The Pfaff looks most interesting: ) I'm not familiar with that particular model but I would call it a definite step up from the 401, nice as that is. If you ever come across a Necchi from the period, a Supernova for example, try one & be prepared to be amazed: )

It's so great to see and (and so many others in the comments) loving this 'old' lady. I'm using my mum's Singer 317, it's the only machine I've ever sewn on and I love it - It does everything I need. I couldn't imagine sewing with anything else, plus I'm always 'with' my mum when I do sew and she passed 26 years ago.

You shouldn't run the machine with the presser foot on the feed dogs. The feed dogs will scratch up the presser foot and and the dog teeth will get dull. Always put some material between the presser foot and feed dogs (or drop the feed dogs) when putting the presser foot down.

What a beautiful machine. I just bought a small one from Temu just for small sewing. Do you know anything about them? Thank you for sharing this.

I personally am not a “sewist” (is that a word?) and a quilter only so will share my opinion. I recently was given the opportunity to compare a Singer black 221 Featherweight and a Singer 301 in the same room. Weight wise, the Featherweight though lighter, was a little more unbalanced if you carry it one handed through the throat area with the motor being on the end. The handle placement of the 301 felt more balanced. Also with the motor inside the 301 housing I thought it was quieter than the Featherweight. I actually tested out two 301s. The fact that you can drop the feed dogs in the 301 is a plus for those who want to try free motion quilting. I ended up buying the tan 301 and the sewing machine repair/refurbish fellow (actually very experienced restorer as he gave me a tour of their personal Museum, he and his wife had at least 35 beautifully restored machines the earliest from 1875!) had switched out a couple of the tan parts - the wheel, the light housing and the end - with a black machine which to me looks very cool…well I liked it anyway. 😁😍 It did have its original bobbin housing. Your question about zigzag - I would maybe only use it when I attach a quilt label but usually I just hand stitch one on after attaching the binding. That is my opinion. Thank you for your post comparison. ❤ I wanted to purchase a machine to be able to take it places…I actually own a couple 401s and a Bernina 440 QE. I purchased one 401 online (eBay) thoroughly gone over by a reputable dealer and when I tried to find a sewing table/desk for it I went to my local thrift store a few years ago and they had a lovely sewing desk and when I looked at it I asked myself will my 401 fit inside it, then looked inside and there was the exact same machine tucked away in there! Got the desk and machine for $50.00 and when I got it home and ran the one in the desk through its paces, wouldn’t you know it worked just fine! 😍 I was thankful .❤

Also, Apparently you can drop the feed dogs on the 301… There is a screw under in the bobbin case area that you release… oh, 😆😆💞The chickens! 😍 Subbed. 👍🏻

Hi. Thanks for your videos. I really enjoy them. Since you're soliciting suggestions, I'd love to see a video discussing good options for sergers, maybe older ones vs newer ones, as well as your opinion on reasonable prices. Thanks!

Who knew there was a market for these. If that’s so, I have two I would love to get rid of. A singer and a brother. Probably from the 80s.

She looks like a Betty ❤

Amazing !! Very Collectable

AND....she's white!!!

Sticjers for the sewi g box

I use waistband for hems or is it bandwaist? Lol...but I luv my Singer 301a

I hope you know you push in on that stitch selection and it depends on what cam is inside

Most of the cases smell. I order the deodorizer fro the Featherweight Shop. I tried all the remedies on my FW case nothing worked. refinished that. Now I my 301 long bed case only has a musty smell not nearly as bad a FW. First LIGHTLY spray with mix of 2/3/ water 1/3 white vinegar wipe inside and out with sponge or rag. Do not soak that will ruin your case. REPEAT if still dirt. Buy the deodorizer. The Vinegar will help with the odor and clean the case. Best luck

Yes

Wonderful demo! So nice to see new generations value these older machines from when I was younger. The new plasticky machines today with their zillion electronic complicated parts are not appealing to me at all. I adore vintage machines with their mechanical all metal parts. They last forever, well built, solid, robust, and easy to use and maintain. 9:07 - See that screw head sticking out on left side of screen? What is that part please? It seems to be missing from a machine I want to buy but I am not able to see beyond the outside. I would love to know what that is called. Its on top of one of the shafts going up and down. This was a delightful video and the star of the show is of course, the chickens! What sweet birds, so curious about the sewing machine. The morning coat was lovely with the vintage buttons. Keep making videos. This was a lot of fun!

Not to brag, but I bought a 301A for $2 at an online auction. I'm not a very experienced sewer but I have made a few small projects. I had an old White rotary and wanted a cabinet to set it in and that was the reason I bid on this machine. As it turned out, I really didn't know what I had, but I found this wonderful, practically new looking Singer inside and cleaned it up. I think it does a great job and would do a better job if the operator knew what he was doing. I think these older machines are super.

I have the same montgomry ward machine, I found it at a dumpster, the only thing I had to do was replace the wires and moter, that's it! It also has a different case made by montgomry ward, wich I never see anywhere.

I just got one too and I absolutely love it!💜

Tough one to pass up. Seven drawer cabinet, with toys in puzzle box, in great condition. Complete, nicely loved machine. I would've stopped a few times to go back.😅

Nice i got mine for free and retimed it. If you need help, lmk

I love everything about this!! <3 thanks for sharing and enjoy!

The foot plate is easily bent on these machines because it MUST be inserted from the back instead of the front like most machines. If people aren't aware of this, they might bend a little metal piece that holds it in place when struggling to insert it from the front.

Wow!! You made that base awesome!! What a great find and fix up!

Great job, congratulations

Just got mine in the mail, saw someone online using one and then spotted one at a vintage store but it was 70 dollars so eBay saved the day and I got one for 16.. ha! Can't wait to give it a try 🙌

I was waiting to see if there was a bobbin case in there. Usually they are NOT especially in at thrift store they are COSTLY almost triple what you paid for the machine. I know people who will go look for one for sale just to buy it for the bobbin case. I have read online that you cannot leave that machine alone if it is for sale as it will be stolen ! Lovely machines glad you found one and yes I would be pinching myself to see one there. Hold on you paid 22 bucks for the bobbin case? Was it new made in China ? I will go look for one for that price thanks so much for mentioning the price in Canadian $ they are not cheap nor on ebay and then the shipping. Cool !

Absolutely gorgeous, I have a centennial model as well and just adore it ❤️

What are your thoughts on the white model 43?

Hi Thea,,, wow what great finds and prices,,,I think I like the sewing box just as it is,,, cant wait to see how the machines turn out mechanically,,, love your dress. And I m real close to your Moms age and I d say all the machines are vintage, except I’m not sure how old the hobby machine is. ❤

That singer 401a. Thats a great machine for sure

My jaw actually dropped when I saw the Singer 401 + the cabinet for $30. What a steal. I am so jealous.

That Singer 401A in that cabinet for $30! You know how to find them. Nice deal on that.

Your youngest child is 20? Aren't you about 25? I have a Pfaff 401A in a beautiful cabinet. The machine is a marvel of engineering!

Congrats on the new machine. The Featherweight Shoppe in Idaho is my go-to for evrything. They really know these machines.

Thanks for the video I’m going to try this!

Thea, you have impeccable taste in sewing machines. These Pfaff machines are precision built machines that work perfectly when cleaned and lubricated. They are the most challenging machines I have ever encountered. Several repair videos are available but you need to understand German for some of them. I have one now that is just waiting for me to tackle. Maybe I will get the courage from your experiences. Thank you for posting this video.

Congratulations, Thea. I have never seen in person or owned a long bed Singer 301. I like the slant shank Singers that have the oil port to lubricate the motor bushing. Even though these Oilite bronze bushings are sintered bronze and pre-lubricated with oil, occasionally replenishing with 20 weight nondetergent oil (sewing machine oil) is a good idea. Especially after all these years. As I recall there is a wool wick that absorbs the oil inside that tube. When disassembling these motors I remove the old dried up wick and replace it with a fresh new wool wick. At one time, I thought those slant shank motor wicks were impregnated with grease like the Singer 221 motor wicks but they were lubricated with oil. Oil with detergent or PTFE additives might clog up the sintered bronze. Thank you for posting this video. If you ever want to sell this machine and case, contact me!

So glad you got the Feed and Wax to work! It is the only method that has worked for me. The biggest problem with other methods is that heat and humidity actually feeds the microbes and mold spores, so this is not a good idea. I talked to a museum conservator who told me this. To be a bit more thorough, you can also unscrew the metal attachment brackets to get under them too. Great job and video!

She is beautiful and so are you! Thank you for sharing with us your love of sewing. I’m a newbie learner and appreciate this so much.

I had the white but needed to get the black featherweight too. I need to sew with each of them more to find a favorite. And now I bought a 201-2. I’m addicted. I just like to clean and polish them.

I've got a white Featherweight from 1968, and the case has that same horrid smell. I've tried various approaches, all for naught. I'll give Howard's a try. The case and everything stored in it, including machine, cardboard box with attachments & bobbins, has that horrid smell. Thanks for your video!

Just picked up a 1955 301A longbed for free! I'll be tackling the tension assembly too. Someone definitely put it back together a bit wonky. Enjoyed your video and love your adorable chickens.

Super beautiful SINGER 201 ♥️🧵♥️🧵The would have to be the best looking Sewing Machine ♥️🧵♥️🧵Glenn xx

Very hot here in Montana as well as Smokey, ugh , glad your hard work paid off. ❤🐓❤️

I'm using a cheap product "Car polish for all types of plastics" for vinyl surfaces. It removes smell and bring back shine.

Great! I’ll have to try it. PS: the peanut gallery is adorable!🐓

For the smell you need to kill the fungus, so use bleach I use scented bleach so I won’t die trying😅 just mix it half and half with water and up to sun for a little bit to dry and it should be fixed, however if the bleach is not for you, spray some freeze and also helps with the smell, I hope it helps 😊

I found one in its case, I assumed it was a typewriter. I opened it & was surprised, it had been marked down.to $20 bucks, it had 8 feet & manual, button holer. It's a great machine.