Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

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03-31-2011, 09:30 AM

#13291

lkwon

Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Toronto, Canada

Posts: 9

It's a short bed 301.

eta - solid tan colour only

03-31-2011, 09:52 AM

#13292

chris_quilts

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: leavenworth, ks

Posts: 3,093

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkwon

It's a short bed 301.

eta - solid tan colour only

That's a good price. I would buy it.

03-31-2011, 10:05 AM

#13293

purplefiend

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Round Rock,Texas

Posts: 6,135

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkwon

I am stuck in the land of indecision. I am a new sewer. I am looking at buying either a Singer 301 or Singer 401. They are both in OK condition (they sew but will need to be cleaned etc) and they are both around $125. I can't afford to buy both.

Please help me decide: which would you choose and why?

If you want a zig zag machine go for the 401, its a great machine. The 301 is a wonderful machine too, only does straight stitch.

03-31-2011, 10:06 AM

#13294

purplefiend

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Round Rock,Texas

Posts: 6,135

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabbagepatchkid

Gorgeous, gorgeous 7 drawer treadle cabinet (plus machine) for $150 in Mansfield, MA if anyone is interested. We are supposed to get a snow storm :shock: tomorrow or I would be on the road to go get it (I need another cabinet like a need a hole in the head).

http://providence.craigslist.org/fuo/2282594393.html

Its too bad that they don't show the machine too! That cabinet is gorgeous!

03-31-2011, 10:22 AM

#13295

irishrose

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Cadillac, MI

Posts: 6,487

lkwon, I quilt on a 301 at home, but have used a 401 at a quilt guild. I didn't see much difference except theirs needs a light and some oil. Do you have another machine with a zigzig? That might be a deciding factor. It is a handy feature for some non quilting operations.

03-31-2011, 10:27 AM

#13296

lkwon

Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Toronto, Canada

Posts: 9

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishrose

yes, I do have another machine with a zigzag. I think that's part of what makes this so difficult.

the 301 is more portable, so I'm leaning towards it. There's just something about the 401, though...

03-31-2011, 11:33 AM

#13297

Miz Johnny

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Lexington, KY

Posts: 1,222

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkwon

The 301 is straight stitch, small, light weight and very portable. The 401 has multiple stitches and is heavy--a stationary machine. It depends on the sewing you do. If you want it for piecing, the 301 is the way to go. For all types of sewing, the 401 is a better machine. For the record, the 401 was a much higher priced machine when purchased new.

03-31-2011, 12:24 PM

#13298

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

My 301 is still going "click click click" at the needle plate. I have taken the bobbin carrier out a couple of times to be sure it is in right, wiggled it around, still get the "click click". I'll try oiling it some more, and I do need to take out the whole bobbin assembly and clean it really well, because the tension keeps creeping tighter.

did you put the bobbin case base finger back between the throat plate springs? Is the needle in with the flat to the left and threaded right to left?

Yes to both. It is sewing, it just makes a little clicking sound.

03-31-2011, 12:37 PM

#13299

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

Question!!! For my 1917 Western Electric machine, I know it takes Greist attachments, but how do I tell which ones? I have been looking at a bunch of them, and they all look the same on the "attaching end". Are they interchangeable, or what do I need to look for? Thanks!!

OK....asking this same question again. My machine is on the way. I would like to get the attachments too. Thanks!!

03-31-2011, 12:59 PM

#13300

BoJangles

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Rescue, California

Posts: 4,585

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkwon

Doesn't the 401 take cams? If you want a machine to take to classes the 301 is the better choice, much lighter. The 301 is complete - it only does a straight stitch - forward and reverse. The 401 (I am sure) takes cams, so you will need to get the cams with the machine in order to use the machine. Anyone else want to jump in? The cam thing might be the deciding factor for me -- depending on what I wanted to do. I love my 503, but it will not sew at all without a cam!

Nancy