I am wondering if anyone of y'all have used a Singer 301 for free motion quilting? I am getting a table for my 301 tomorrow, so it will be in the table so would make a smooth area for me to have the quilt on. The feed dogs drop, what do y'all think? Just curious.

Sibyl

Works like a charm. The vertical bobbin feeds thread better for FMQ. My AnnieRose does a great job. Any problems are operator error or lack of skill on my part, not hers. Any thread, and tension, feeddogs either up or down. Her only requirement is the FM foot from April1930sshop.com

It works beautifully for FMQ!

Be careful when approaching a point where there is a "stack" of fabric - where many seam allowances come together. The slant needle makes this machine a little more prone to needle deflection (broken needles, bent needles) than a needle that's oriented straight up and down. But, it's not difficult to work around those intersections and you'll be making adjustments automatically before you know it. :)

It's a great little machine and the cabinet is going to make a huge difference for you. I can't even imagine how someone can do FMQ when their machine is moving right along with the quilt. That would be so hard to get used to! I LOVE my "tank" machines with big heavy wooden cabinets! :)

Have fun! :)

Thanks for affirming what I was thinking. I thought it would make a good machine for that. I am so excited to get the table for it. I'm getting it for a steal. Now just need to get the foot---should order one now--so I'll be ready to go next week.

Sibyl

Do you have the cradle and latches that go in the cabinet, or is the cabinet specifically made for the 301?

When I read your last message, I had a little "uh-oh" moment, but if the table was made for the 301, the uh-oh can go away. ;)

This is one of the card table similar to the Featherweight card table---but for the 301. It is super neat because I have a very small area in my sewing room to set up a sit down place for me to sew. This will be perfect. I already have the table and Featherweight, and it is really nice. Now I'll have this one---will take one down, to put the other one up, but that is fine. Thanks for being concerned if I didn't have a cradle.

Sibyl

Oh, very cool! Have a great time with it! :)

Put a coat of carnuba car wax on the machine before you fmq. You won't believe how easy your quilt will glide on this machine! Good luck.

Nancy
quilter711

I wish I could find a table like yours for my 301A, that doesn't cost an arm and leg.

You know, in July I bought a 301 with a case for $40...cute as a button...then shortly after that I found another one about 2 hours away...in a table, with a stool, and a bobbin cabinet..price $40....I posted pics...at the same time, there was another one ...but 4 hours away...black, in the most beautiful cabinet...i have been trying to find someone who can bring it to me..but so far no luck...price...with table and stool...$40...but I can't get to it...the man is holding it but eventually he is going to want to sell it...I am sad about it....

Is your 301 table a "new product" if yes where did you obtain...Or is it vintage? I have a 301 and need a table...I have a 301A in it's own cabinet. I was thinking of purchasing the Gidget for the 301...

OH and it's great for FM

Will all your comments be true for a 401? :) Just aquired one... and was thinking maybe it would be good for FMQ?

No this is a vintage product--but in the picture looks brand new---will post pictures when I get it later today.

Sibyl

As much as I love the 401s, they have a horizontal drop in bobbin vs the vertical bobbin that the 301 has. Also you can't drop the feed dogs, in fact you elevate the plate to remove it. I have not heard of anyone having real good success FMQ with it, but that isn't to say it can't be done---it's always worth a try---make a fabric sandwich and give it a try.

Sibyl

Ahhh, gotcha. Thanks for the info. :) I havent really ever tried it... so, i guess I better just dive in! :)

The first FMQ I did was 20 years ago on a 750 Touch & Sew - many years before I even knew what FMQ was, or knew that a drop-in bobbin and slant needle added up to trouble. The quilting is actually pretty good - still holding in baby blankets that have been laundered a hundred times.

I took up quilting again about four year ago and I did the FMQ on my 401 - before I knew that it wasn't ideally suited for that kind of work.

I had a lot of skipped stitches and eyelashes, but I did learn how to move so that those were minimized. That's when I added a 15-91 to my small "herd" of machines. Huge difference! :)

But the 401 will be okay. Avoid those stacked up intersections and when you're drawing a loop or circle, sew slowly to avoide eyelashing. When you come to the point of an angle, pause at the point for a couple of stitches and then go up the other side of the angle.

My first quilts were flannel and some of the seam allowances were terribly skinny, so I sewed lines of decorative satin stitches in bright colors on every long seam. Like stitching in the ditch, but trying to keep it visible instead of making it as invisible as possible.

Have fun with your 401 and get to know her eccentricities and she'll do a good job for you. :)