Finding a 301A
 

Hi I am new to this site and you all have inspired me to purchase a vintage Singer machine. I think I would be most happy with a 301A (black is my first choice,but not picky). I have seen the FW, but unfortunately my pocketbook will not stretch that far at this time. I have recently retired and am sewing alot of donation quilts for my local church. It has been said many times the 301As are the best for piecing.
Where would be the best place to look for one? My husband is very mechanically inclined and may be able to do some minor repairs. I have not seen any on Craigslist in my area (Northern Wisconsin). Ebay has some, but there again not sure if that is a good idea. Any suggestions?

I have found 2 on Craigslist but it took awhile. I have 2 FW as well and both are workhorses. I have not bought anything on Ebay, but I know that others have and had good luck. Keep an eye on their history. People who are unhappy are very vocal! If you travel, keep your eye out at antique and thrift shops. One person I bought a 301 from finds his machines and refurbishes them. Hope you find what you are looking for!

Craigslist. You eliminate all the shipping costs and attendant problems and you can try the machine yourself.
I found a 301 at the Goodwill, all I wanted was the table so gave the 301 to a member here in exchange for a bit of fabric.

The 301 and 400 series (I LOVE my 404) are highly recommend because they were aluminum machines so make great carry alongs, they are under 20 pounds.

If you don't plan on doing any classes the field is wide open in vintage machines :)

good luck with the search. I looked for about a year on craigslist before a found my 404, there were some prior to that but condition and price were part of my watchlist.

I found all three of my on Craigslist in the town that I live in. The last one I purchased was a black one for $150~perfect condition~perfect running order~ with the original case and attachments. It was about 3 years ago. Happy hunting. The other two each came with their own original sewing cabinet and bench and were under $75.

Give it some time. Find out if there is a local newspaper for your area (usually a weekly, usually free) and check the ads in that and in any other local newspapers. Regularly check out thrift stores in your area. If you have the time, check out garage sales and estate sales -- especially those that advertise sewing items for sale. There should be a few estate sale organizations in your area that have online listings. These are very helpful as you can look through the photos posted prior to the sale and see if there are any sewing machines in the pictures. Here is one website where you can sign up to be notified of estate sales in your area: http://www.estatesales.net/ .

You could also join the SewItsForSale group at groups.yahoo.com . Every once in awhile someone posts a vintage machine for sale. I think it's okay to purchase from eBay *if* the seller has a stellar track record (check their feedback history) and routinely sells vintage machines on eBay. People who don't routinely sell sewing machines on eBay often don't understand whether they actually work or not, and also often do not package them correctly for shipment, resulting in damage when they arrive.

Good luck with your search. I piece quilt top for my church group too. Have fun and enjoy the pleasure of giving.

Thank you! Both of your suggestions are great!

Also, if you belong to a guild or sewing group, or frequent a specific quilt shop so they know you, put out the word that you're looking for one. Sometimes someone will have a vintage machine in a closet they don't use and would be willing to pass on to a new owner.

Cari

Purchased mine over e-bay (2 different ones, 2 different transactions). I may not have gotten the "bargain" that lots of folks have, but I got two very good working machines. Both were well packed and arrived in fine shape. I keep one at the cabin and use it regularly. The one at home is my main piecing and fmq machine. They are 16 lbs, easy to maintain, and consistent. Hang in there, you'll find your's. Mine are both the two tone beige.

Another good suggestion! Thank you!

You can also post that you are looking for this machine on Craigslist. you do have to be patient as well as look into neighboring areas. I have bought several this way. Write yourself a note to make sure that the bobbin case is there. Also check for power cord and working foot pedal. Do plug in and sew if at all possible. Familiarize yourself with the bobbin case and the " finger" position- if it's not correct, the machine will not form the beautiful stitches it is known for. Good luck, the 301 is my favorite machine to sew with.

Forgot to mention you can also post an ISO (In Search Of) on the SewItsForSale group. I would put my city in that post, just in case there is someone nearby with a machine they aren't using.

Mine was also a craigslist find for 45.00. The case is a little beat up, and it needed a tire on the bobbin winder and a light bulb. I oiled it and sews well. I have it on my grace frame.

I got both of mine on Craigslist, first one cost me $100 and the second one was $25 and it was in a cabinet. Right now the cabinet is in storage until my husband refinishes it. Just keeping looking something will show up sooner or later.

Just keep cruising CL. It will happen in time. I've purchased a couple of vintage machines for very good prices on CL. I also just picked up a FW card table for $12 on CL. The deals are there, they just take time. I'm looking for a 301 myself but not willing to pay alot of $$. It, too, will happen - in time.

ETA - when doing a search on CL, I use the term 'sewing'. Many people don't know what they have so if you limit your search to '301A' for example, you may be missing some opportunities. Just a thought.

Thank you for you suggestions. I will continue checking CL.

I purchased my tan 301A from Ebay. The person I purchased it from maintained it extremely well and it sews like a dream. The price was $200, but I did get free shipping. I did have to purchase some additional feet for it, but considering how wonderful it sews, did not think that was a major cost. Once you find one you will LOVE it. Just a personal note....does color really make a difference? Why pass up one that is a different color and sews great?
Best of luck in you search.

I purchased mine from a sewing machine repair shop for $75 before they became an alternative for a FW. I have seen them available at Sewing and Vacuum Dealers.

I bought my 301A with case and manual from Ebay several years ago. I think I paid about $75 plus shipping. It arrived well packaged and sews beautifully. I even use it for FMQ on smaller quilts. The prices for the 301's have gone up quite a bit but they are worth it.

Be patient, one will come. I have serviced about 8 of them. I own 3. My personal recommendation is the two tone, the LBOW (light beige, oyster white) because the paint application is the most secure. I have found the black and the mocha paints more oxidized and thinner. Not sure why. It is a very fast machine and very reliable. It is a direct drive machine. I piece, can free motion and do it with perfect stitches. When I do heavy duty things, I use my 15-91 that has a potted motor.

You are correct color does not make a difference. I do think the long bed is better though.

Thank you I will give some thought to opening my search for the two toned. Thanks again.

Just got one on ebay.
I am afraid of shipping, so I look for ones close to home so I can pick them up. I usually meet the seller at a public location. Once in a while I do go to a home.
I have also found them on CL usually by just looking at machines, because you never know how they will be listed. Most folks now a days have very little knowledge of sewing machines.
Latest one is solid beige and I have one two tone. They sew very nice and have a built in handle.

Ethel

DO ask at a nearby sewing machine repair man. Perhaps maybe a SM/ vacuum store-?

Both of mine came from ebay. The first one was well packed, the second not so much and the case was damaged. the machine was fine and that's all I care about. The seller made a generous refund so it wasn't a bad transaction. Each one was under $100 with shipping, but the prices are going up. Keep watching ebay. Every so often one doesn't get many bids and is reasonable. I like the short bed because it fits in a Kenmore desk with some modifications underneath - the bed fit perfectly. I don't use any of the attachments. Only a FM foot purchased from aprils1930sshoppe and the presser foot that came with the machine. I wouldn't pass up one because it didn't have any. AnnieRose came with just the machine and she's worth every penny. Her back up has the case and attachments, but they've never been out of the box.

I have 3 of them. All three are mocha, one long bed and the other two are short. Two of them were lucky thrift store finds, one with a case/one without, but both cheap. One is in a cabinet and I bought it from a craigslist ad. It wasn't so much the machine them as the small singer sewing cabinet that came with it. It doesn't match the 301 cabinet but it does match my Grandma's 66 cabinet from 1928 and they are rare. But then I oiled her up and found out how nice she sews. I have 2 featherweights and they can't be beat for their cuteness. However the 301 is stronger and more versatile. I probably should sell a couple of them but can't pass them up when I see them.

You can also log onto the Goodwill site to look. I check the site at least once a week for craft items and there are always sewing machines (301's and 401's) for sale. Believe the site is shopgoodwill.com., and machines are listed in the craft section. Be sure to read everything as not all the stores are willing to ship. Worth looking at if you have time to kill

Have you tried the ShopGoodwill on line. They often have vintage machines for sale very cheap
. You bid on them and sometimes they haven't been plugged in and tried out but those Singers are like the FW. Simple to use and easy to repair and parts are still available.

Thank you!

I sent you a pm......private message.

Replied to pm..

It's interesting...I've become interested in the 301's myself and have started watching them on eBay...a nice 301 seems to be selling for around the same price as a decent Featherweight these days.

I don't know if that means 301s are becoming MORE popular, or that the FW furor is dying down? I do find it interesting though, I sort of expected to find a nice 301 on eBay in a case for around $100 but so far that hasn't proven to be true at all. (Though I am being picky - I want a black one with a long bed so those are the only auctions I'm really watching; maybe it's just that particular configuration is more rare and/or goes for more...?)

I have been watching Ebay as well and true the 301s are becoming popular and more expensive . However the FW have really gotten expensive. Just this afternoon two were listed as Buy it Now $899 and $999 or starting bids of $366.00. They are beyond what I can spend. I will continue to check CL as well and my local thrift shops. Have seen several 401s but no 301s.

I got both of my 301's at estate sales. Have run across other older singer machines at tag sales but can only use so many machines (I have at least 15) and had to walk away. My sewing machine repair man also sells older machines, just keep checking CL, Ebay as well as your local paper. Let the owners of the quilt shops know you are looking and they will usually keep their ears and eyes open for anyone looking to sell. Also found one in my local Goodwill but have no seen many since then. Hope some of these suggestions will help.

I have purchased 3 301's: the cheapest best one was at a garage sale that advertised sewing machine, but not the model - perfect machine, perfect case. The second one was a non-worked model for $15 (the bobbin case was worth more than that). The last one was at the estate sale of a machine repairman. It was stored in a shed and was very dirty. It cleaned up with no problem and works great.

My advice is to look everywhere. When you are at a garage sale, estate sale, or thrift store, always ask what they have in the line of sewing machines and attachments. Sometimes the gems aren't out on display or advertised.

You will find one if you are patient!

This may have been said, but I seen a few at quilt shows.

This thread needs some pics. :thumbup:

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Oh that's an idea. I'm going to Paducah next year.

If you are considering a 301, do it now rather than later. The prices are going up. I got mine on Ebay and was lucky because the seller was a terrible photographer and the machine looked bad. It was just dirty and cleaned right up. Just be sure it is all there, bobbin case, etc. You can get new bobbins and other parts from Sew-Classic.com. Jenny can get bobbin cases, but the new ones aren't as nice as the old ones. Expect to pay $35 up on Ebay. Jenny is helpful. You can call her if you are unsure. Their prices are fair.
Be sure the bobbin case is in the machine BEFORE you bid, even if you have to ask the seller. I prefer my 301 to the FW. No hate mail please. It just isn't as picky and finicky as the FW. It goes to our sit and sews. Mine is black, but the mocha ones are nice and sometimes less pricey. Go for it. You will be glad you did.

I paid about $50 because of the bad photography, but wouldn't expect that to happen ever again. It even had the trapezoid carrying case. Makes it heavy as lead though and I would like to rehome it. I use a rolling case for sit and sews and it holds lots and even I can manage it. Love my 301.

Didn't see a one at Paducah, just very expensive FWs. If you go, look at Fred Switzer's FW stuff in the exhibition building, just south of the quilt show in the "air building". He sells wooden spindles that convert regular, sewing machine thread spindles for the spools with larger sized holes. I got one two years ago, and just bought another one for a friend this past show. He sells service manuals for FWs, belts, attachments, etc. You can contact him at Suncatcher.com. also. As long as the FWs are popular, someone will sell bobbins and bobbin cases since the 301 takes the same as the FW. Don't give up. Keep looking.
Check out thrift shops wherever you find them. My daughter bought a Model 15 Singer for $25 in a cabinet because they needed the space. She got a 201 for $50 at an antique shop. Some shops aren't greedy and some are. I rehabilitate her rescued machines and re-home them to quilters, who appreciate nice machinery. We don't want to see them end up in the landfill.