My maternal grandmother had a Singer 401 in an oh-so-50's blonde cabinet, and that machine ROCKED. My mom inherited it when Grandma died, but it and my great-aunt's Singer 301 (which I'd been using) were destroyed in a fire about 8 years ago. My heart is no longer broken, but still pretty bruised over that.

Right now Mom's got my other grandmother's Singer 601. It doesn't have quite the same "family piece" quality, because that grandma didn't sew nearly as much as the other, but it was still hers and we still enjoy having it.

I don't remember much about either one of my grandmothers. They both died when I was young. My mother sewed and quilted by hand till 1957 and she married my stepfather and he bought her a used Featherweight. We made all our clothes on there, and she pieced her quilts on there till she passed away in 2004, at the age of 93. I have it now..plus a white featherweight I got at a garage sale several years ago for $25. They both are in great shape and I keep them serviced. Love to sew on both of them..

Grandma Nelson's machine

I am flying home tomorrow to see family. My sister has my mother's Singer treadle and Singer electric. I don't know the models but will take pictures of them. The treadle is mine, but it is too big and heavy to ship across Canada.