Yay!!! I love the look of the black long bed version, it's so classy looking. I feel like taking the tension assembly apart is only scary the first go around. Just be sure you keep a tray handy to place everything in there - so nothing rolls away on you. I always take them apart now when I get a new to me machine. It's amazing how much lint can hide in the spring and how icky the discs can get if it was well used/loved. Good luck and thank you so much for your comment!

I laughed out loud when I read "stuck on the cuteness". It's so true. I often hear that as one of the main descriptive words about the 221s. (It is totally cute.) But oof, I just love the 301A. It had me surprised from the initial stitches. How strong it is, the absolute perfect stitches, it would be a shame to not consider it.

How awesome! Refinishing the cabinet is no small feats in some cases too. The 301A has been my favorite so far too. I just love it and feels good to work on. Thank you for sharing that joy with me!

You have the version I had hoped to find. Hopefully someday. I agree, the only other machine I've ever swooned over this much is my 201-2.

I have been bitten by the "can't just have one bug". I hope to find at least a black one in a reasonable price range someday. They are absolutely wonderful machines! Congratulations on such a great birthday gift! I hope you're having a great time with it!

I'm glad you mentioned that. My husband also has some Carhartts that need repair and I wondered if I should break out one of my bigger machines for that job. How funny, you answered my question. Thanks so much for your comment and Happy Sewing to you!

$150 for the machine and table (depending on condition) sounds like a great deal for a 301A. Thanks so much for your comment and happy sewing to you!

:) I mean it's technically a portable machine, so why not? Hahaha! Yay! This is definitely a wonderful machine and I highly recommend it if you're in the market for a machine. (xoxoxo - Thank for your comment.)

I love that for you. It's so awesome when someone passes these machines down /and someone wants to receive it, rather than donating them. Thanks so much for your comment!

I'm glad my brothers never got a hold of it. They would just get rid of it. I have a friend that is bossy and told me already to get rid of it. I'm like, "Are you crazy?" lol@@TheaStarr

It is such an addiction! Thank you for the comment and happy sewing to you as well!

I sewed with the Touch and Sew 5 years, after it was gifted from a dear friend who’s Mom had sewed with it for decades. Getting it repaired required getting a couple of parts fabricated by a machinist. I picked up the 301A and am still trying to fix it. I’m almost there thanks to a plethora of KZfaq videos 🤣 I have an awesome TL series and the vintage Singers are fast becoming my favorites 🧵🪡

It's a powerful machine

I love it when a machine comes with its cabinet and is filled with goodies like that. Honestly, I was skeptical about all the talk/hype about the 301. Was it just because it's "portable". (Mine is technically the cabinet/table version because it has the two plugs on the side rather than the one.) But I am absolutely smitten with it. I love how lightweight it is. I love the slant needle and the stitches are amazing. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised too with yours. Maybe you'll consider it as a great upgrade to the Touch & Sew. I have a Golden Deluxe also that isn't working right and is fine bookend at the moment. The first person I asked about it in a sewing machine Facebook group called it a "Touch & Toss". Oof.

All of the crazy prices I've seen on Featherweights have definitely got me curious admittedly. Are they really worth that? Hopefully, I'll get to at least try one someday. There should be equally as much hype on the 301s. I am totally smitten with it.

@@TheaStarr Whether it's worth it is something no one can really answer for anyone else. I've had a chance to use a 221 for a few days and I will say it was a nice experience. However, the high price it frequently commands means it's rather low on my priorities list, since there are other machines that suit my purposes better. That's not to say, though, that I'd pass one up if a reasonably-priced specimen crossed paths with me. :) That said, I do like the 301A better. I generally don't carry a sewing machine around with me often, so the better transportability of the Featherweight is not enough to make me pick it over the better usability of the 301A, owing to it's more spacious throat area and more powerful motor. Seeing how you're smitten with your new machine, I can imagine it might spark interest in aquiring the other variants (two other colorways as well as long bed versions).

@@telecaster9992 Definitely - on wanting to collect them in the other color ways and the long bed version. But I too, wouldn't say no to the "just right" conditions of acquiring a 221.

I did read that too. I didn't feel like this machine was sluggish at all. If anything, the speed was an exciting surprise. I do appreciate the recommendation and will definitely keep it mind just in case something goes awry. Thank you!

Yes 🙌🏽 Andytube has been a great resource.

Yes Andy Tube is kind and a great source of information.

I should add that it came with all the cogs, accessories, and manual.

Whoa. Sounds like you got an incredible deal!

@@TheaStarr I totally did. ❤️

Honestly, I think if I had a Featherweight I'd be a little scared to use it too. Good luck with your New Home, Hopefully you can find some specific videos on your model to help you figure things out. Thanks so much for your comment!

Hahaha! I have to be careful what prints on my dresses I wear around my girls, they love to peck at some of them. But not quite at my bare legs. I feel like that is the case with most thrift stores (much higher prices). Feel extra lucky when I nab a machine on a sale day. True - the power cord and the bent tension knob would probably deter most. In this case, I am personally thankful for that.

What a great gift and I don't doubt it helped produce some very fine hats.

Aww thanks so much for the sub. And yes! I love how we all seemingly want to share the love/experience/and helpful hints on these machines. I hope you get yours in great working order. It really is a joy to sew with.

100% Newer machines just don't feel good to sew on, now that I've seen the other side.

@@TheaStarr The sound of newer machines is just awful too. Not the beautiful smooth purring away quietly of a vintage machine. The new ones sound so harsh, clunky and robotic. All that pressing of buttons and digital clicks and whirrs is just torment to the spirit to those of us who really love the joy and serenity of the true art of sewing with a beautiful old machine. And then there's the smell🙏😊 Vintage owners will know exactly what I mean. Vintage all the way for me, no contest. Your 301A is simply devine. Well done in getting it back to tip top condition. 💖✨

I paid over $700 for certain brand, I won’t say what one but it only ran six years. I am loving my 1951 Singer 301. 73 years old and will probably outlive me no doubt.

Hahaha! Yeah, I laugh at myself for that too. But sometimes, its the answer to fix things.

@@TheaStarr The verbification, or the mallet? (answer: yes).

Hahaha! They were oddly curious, but not quite enough to take a closer look.

I love hearing stories like that. It's such an amazing machine. I hope to pass mine down to family also.

Thanks so much!

Omg,,, and your even a chicken lady❤🐓🐓🐓❤️

Thank you all around. I have to admit I am jealous you got to sew on these in Home Ec. We had some terrible plastic things in the 90s when I had Home Ec. Now most schools don't even offer that class at all. So sad. But I know I have quite a few young folks following me because they've inherited their grandma's - some even great grandma's machines and want to learn. I too, love the vintage machines, they were built to last. I want to share that love and hopefully convince a few to tackle a stuck machine and bring it back to life. With a wee sprinkling of chicken lady vibes to encourage that too. Again, thank you - and thanks for the sub!

I know folks have different preferences on grease. I’ve used Superlube Grease and Triflow Grease. There are a couple more out there - on called SewRetro Great that I hear is made for vintage machines, but I haven’t tried it yet.

Nice to meet you too! I really hope you find one. I feel super lucky to find this one. It has been so much fun just sewing with mine.

@@TheaStarr- I just got a 403a, it's close!!! It will Do!! when are you sewing with this>?

Ooh, I hope your cabinet that came with it is nice. I did like that mine had the "drop in" cradle attached to it, even though it didn't come with a cabinet. With the cradle I can use one of my current cabinets. Yes, my winding spool is missing. I decided to skip replacing that for now. I was in the same boat with spending more on parts that I did the actual machine too. But I'm one of those crazy ladies that winds a few bobbins to have filled on the ready. Admittedly, I use my modern Pfaff for winding all of my bobbins and that's about all I use it for these days. I didn't look on eBay to do a price comparison - so thank you for mentioning that.

From constantly using this machine since I've owned it, I have to agree with you.

My little ladies love being on camera. I'm sure they'll wander into my videos often.

For me, I've often had tension issues with my machines. Sometimes, they just need a good cleaning of the disks where the thread passes through. Sometimes, they need a lot more. Thankfully manuals are easy to find online for free or a model specific machine You Tube video. I wish you all the luck with your machine!

I plan on sharing more about this machine in a future video. I need a small piece to enable the bobbin winder to work properly. I'm planning to show that and more about the bobbin (area). One of the first things I did when I got the machine was turn that knob because I didn't know what it was for. Hahaha! Your chickens sound like my girls. How dare you do anything or present them with anything different. Thank you so much for your comment!

Oooh I got the collector bug for this model. I really love this gal and now I have my eyes peeled for the other color ways and bed length. I am smitten.

@@TheaStarr I hope you find one of the illusive black long beds. That's the only one I don't have.

I was waiting for someone to critique me on that. You are correct. I actually didn't notice (or see any signs of issues) until about a week after filming everything. I've been exclusively using this machine recently and noticed my goof when I threaded it again and noticed the placement of the spring. A good testament to this machine I think, despite my flub.

@@TheaStarr Another tip ( I have been fixing my machines for years and learning constantly )... When the check spring is in proper tension, it should rest at "6:00" under the "nub"- then pull it up. The adjustment screw should be in the center, not to the left or right ( as well )... These are "helpful tips" not criticism ..

@@1953childstar Absolutely. Apologies if my use of the word critique, inferred criticism. I didn't feel that from your tips. I definitely do not know everything. I appreciate your comments.

It does. At least definitely compared to a few of my other machines.

Hahaha! Those are the best problems.

Well, great. Now I have to research Maruzen made Kenmores. :) I thought my Singer 201-2 was my lot's "Queen". The 301 definitely isn't too far behind that. (For now.) Thanks so much for your comment!

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdOngZqbns2YqKs.htmlsi=ssrDvyLP9Se0A7oS

I hope to get the zig zag attachment too.

En eBay.

@@TheaStarr kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sNCFdamCtpa7YKs.htmlsi=bTaWn9Bw30wV0JRC

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m891gtKE0K27eGg.htmlsi=nSFAsJzrGTWgZsmI

I sincerely hope there is! Hahahaha!