I Played, Then I Paid!
 

An estate sale for a designer was postponed until today. I thought Ok lots of fabric. I knew there was a sewing machine for sale but figured it was outrageously priced and would be gone when I got there. The sale began at 7:00 a.m. I didn't get there until almost 9:30 a.m. Just wandered around and saw a lot of people I knew and stuff. Then I walked into the designer's sewing room. A Singer 401A Slant-O-Matic in a cabinet. $200.00. I always carry a Layer Cake in my purse just in case. The sale mgr said to go ahead and work it. I had never worked a 401 before. It came with all attachments and bobbins. Another gal gave me some tips and I played then I paid. I got it for $150.00. The sale mgr is going to deliver it to me after the sale since she lives in the area as I do. This cabinet is in great shape and the machine looks brand new. I've been re-organizing my sewing room some what to make room for my new baby. Will post (try to) after it's been set up. I really thought the machine would have been sold by the time I got there but it was just waiting for me. I am ecstatic. It probably is more machine than I need but for the price and the cabinet. Have not looked at all the feet but there's a lot. Again will try to post photos later. I also have to take back what I said about sewing machine deals down here. I found one. Yayyyyyyyyyy meeeee!

Well, what fun! I'd say you did good. It sounds like it really was waiting for you.

Dina

Way to go, Girlfriend! Those 400 machines are awesome. I have the straight stitching 404. It still makes a beautiful stitch. Mine was bought in 1962.

P.S. What a great idea to travel with fabric in your bag!:thumbup:

Congratulations!

What an exciting find!

Good for you! You're gonna love it! I use mine all the time.

Great score! Made me laugh to think of a non-quilting reading that you "always carry a Layer Cake in my purse just in case..." Good idea though.

Great for you. Did you buy anything else? When ever I am going to sales or garage sales, I have a little kit in my bag with fabric, thread and a sewing machine needle. You never know when a machine will call to you. And maybe if it is not sewing well, you can get them to discount the price.

Congrats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!! You are going to love this machine! I have one and after cleaning it up and oiling it, I fell in LOVE with it! I put my expensive Viking away and will probably never use it again. It does everything I ask it to do and powers through all thickness of fabric.

You are going to love your new toy! I have one, purchased in 1958, that I use all the time. It has all metal parts and is a virtual tank, sewing over thick fabrics, etc. I have all the cams and attachments as well. Enjoy. Furthermore, you can do almost anything on this machine that many of the newer ones do if you are patient and follow the directions.

Congratultions on your new baby. may you alway's make great thing that you both will love.

can't wait to see it. I am not familiar with this machine. (not a surprise as I am a newbie)
had to laugh at "I always carry a Layer cake in my purse"

I bought mine 401A brand new in 1958, it has been a work horse for me. Have sewed everything from silk to leather on her. you got a good buy enjoy.. post a picture for us.

I had a 401A and loved it but have way too many machines, I sold it to mt Niece for $60.00, it was in a a great cabinet and had all the cams. I don't think She has ever used it yet. I could have gotten more out of mine but sold to family. You got a good machine there.

Congrats can't wait to see pics.

Congrats. I have the one my mother bought in 1957. I haven't used it much, but all the high praise above makes me want to sew on it. I do know it is a fabulous machine. So happy for you and I think you got a good deal.

I bought one a few years ago, paid $35 for it and it is like brand new. Love it.

oh...you're going to love it! I've been sewing on a 403A for over 42 years and it's still going strong. Those machines were built to last!

Congratulations on your great find. I believe it was just waiting for you to take it home.

Good score....very happy for you!

Great deal!!

Congrats on your new baby and thanks so much for the layer cake & acc in purse. I'm going to do just that as I go to the few Estate sales they have around here.

Congratulations on finding that machine waiting for you. You will love it. I have a 401A that a friend asked me to store for her. I figured I would fix it up while I stored it so I could use it. It wasn't in very good shape when I got it, I had to have it serviced and I had to add a new power cord, but it was worth it. The machine works great now. A nice addition to my sewing room.

WoooooHoooo! Great find!

Congrats on your great find! Happy sewing!

Congratulation , awesome score

Congrats I bought a 403 Special slant-o-matic in 1959 Just love it ( in a cabinet.) bought a 401 for $10 at an estate sale paid $89 to have it serviced. they both work wonderful. This one is a portable.

I also bought mine new in 1958 and it has traveled with me to the far East twice and from coast to coast and in between as I followed my Army DH for 25 years. I still use it as my #1 even though I have bought others that make stitches the 401A does not make. I would never part with it. She still looks and sews as good as the day I bought her and she has a lot of miles on her. I know you will enjoy yours. Have fun.

Wow you did great. I need a few good sales like that one. Have fun. Enjoy it!!!!

Great find! I LOVE that you carry a layer cake around! Now I don't feel (too) weird for carrying charm packs in my purse! :p

We probably won't hear from you for a while, you'll be playing with your new machine! Congratulations on the great find.

I bought a 401A in 1959 and still have it and use it regularly and I would not trade it for anything else I can think of. I also have and love my Bernina machines but that Singer-no way. I also thing you got a great deal where it has a cabinet. I have the cherry desk cabinet with mine and it is so comfortable to use. Have fun and I know you will love it.

Great Machine! There is a vintage Singer yahoo group that has all sorts of hints and info on it. I own two.

What a wonderful day for you!

And what a great idea to carry fabric and an emergency sewing machine with you. I will have to put one together for my purse!

I received a Singer 401 Slant O Matic for Christmas last year and I love it. There's an antique shop in town that caters to women and has lots of old sewing machines. The woman is very picky in what she buys. She travels 8 hours to have them gone completely through and fixed up as good as new. I stop in once a month and drool. She usually carries 301s and 401s and Kenmores and Elnas. She has some I've never heard of, but she doesn't carry Featherweights for some reason. She said the 301 was as good as a Featherweight and almost as light. I almost bought it, but this 401 came with so many feet and the original manual and lots of the original things. I love it. But, I was going to use it for classes and it's still too heavy. I need that 301.

It sewed through 4 layers of denim. That was the layer cake. Sewed then sold! Dh mended the bottom of his denim jacket yesterday morning. I woke up to a buzzing sound. He said I did good. Like I didn't know. LOL!

My 401 had everything the manual said it was suppose to have and I've tried all the feet and special discs (5). Prettiest stitches I've seen in a long time.

I inherited my mother's Singer 500 Slant-O-Matic when she passed. I first learned to sew on that machine in 1961. Your post brought back memories of the amazing things that were made on that machine ... prom dresses, wedding dresses, baby blankets, school clothes, etc. I need to get it to the repair shop and have it serviced and start using it again.

It was all meant to be...can't wait to see the pretty things you make with your new machine!!!!!