go ahead and bid on this machine....it is a short bed and not the long.

My husband bought me my 301a for HIS birthday.

(Hooray!)

Yes, you will need a darning or FM foot. The 301 is slant shank machine so a regular short shank won't fit. I purchased mine from April1930sshop for $18.95 and no shipping. My LQS likes it better than the one they sell. I have only done lap quilts, but some have been 70 by 80 inches. A 7 1/4" or 7 1/2" harp is only normal size, but I haven't had any trouble. I think the curved pillar helps a little. I like my machines flush in a desk or cabinet. I can't sew with a machine sitting above table level. I know it's all in what I'm accustomed to. First, I used my serger table with the extension that raises on the left side. Now it's in a Kenmore cabinet from Salvation Army for $1. Looks normal. No one knows it's resting on a cut up 2 by 4. My chances of finding a 301 cabinet in the north country aren't good. Actually, I know where there is one in Indianapolis and my son sometimes travels that way.

Miss AnnieRose is worth every penny of the $61 I paid for her. The seller had replaced the electric cord and thought he had cleaned and serviced her. Oiled, maybe, cleaned, not. But they are easy machines to service yourself - also light to ship unless there's a case involved. If you don't get a manual, sewclassic.com has a free one.

You got a much better deal than I did. But, I am still VERY happy. Now, I know what to look for in second hand/thrift stores.

My husband grew up sewing and maintaining his mother's 301a machine and is promising to put mine into a table for me.

Is April1930sshop someone on the QB or can you give me the contact info so I can get a foot?

Thanks for letting me know,

Deb

Can't go wrong with a 301! Feed dogs dog and lightweight! Easy to thread! Solid! I think I will go sew on mine!

http://www.april1930s.com/html/embro...cessories.html

I bought the 1/4" foot, too. I'm not sure about that one. First I liked it, now I like a metal guide screwed to the machine better. Also the SITD foot. Love that one. I wouldn't SITD without it. I haven't needed a walking foot - Annie doesn't shift the fabric like the Elna. A new tire for the bobbin winder (Annie's was dry) and a screw for the thread guide someone on the board gifted me with. The regular Singer screw wouldn't fit. I have purchased a tension spring as Annie's seems a little springy, but so far haven't needed to install it, but for $2.95, I'm covered. I could get at sewclassic for less than a $1, but there is a minimum purchase and a shipping fee that's much more than $2.

Look at the home page at the $600 original penguin walking foot for the featherweight. The first time I saw it, I had to read it twice.

I just bought a brand new darning foot off of ebay for $12.95 will that be adequate for quilting? Can I SITD with that?

I wish I would have waited until I heard back from you! lol

This is the best darning foot for slant shank machines that I've ever tried:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-S...-SCF384037.htm

No problem at all using it on the 301. I have a vintage darning foot that was made specifically for the 301, but I like working with this one better. :)

Great visibility and very quiet. I have about ten different kinds of darning feet including some that are very old and some that are virtually all plastic and pretty expensive - but my favorite for the low shank costs $3 and this one for slants costs $6. I wish they made this model in a low shank style.

After you've been quilting for a while, this foot almost disappears and you don't even notice it being there! :)

No, you can't stitch in the ditch with the darning foot, but you can free motion quilt with it. a SITD foot has a little flange in the center front that pushes the fabric back so you can get on or close to the seam. It's so much easier on my hands and more accurate.

Pollyparrot, I'll keep that in mind if I ever need another one.

Yes, Ck out SewClassic.com for all your feet. They make a Walking Foot Slant Needle catagory just for the 301 and 301A..Right now they are out of Stock so I myself keep cking.
Some Walking Feet don't quite work with the 301 and some have had to grind down the arm of it to get it to work right. I don't need to be bother doing that.
You can also buy a magnetic fabric guide right at Joann's for 4.99 if you want to save on 1/4 inch foot.
Don't forget you thread the needle from right to left. Allot of ladies thread in wrong direction and can't figure out what's wrong.

I don't have the 301, but I have heard it is a really good machine. I have had the 401 for many years, and it is a great machine.

I like the idea of having both. Life is short so why not have a few toys?

I have a 401 and it is great..I sew on it and my FW..the 401 is in a cabinet..heavy, but it really purrs. will always keep the 401

Also, if possible, try sewing on the machine before you buy!! I know that it is often geographically impossible, but then if you cannot, be certain you can return the machine if it is not all it's cracked up to be.

I have my grandmothers 301 and we have sewn everything from silky blouses to heavy quilts on this. LOVE it!!!! Go for it!

I own both, and the difference is the weight on the 301 makes it portable if you are taking it to a class or retreat. The 401 has the capabilitly of a lot of stitches, including overcasting edges (closest thing to serger without owning one) with disc 22 and the overcast foot. They are both excellent machines, virtually indestructible, however the weight of the 401 makes it a little harder to move around. You can also drop the feed dogs on both so FMQ works on both. I love the quality of the stitch on my 301, but if I could only have one of these it would have to be the 401, but then mine is in a cabinet, and I don't take it anywhere. :-D

I have the 306 Singer, wonder what is the difference between this and the 301 ???
I really would love to have an 301a based on everybody's talk on it, the black vs tan is what im not sure of what i want!

Does the 306 use cams or zz?, the 301 is a straignt stitch only. I love all the old black singers, so dressy, but the 301 tans is usually easier to find. ALSO did you know that the 301 can be had in a 5 inch long bed vs the short 2 1/2?

I am the very proud owner of a black longed 301 which I wouldn't give up for any other machine. I have 3 Featherweights, 2 are the 222K free arm variety. I like them. They are so easily taken to classes, etc, but the 301 is such a nice machine to free motion and stitch with. I'm so happy with it. I own a couple of modern Janomes that are nice machines, but my goto machine has become my black 301.
I am also on the hunt for a good 401 so I have zigzag ability. I like that I can service these machines myself and they are virtually indestructible. My computerized machines will be junk long before my vintage machines are done. Quality stuff!

I have owned several 401 machines since I purchased a new one when they first came out in 1958. I would give one to my daughter then grands then great-grand daughters, then buy another.
Besides the zz, built-in cams (and some extras) that you dial with the two dials it has heming stitch and many others.
I am not familiar w/ 301
I have not quilted with one, but have pieced many quilts and made lots of clothing with them.
Phyllis
82 yrs in Oregon
70 years quilting

I have a 401a that I would not ever give up. It is a true workhorse. Hope I get lucky one day, and find a 301 at a good price. I love to sew on vintage machines. When the computerized ones are in the shop getting fixed because the motherboard went out, I will still be stitching along. Unless the power goes out!!!

I have both, but I like the 301 better! I sew a lot with my students and they seem to use the 301 better also.

that's right....the 306 has cams! Loved it but kinda heavy but not as heavy as the 15-90 in cabinnet that i have. Fixing to give the 15-90 to goodwill...anyone needs the manual for this one? Maybe i better post online for this.

You can't use a magnetic seam guide on the 301. The reason it's light is that the body is aluminum. The magnetic guide just dances around.

I bought a 301A (long bed) a few years ago off of Ebay, and I love it! It is my machine I take to church for our Tuesday quilt sessions, it sews through heavy layers like butter. I oil and lubricate it a couple times a year and it is fabulous. Mine came with a case which is so handy. Last year I had to replace the plug in on the cord, but other than that nothing has broken down. Get the 301.

I borrowed my mom's 301 once and loved it for piecing. There's a 1/4" mark on the throat plate!