Singer 301??
 

I recently bought a 221 Featherweight and LOVE it..but the throat (?) area is to small as my quilt top grows..wondering if the Singer 301 might be a good step up for quilting my lap size quilts and bigger, tops..won't "quilt" on it..just sew the pieces and rows to complete the tops..
another Singer I was considering is the 201 but awful heavy for retreats and going to quilt groups.???
Do you or a friend own one? thoughts on how it performs? Problems?
What is a fair price for one in really good condition?
thanx for any input..
Carla/OR

Ihave one and I like to use it for piecing. It is a super machine, it does not walk all over he table it is a very stable sewing machine. I paid $125.00 for it. I hope you enjoy this machine. I also have featherweight machines, it is fun to use them And they are super for taking to retreats and classes.

Don't have one yet myself - read YET. While I believe it has a larger throat/harp, I don't know that you will gain that much with a 301 vs FW. Those that own both will jump in soon, I'm sure. I don't know that I'd have a problem stitching my tops, regardless of size, on my FW. Then again, I've only done baby/lap quilt tops on my FW.n But I WANT a 301 anyhow!

OHSTR Do you find there is much difference in the throat area between the two..??
I have read the 301 is a FULL SIZE machine? Don't need alot more space than the 221,but a bit would help?
Also love the idea of a handle on it..

I am a big fan of the 301s, I own quite a few. The throat space is 7 1/2inches which is really not too shabby. The 301 has a knob that lowers your feed dogs so you may free motion quilt. I am not an expert at FMQ but I find that I do not have as much "eye lashing" and issues with the vertical bobbin which the 301 has. These are very sturdy machines with the same beautiful stitches that the 221 has. The 301 has gears instead of the belt and the motor is much stronger. I love that it is almost impossible to throw off the timing. You do not need to get service, just oil and grease. They are not at all fussy about thread and you don't need to worry about surge protection-no motherboard. The only drawback is that awful button controller-same as the featherweight. I find it terrible uncomfortable at retreat or extended sewing. Two of mine have updated foot controllers, just remove cord from button controller and wire it to just about any controller that you find/ want.i would rather sew on my 301 than my Janome 6600. I think the tension and stitching is exceptional. Everything is so solid, no plastic.It seems that I can maintaina really consistent seam allowance. I believe that is also why everyone loves their featherweights. If you decide to purchase one,here's a few pointers.
I have purchased 301s in Singer desks for as little as$50- prices vary a lot ! The originals in cases are more expensive.Watch craigslist to avoid shipping. Make sure bobbin case is in machine-these are the same ones used by the featherweight and the originals are the best but Expensive- more than buying the machine sometimes. The presser feet are slant shank. Featherweight feet will not fit.

SewNSewSue, thank you so much for all the great info..I did bid on the one on ebay..it is kinda expensive BUT I am particular about the LOOK of the machine,so will pay for it..my machines are most likely ones I will keep the rest of my life and I take good care of them.
Not sure what you mean by "button controlle",do you mean the foot control button..? I really prefer the one on my Featherweight to my Brother Quattro..easier on my bursitis in my hip..
again, many thanx for your post full of great info..think I will like the slant needle..

I have gotten several 301s on Ebay, never paid over $75 for them. They needed a little cleaning, some new feet on the bottom and Boom! Wonderful machines@

I believe they are considered a 3/4 size rather than "full size" machine. I'll let the more seasoned vintage people correct me, if I'm wrong. I have both the FW & 301a machines and absolutely LOVE the 301A. It's the "big sister" to the FW and usually can be had for a lot less $ than the FW. Mine (I have 2) are dependable, workhorse machines. Great for dropping the feedogs and fmq. Easy to maintain. I've quilted queen size quilts on mine. Good luck in you bidding!

I much prefer my 301 over my FW. One of the main reasons is the slant needle, which makes the stitching action so visible. I recently sewed on a nice new modern machine and noticed that it and others have the needle tucked back so far that I almost have to stand on my head to see it.

I love my 301. The feed dogs are narrow, and I understand that there is no walking foot specifically made for them, but I have a slant needle walking foot that operates perfectly on it.

Prices vary. I got lucky and found mine for $20 at a garage sale. Her name is Sissy (big sister to FW). My second one was purchased at the estate sale of a sewing machine repair man. It was $25 or $30. It worked fine, but had been stored in a shed and was extremely dirty. I cleaned it up and eventually gave it to the neighbor girls who sew with me. That one is named Missy.

As far as weight goes, the 301 is a few pounds heavier than a FW, but still light enough to be ideal for carrying to classes.

I have 2-FW's and 2-301's, and yes the 301 has a wider quilting space. They both use the same bobbins but the feet are not interchangeable. Have not done any FM quilting with either machines as I have a LA and only do straight line quilting with my vintage machines (placemats & small projects, etc.). FW are a lot more exensive than 301. Paid $35.00 for one and $50.00 for the other 301.

I turn the foot control around so the button is in the back and rest my foot on the platform. Works better for me.

Might try that idea :thumbup:

I don't remember exactly where I got the walking foot -- probably an estate or garage sale. It is a Singer brand and probably made for a later slant machine.

I have a 301 and a 301A (longer bed). I have a walking foot for each of them for the quilting part of creating the quilt. I love them. The quilt I posted on the pictures this week was completely done on the 301A, pieced, machine quilted and binding sewed on. I hand sew the binding for the last part and do some hand quilting on areas of the quilt. But for the most part, done on "Ivory". My black 301 "Ebony" has a shorter bed but I have quilted at least 5 quilts on her. They are all regular or queen size quilts. I bought her on ebay for $120.00 and the date on her was 1952. But I sure wouldn't get ride of my 221 Featherweight, she does a great job on quilt piecing and smaller quilts. Hope this helps. Also, Sew Classic has great walking feet for our older sewing machines and she is very reasonable also.

I use my Featherweight for all my piecing and have had no problem piecing king size quilt tops. I do all my quilting on a Bernina. Although I have a walking foot, I would not try quilting even a baby quilt on my Featherweight. Sorry, I don't know about the 301.

ok,I just bought it on ebay...can't wait for it to get here so I can "play" on my new/used machine..
C

You will love it! I bought my first one on ebay for way too much money. It was a long bed black. Then I found one on Craigslist with original attachments and trapezoid case. That was a mocha long bed. Then another black shortbed. And a mocha shortbed in desk with knee control. Another long bed mocha in carry case. The last one was another black shortbed in Singer 65 walnut table. I am still on lookout for the two tone shortbed. Would love to find one to round out my collection. Sew classic sells slant feet,oil grease and walking feet. Make sure you download a manual. These machines NEED to have their motors lubricated. The new recommendation is to use Vaseline, as the new Singer lubricant has too high a melting point. I just bought a syringe from Sew Classic to use for that. It has a curved tip to make it easier to get into little hole. I hope you love your machine! Love it back with frequent oiling and some grease!

My AnnieRose does a fantastic job both piecing and FMQ. It is a full size machine, just made of aluminum so it's lighter than a steel machine. 17 pounds isn't very heavy. I can't sew unless my machine is flush with the desk so I had to modify a Sears cabinet for her. I personally wouldn't try to FMQ with a FW, but I don't have one so I may not know what I'm talking about.

where do I access SEW CLASSIC, ebay, web??
Thanx for making me more comfortable..I have heard so many who bought theirs for under $100, mine was WAY more than that but I think it is in MINT condition..
You must LOVE them to have so many ..I recently bought a Singer FW 221 and love it but not enuf throat space some some projects..a fella I know recommended the 301 over the 201 I think it was, because the 201 weights about 30lbs and wanted one for retreats and weekly group quilt days..

I have a FW but no one I know does FMQ on theirs..with the 301 I am not restricted at all on what I can do..

Sew-classic.com. Their shipping is really reasonable and they carry a lot of the little things that you might want. I have heard that they make sure that the walking feet really do work on your machine. Other forums report people who say their feet keep falling off. I do not use mine with walking foot so cannot verify. I just purchased a zipper foot as the old ones are only right or left! I only have the right one. I also belong to a vintage sewing machine group on yahoo and they highly recommend TriFlow lubricant and their grease as well. I do use the oil,must be shaken before use to suspend the Teflon in it. I'm not sure special oil is necessary when these 60+ machines have performed so well with good old sewing machine oil! So have fun with yours. Another thing I have noticed with most of mine is that there is either thread in bobbin case or the "finger" on the case is not in position when i first received them. It will not pick up bobbin thread in these instances or handwheel will not turn. If you paid a good amount, it is probably ok as someone knew what it was and checked it. I think only one of mine was ready to sew when I got it. So don't panic if something isn't perfect there. Again, good luck and enjoy!

http://www.sew-classic.com/ and the walking feet work on my Featherweight and then there is another one for the slanted 301 and 301A. I ordered them from them and a lot of feet and belts and even a motor from her for another 99 machine. She is fast and I had all that I ordered within a week.

The A on a 301A denotes that it was manufactured in Andersonville, not it's configuration. AnnieRose is a 301A and she's a mocha shortbed. Her back up, ErinRose, is a mocha long bed and I wish she was a shortbed so she would fit in the cabinet.

I sorta took care of that problem(short bed/long bed), I first bought a black 301 off ebay Sunday , a short bed BEFORE I knew there were long beds..so then the NEXT day this gorgeous tan long bed shows up for an irrestitable BUY NOW price, so it gets to me tomorrow..THEN........I have been watching Craig's list for a second cabinet for my "new to me machines", this morning I found a HORN cabinet for $60!!!! I told the lady selling it she was GIVING it away, she said she knew that but 10 yr ago she bought it at an estate sale-so had her $$ out of it and just wanted it gone..Looks brand new!!!so it is now sitting in my quilting room waiting for my black or tan 301..(one of them will stay in my trolley for my weekly quilting trips/retreats):sew:. Christmas came early to this girls house!!!!Now have a 221 Featherweight, a Brother Quattro plus my two 301's..I already have them named, Featherweight is *Precious*..my 301 is *Velvet*(like Black Velvet), not sure on tan 301 name..maybe *Sewfe*(name borrowed from another quilter)but no room in our family room..WooHoo! it's all about priorities,right?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]469049[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]469048[/ATTACH]my "new to me" $60 Horn cabinet..see why I was thrilled to get it for that $, not a scratch on it..lift works great..