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Got Steel?  Singer 301 - the Featherweight's Big Sister

10/26/2014

22 Comments

 
PictureSinger 301 Slant Needle "Featherweight"
Looking for a straight-stitch sewing machine?  Direct drive motor?  Steel gears?  

There are a number of phenomenal vintage Singer sewing machines that will fill the bill; 15-91, 15-125, 201-1, 404, and  604 to name a few.   

BUT, if you also want a lightweight portable, then the Singer 301 Slant Needle is the machine for you.  Especially if you love the Singer 221 Featherweight but want a full-size machine for larger projects.  In fact, the 301 is affectionately nicknamed "The Featherweight's Big Sister."


While it shares a number of features with the 221 Featherweight, the 301 is mechanically very different from the Featherweight.  

PictureFeatherweight-class bobbin
The 301 is the first of Singer's legendary steel-gear direct-drive slant-needle family.  Cast in lightweight aluminum, it's the only slant needle that doesn't have a rotary hook placed in front of the presser foot.  Instead, the 301 uses the same bobbin as the 221 Featherweight, which mounts beneath the platform to the left of the needle.

PictureSinger 301 "Trapezoid" carry case
The 301 has a flip-up sewing platform extension similar to the 221 Featherweight, and it was designed to be a portable sewing machine.  It has a built-in carry handle and was packaged in a distinctive trapezoid-shaped carrying case. 


Singer offered the 301 in two versions.  The "long bed" version had a longer flip-up table, similar in length to the smaller Featherweight.  The "short-bed" version had a shorter flip-up table conforming to the standard dimensions of the 201, 401, & 500.  
 
The long-bed was designed to be strictly portable, while the short-bed could be used as a portable or cabinet machine when paired with a special bracket. 

PictureCabinet cradle for Singer 301
Because it was intended to be portable, the 301 does not have hinge mounts.  Which presented a bit of a problem if you want to mount the machine in a conventional cabinet.  

Singer solved this problem by producing a funky cradle that clips onto the base of the 301.  The cradle has standard hinge mounts enabling the machine to be mounted into a Singer cabinet.



The machine releases from the cradle with the press of a lever, further enhancing it's status as the perfect portable. (See "Rock-a-bye Baby: Singer 301 Cabinet Cradle" for more details. )

Singer also produced a portable table for the 301, similar to the card-table for the 221 Featherweight.  But these tables are extremely rare, so happy hunting!

PictureLong Bed 301 in "Trapezoid" case
The 301 head weighs a mere 16 pounds, but the overall weight with foot control and motor is closer to 22 pounds. Significantly lighter than the 15-91, which is a cast-iron behemoth or even the 401 which is cast aluminum with a lot of internal steel components. 

When it comes to power, the 301 has the gear-driven chops to handle heavy fabrics but is gentle enough for fine dressmaking and quilting too.  It's a domestic machine with a .72 amp motor so it isn't meant for day-in, day-out heavy duty sewing but it will do the job beautifully on an occasional basis. 

The 301 also features a convenient drop-feed knob for darning or free motion work.  Buttonhole and zigzagger attachments are avaiable for additional creative design flexibility.  

So if you love the Featherweight but want a larger machine without belts, the 301 is the one for you!  Lightweight enough to carry to quilting classes but with heavy duty power for hemming jeans or tackling light upholstery jobs too. 

Got steel?  The 301 Slant Needle sure does!


HappySewing!
Barbara
OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most out of your old sewing gear.

Special thanks to readers David, Lisalu, and Ann for sharing experiences and research that led me to make significant revisions to this article in the interests of accuracy and clarity.
22 Comments
Bonnie Harcey
2/13/2014 12:00:50 am

Does the metal part installed in the case attach to the machine...why is it configured the way it is?
Is it possible to replace the edge trim? Thanks!

Reply
OldSewinGear
2/13/2014 02:46:23 am

Bonnie,
The metal clips inside the trapezoid style case hold the foot control, power cord, and an oil can. The machine just slides in and out.
I have a case that needs new edge trim and I'm going to try using small upholstery tacks to attach the new trim. The case is wood so I think this should work but I haven't tried it yet. (If any of our readers have firsthand experience, please share!)
Thanks for asking!
Barbara

Reply
OldSewinGear
2/13/2014 02:48:53 am

Forgot to mention there's a picture of the inside of the case on the Singer Accessories gallery page.

Marina Garcia
10/2/2018 10:31:47 am

Hi, where can I Find the accessories?

David
10/14/2014 04:18:37 am

I think you may be a bit mistaken about some of the model 301 history you've presented. From another web site I've learned that in Singer literature of the period the model 301 is shown in three variants. The 301-1 is the short bed version, and while intended to be mounted into a cabinet, it quickly becomes portable via the release of one lever. It also makes use of two separate cord attach points, one being the power cord, the other being the cord for the foot control. I have this model at home, and it's been in the family since purchased new in 1952. The 301-2 is the long bed version, and it's intended to be a strictly portable machine, so it came with a suitcase type affair to carry it and its accessories around in. It also makes use of a single cord attach point that performed double duty as power cord and foot control cord. And finally, the 301-3 was a version intended for school use only. The bottom line is the short bed version with the cabinet mounting device was not an afterthought in any sense of the word. The very first special edition machines off the line in 1951 were configured this way, and the very rare green cover instruction manual that came with them explains how to release them from their cabinets via the release lever. The other site shows a few photos of serial number 18, and it's a short bed version in black. It’s also worth mentioning that when the official release date of the model 301 came up in October of 1952, the ease with which the machine could go from cabinet to portable was prominently featured in all of the advertising. In short, Singer knew exactly what they were doing with these machines and was justifiably proud of their product.

Here's a link to that other site in case you'd like to look it over. As a 301 owner I really enjoyed it.

http://singer301.com/index.html

Reply
OldSewinGear
10/14/2014 02:34:02 pm

David,
Thank you for the information and amazing link. Learning the history of these amazing machines is an ever evolving process and I'm the first to admit that I don't know everything there is to know. I appreciate being set straight by savvy readers. Learning the full history makes me appreciate the versatility of the 301 more than ever. Looks like a revision of this article is in order...
Thank you again for sharing!
Barbara for OldSewinGear.

Reply
David
10/14/2014 03:39:21 pm

You're very welcome, Barbara. Based on the appreciation you have for these venerable old machines (which comes through clearly in your writing) I figured you'd get a kick out of that site. Having just recently rediscovered my families 301, I've been having a great time learning more about them, which has lead me to your site and others that are now added to my favorites list.

Patrice link
11/17/2014 11:12:41 am

I love these machines and have a black long bed. I learned to sew on a Singer 301 in the 60s. Very nice stitch and sews through anything! Thanks for introducing this great machine to everyone.

Reply
OldSewinGear
11/18/2014 01:55:57 pm

Thanks for sharing, Patrice. The 301 is definitely one of Singer's crowning achievements. The only black long-bed I've ever encountered was a beauty except someone had spilled acid on the sewing platform and corroded a hole right through the paint and into the metal. It was in an antique store and the seller was asking a ridiculous price for it. I tried to figure out a way it could be salvaged but couldn't see any hope for it. Very sad.
Barbara

Reply
Patrice link
11/19/2014 07:06:30 am

Mine is a bit scratched up along the back edge from the case most likely, but in great shape otherwise and running very nicely.

Here are some pictures: http://bypatrice.com/sewing/singer_301/

OldSewinGear
11/19/2014 07:37:21 am

Very nice, Patrice! Thank you for sharing. It's a lovely machine with a nice set of original accessories. Barbara

Reply
David
2/9/2015 02:43:47 pm

Hello. I grew up with my Mom making some of my clothes on a Singer 301 short-bed. She has the case as well as the folding table. I recently acquired another folding table with the cut-out for a long-bed. A person could cut out a small piece of plywood to fill in the difference and use a short-bed in this table. I'm actually looking to sell the table as I have no machine to use in it. I have several Singer 201's as well as others and a featherweight, so I have "enough" machines for now.

Reply
kim
3/3/2016 01:11:53 am

i have one for sale $200 9162130635

Reply
george wages
12/22/2016 05:21:48 am

love your information. I'm 70 now and sewed my first stich this year. I just became interested in sewing machines when I asked my wife if she could sew some heavy nylon webbing. she said her machines were possible to light duty. So I went to learning about sewing machines. I have learned the history of Necchi , Janome , White , and now working on Singer. And there are many more to study. I have also learned to work on them and fix or find out whats wrong with them. I have become addicted to good machines and buy all I find at thrift store yard sales and local post on Facebook etc. I have even got some great deals on Ebay despite shipping cost. I missed my calling in life. but its never to late. My poor Wife is befuddled ! Just yesterday she asked...When are you going to have enough sewing machine's ? I had to laugh. Maybe never, I havent started on the commerical duty machines yet ! lol. I want to thank you for the information you posted. Truly enjoyed it plus learn things I really needed to know

Reply
Lisa
12/28/2017 04:07:16 pm

ARRRGGHHH! I just obtained my second 301. I already had the black short-bed installed in the Art Deco style cabinet. Love the machine AND the cabinet! Then I came across a beige short-bed in the trapezoid case. It is just too cool. I could (theoretically) take it anywhere. But really, I have too many sewing machines and should sell one of these. But which???

Reply
Mollie Todhunter
3/11/2018 12:08:58 am

Loved the article & information here! About 10 years ago, I acquired the 301a shortbed in a cabinet with the cradle that makes it portable. I was so surprised to see that it was portable with the flip of a lever! It hadn't sold at a neighbor's yard sale & she offered it to me for $10. I didn't need it or really have room for the desk it came in but couldn't walk away without it. When I got it home, I found it had 2 original instruction manuals, (one for the machine, the other for attachments), & all the attachments! It also had 19 bobbins that didn't seem to fit. I took it to the repair shop & discovered they were Pfaff bobbins that fit a machine I already had.😅They had the correct bobbins in stock & for a few dollars, I was all set. That machine sews like a champ & what a bargain.

Reply
Colleen Sims
4/27/2018 05:23:39 pm

I have 3 301s, two with cases. One case really needs to be refurbished. I have looked on line and found no instructions thus far on how best to approach refurbishing with the intent of improving the strength of the case as well as it's appearance. Do you have any reference sources for a project like this?

Reply
Teresa RAwlins
10/3/2019 11:51:20 am

I just acquired a 301a with the cabinet, awesome machine. Does the cradle need to be taken out of the cabinet for the machine to be “tucked” away when not in use?

Reply
Tre'
12/22/2019 03:28:51 pm

The cradle allows the 301 to be mounted in a cabinet. Once the cradle is mounted into the cabinet the machine slips into the cradle and can be lowered when not in use just like any cabinet mounted machine. With the machine up, the machine can be released from the cradle and be used as a portable. With the machine freed from the cradle the cradle does not need t be lowered for the lid to be closed.

Reply
George Wages
12/23/2019 03:38:49 pm

Never get tired of reading and re-reading the article's

Reply
Lori
2/22/2020 08:15:11 am

Love my collection of vintage sewing machine. I snagged the 301 card table and have been using it as bait ever since. However, a 301 for me continues to allude me. They are out there and it's not due to a lack of trying. Ao my hunt continues.

Reply
Pam Kish
9/26/2021 08:36:27 pm

A repair shop in Wakarusa, Indiana has a 301 for sale if you’re still interested in getting one.

Reply



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