This was my first machine which I bought new in 1961, when my first daughter was born, she has made baby clothes, school clothes, banduniforms, cheerleader suits, prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses, just to name a few. Still have her along with my Babylock Ellisomo, featherweight, Bernina, and my mother's Singer treadle. I have to say, she has more wear than all the rest!!! She's a keeper!!!!! :thumbup:

This is my favorite machine of all the ones I have had. Bought it new in 1956 (I think) and used it almost daily till 1984 when hubby talked me into trading. Have regretted letting it go ever since and would love to have another! You will love it!

My mom has that same machine. I love it. Will try to talk her out of it someday (when I have someplace to put it). She made so many dresses for my sister and me, mending for my brother and dad. My sister and I did our 4H sewing on that work horse. Enjoy!

Congrats on your new baby! :)

Could kick myself. I picked up one of these babies at a local firehouse garage sale for $25. She sewed great but I really didn't have room for her so I sold it to a guild member for what I paid for it and she gave it to her DD. Oh well, at least someone is getting some good use from it. May in Jersey

I love reading all of the stories posted here. I did receive a pdf file with the manual so all I have to do is print a few pages at a time. I'll look up her info from her serial number and see what her story is. I used to know. Thanks everyone.

How cool Debbie! I bought ours from patdesign here on the QB. It had every kind of attachment and accessory and sews like a dream. A vintage machine of this quality is a treasure for sure, so congratulations! I'm now drooling over Rocketeers. That said - for quilting you don't really need the cams.

These are wonderful machines. I have 2! Have fun sewing with her.

Pat

[quote=The 401 has all the stitches built in, you shouldn't need any cams.[/quote]

The 401A has the stitches built into the dials at the top. (Life the hinged 'lid' above the selection knob)
It's the 301 that uses cams for different stitches & buttonholes.
I sold my 301 but use my 401A all the time. Love it.

[quote=postal packin' mama]The 401 can do some stitches in addition to the built in cam stack one, with the use of the separate additional stitch cams.

[quote=QuiltnCowgirl]Where are you saying additional cams can be used on
the 401A? The 403 apparently can use them, as shown
on the illustration in your posting (nice job getting that
to scan into a posting, BTW), but where are you referring to on the 401?? Thanks.

lol Sorry - didn't mean to make things more confusing. Let me to explain it this way:

On the left side of the diagram, which is for the 401, where ever it shows the "Selector Patterns" knob, those are the built-in stitches & dial settings. (Example: Zig zag, Ball, Domino) Where it shows "Special Fashion Discs" & "Fashion Discs", those are the individual discs that can be purchased and used to do the stitches not available with the built-ins. (Example: disc 11 ribbon stitch, disc 1 arrowhead stitch, disc 5 banner stitch, disc 21 chevron).

Okay, but I was wondering where those additional discs/cams were inserted on the 401A? (not being argumentive at all, just asking for clarification cuz
I didn't know about them. Thanks!)
It's just amazing what can be learned from this board.

I have one in my garage just waiting to be cleaned up! I've read only wonderful things about these machines!

The cams are not necessary for straight stitching, zigzag or a few ohter built in stitches just use the dials.
It is a true workhorse- I have had mine since 1960!

No problem! :D
Take a look at the picture of Debbie's machine on page 1. See on the very top of the machine where the 2 bobbin spools are? That is a compartment lid that opens up. Here's a couple of pictures I found online:

i have a 1951 403 and i love it. it will sew through anything you put before it. the cams are worth it also. there are many and all different kinds of accent or decorative stitches. you will love it and i think you can get a manuel free from the singer site. use her, she will not dissapoint you

Get the cams and the book and then use this machine to death! Likely it will outlast you. Mine is 53 years old and has been to hospital only once when the rubber roller to wind the bobbin disintegrated. Love, love, love it.

Well, color me BLUSH -- I've that 401A for decades (it was my Mom's) and never used that feature -- didn't really notice it, probably. Wow! Thanks for this posting and your patience, too.
The 401A is indeed a wonderful machine.
A Singer service guy told me to never give up that one cuz
it's the last one made with all metal components.

Betty Boop is a fiesty little gal. Go to work. hehehe

My father worked for Singer many years ago, and gave me one of these I think it was for high school graduation - best Singer made! I LOVED this machine! Years later he sent me a Singer Futura and I sold the 401-A. Big mistake. Futura was a headache. I've since switched to Bernina and love my Bernina 440QE, but have fond memories of this Singer.

Get the book and sew on it. Really make quilts. Ha! It is just like
the one my mother had. My sisters GD has it now. I have several
machines already.

Glad QC found those pictures. I was going to take a picture of my top. This machine is so clean too. I have her in the living room checking her out. She is a 1951 Elisabth, NJ.

I read all the pages again and may have to print them all for the great info. Today I rec'd a manual pdf file and then ordered some wonderful feet from Mitch's mom. Have to see which one's I still need. Or and she is sending me an accessories case too.

I'm going to get used to her before ordering cams. I am thinking I need to have at least some of them to experience all she can do. And still waiting to hear from Hawaii on a case made for her. I'll keep checking here often. Hope I can ask questions here once I start using her.

Have to be honest here, I am having a retreat next week for Qb members, 13 of us....so will have to do it after. Have to get ready for it. Might take it to the retreat for all of us to play with. Might have help there.

Lucky you to have "Betty". Defintely use her!

And to think she has been sitting here a while...just looking cute. Well, this is what arrived today to get me going on her. Ordered from Mitch's Mom.

She had extra feet and threw in the accessories box for me. And the button holer came with the deal. So I'm getting started at least. I will put the feet attachments in my little book and that way when I find others, I know what I have.

Woohoo, I just got one today too:>

It looks like the one my grandma sewed on.

I have a 401A too, and i love it.

I have had mine for almost 50 yrs. and it is still running and I would not part with it.

Hey Debbie-
I just had to come & look at it again. It looks just like mine.
Can your DH cut a rectangle in one of his lifters for it to sit in? Would you like me to post the link to the pictures of mine?

Hey Debbie-
I just had to come & look at it again. It looks just like mine.
Can your DH cut a rectangle in one of his lifters for it to sit in? Would you like me to post the link to the pictures of mine? I love you nameing her Betty Boop. I guess I'm rambling again. I think that I can actually go to sleep early tonight!!!

Debbie, I just seen this post, and you got the best SM ever and to give her that name is awesome. And that she has been with you all this time. That's my sm big sister, my 401A was allotted in '56. My mom purchased her in '63 brand new off the dealers floor. I've had her all those 40 some years. I've lost the manual and the professonial buttonholer in the many movers that I have encurred, but my baby is still with me. I don't sew on her enough but she still good to me. She has made baby clothes, wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses, baptism dresses, quilt tops, and recently SID on crib quilts. Remember the fact that it has the built-in cams. Happy sewing on my namesake.

Use this baby, they are amazing. Mine is my go to machine for quilting and just about every thing else that I do. I have a viking designer machine and I still perfer My 401. If she has been sitting for a year I would recommend a service. The manual you can download for free from Ismac's site. Even through I have an original manual I downloaded the free manual for binder much easier to read. Larger print!

I bought mine in 1958 and she's still going strong; has been to the hospital for one minor repair only. She is easy to maintain, the cams are easy to use, and she is a real work horse. You'll love her but she weighs a ton, so don't plan to take her to class with you. She will do anything the newer expensive machines will do except monogram. Have fun with her.

I have a 503 that I bought 48 yrs ago and it still works like a top. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Dorothy

you really need the manual - I did figure a lot out with out one but it is so much better if you have the manual for the fancy stitches. look on Ismacs for one.