Use It or Lose It: Singer 301

The 1957 Singer 301, one of my all-time favorite vintage Singer machines. I'm up to #10 in my machine inventory, and there's only a few machines left to look at. Which is good, because I'm about out of storage space! This is a portable machine, a big brother to the 221 Featherweights. The end of the bed folds up for storage in the case, and there were two bed lengths available - this one being the shorter of the two, or a "shortie."


I LOVE the streamlined design of the 301, it is sleek, smooth, minimal and the form of the machine follows its simple function. Compare this to the Singer 319 and you'll notice a lot less happening on the outside of the machine although these two machines were manufactured just three years apart.

Can you find the motor on this machine? On old Singers they are usually mounted right on the back of the machine head, but this model houses the motor INSIDE the metal casing. Instead of a belt drive, the 301 has internal direct-drive gears. The internal direct drive of the 301 makes for a quiet and powerful sewing machine. But don't be fooled - some people incorrectly list the 301's as "Industrial" because of this feature, but it was (and still is) considered nothing but a home sewing machine.

 

This machine shares the same bobbin technology as the 221 Featherweight, accessible when the end of the bed is raised. This might also be another reason that the 301 makes such beautiful stitches, this is a great bobbin design.


I also love the funky gizmos and gadgets that go along with this machine!

I've managed to collect an entire set of attachments for my 301, including the original box of standard 301 stuff,

a complete buttonholer attachment with extra buttonhole templates,

and an original Zigzagger attachment with cams. All these extras fit conveniently with the 301 in the original case.

And now for the only drawback - and the reason why you don't see me sewing on outings more often with the portable 301. The case, with the machine and all the accessories weighs a whopping 30 pounds! Compare that to the mere 19 pounds of the 221 Featherweight and accessories in the case, and you'll figure out why the 301 doesn't often make it out of the house!

If you'd like to see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click back to read about these oldies but goodies:

#9. 1934 White Rotary Century of Progress

#8. Singer 319W

#7. 1957 Singer 221

#6. 1934 Singer 99-13

#3, #4, and #5. 1922 Singer 66, C.1900 Vibrating Shuttle, and Singer 114K103

#2. 1919 Singer 128

#1. 1901 Singer 15-30 Custom