This is my Betty Boop. All I have is what you can see.
Do you think it is worth buying cams for her and the book or just better to look at her? I bought her at a sale and she has been sitting for a year. I am not familiar with her abilities.

Debbie use this girl!! The cams are easy to find, and they sew like a dream!!

My mom has one just like her for sale in central Florida if anyone is interested. It has everything. I love this machine, It is a true workhourse. USE IT.

I have one at our place in Texas and love it.
I thought I saw someone here selling the cams lately and don't think anyone bought them. Check ebay also

Beautiful, I think you should whatever you need for it and use it.

Yeah....now I'm excited about her again. I heard they were workhorses. OK going to the classified to see if they sold or not and then to ebay. A few things at a time. This is good advice.....use it.....OK :):)

Debbie, she is a beauty.

I have the manual. I'll be glad to copy it and send it to you. Let me know.

I bought mine in 1961 after I graduated from high school. It has made clothing for me and my children, doll clothes, crafts of all kinds and lots of quilts. Still going strong. I had it serviced this past summer and the dealer said they don't make good machines like that any more.

That is good to know. I am so glad I finally posted this. I was embarrassed at first because I did not know about her. Guess it's time to do the research.

there is one on Indianapolis Craig's List too

Debbie - use your 401! If you need cams I know someone who has oodles of them for sale. Let me know & I will put you in contact with her.

Good deal. If she is a Qb'er let her pm me if not give her my email. Do you still have it? Thank you.

Leiladylei54 in HOnolulu may have her original cabinet for me. So exciting.

Thank you QC. :thumbup:

Maybe someone here will see it up there and go get it. I am always looking for machines no matter how old.

Debbie, use it. Even without cams it has straight stitch, zig zag and some built in stitches right? It is awesome for piecing, paper piecing, quilting, putting on binding etc. Once you start you might not want another machine. I don't use the cams but if you can pick them up inexpensive I would if I were you.You should be able to find the manual online and print it off. I would get a 1/4 inch foot for it and others like walking foot and free motion foot. What else does a quiter need? The only bad thing is that thing ever heavy.

The 401A is considered by many to be the best machine Singer made. I believe it is the best ZIGZAG machine they made. I love the whole 400 series of machines. I don't garment sew and had no need for my 401 or my 403 and sold them. I kept my 404 straight stitcher though.

I have some slant feet around here somewhere. If you are interested in them, I'll make you a good deal, I believe I even have a vintage Singer slant shank walking foot. The 401 has all the stitches built in, you shouldn't need any cams.

The 401 uses the built-in cam stack for zig zag and some of its decorative stitches. There are additional decorative stitches available, but require additional, external cams.

This site has some great information about the 400 series of machines:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

Here is a comparative list of the stitches that the 401 & 403 machines can make. (note: the 403 uses only the external cams)
http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w...atterns401.jpg

I have this same list Debbie. I used it to get the rest of the set for my 403. If you want, PM me the cam numbers you do not have. I will get in touch with the gal & get her pricing & contact info for you.

I have this same machine! I really need to spend some time sewing on her.. I have a ton of feet! I will check to see if I have any duplicates. I have the toughest time with the tension and breaking thread with her. I know it is me, just not used to having to adjust it like I do with her.

I want one!!

I sent you a pm

here is info for fixing a sewing machine up.
There is info on fixing the tension on the repair manual
you can print it out.
This one was VERY helpful to me. I had a machine that was giving me fits. The machine was not the same but the tensions aren't all that different. http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...achine_manual/

How very nice Debbie!

I love mine ~ it was my mother's but I sewed most of my own clothes on it too.

Great machine!!

Here is your link to free manual:
http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...e-manuals.html


just scroll down to 401.

Have fun playing with your built in decorative stitches.

Learn to use her. You will love how she sews.

The Slant-o-matic series are all good. That includes the 401, 403, 404, 500, 503 and some other odd 400s. I like the 403 and the 503 because you can get a lot of width adjustment and it is easier to maintain the machines.

I bought a 401 about 6 months ago and I use her every day. Today she sewed miles of binding without complaint. I don't have cams but I use the built in stitches. She does a beautiful zig zag.

Thanks for sharing this with me. Love your baby too. Twins...and yes she is heavy. Definitely not a class machine to haul around.

Thanks so much. Sent you a PM.

Got it. I'll print it tomorrow so I can use it for reference also. Thank you QC

Candace, maybe you will get one????? :thumbup:

Thank you so much. Everyone has been so great in sharing and helping me with her. What a great qb

Congratulations on your "new" machine debbie. How fun!

LOL. She has been around a while. Now the fun begins.

Thanks for the comment Matilda - looking for my pattern soon. Appreciate it.

I agree with Janice. I't well worth finding the manual and enjoying using this great machine LOL

I have the 401, and it is one fine machine. And yes, it is a work horse. You can download the 401 manual online, but of course it is nice to have the manual if you can get it. You can sometimes find the manual on E-bay, but a decent one runs $25.00 and up.
Here is one for $29.00:

http://www.ebay.com:80/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150675862827&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:WNARL:US:1123

Beautiful

I have one just like her....born the same year I was...1951. My other machine was in the shop a few weeks back and I pieced a whole king size top on my "old girl". My mother used to make our clothes on mine. What a work-horse!

Deb, definitely purchase the cams for this little jewel. They sew beautifully.

I use a 401-A just like this to sew with my students in my classroom. I don't use the cams, but we do straight stitching only!

I have one and have never gotten around to using the cams. The machine has so many built in stitches, I never found the need for cams. I love my 401. I also have 2 500's and I love these too. they will do whatever you throw at them. Have fun with your baby.