CAN A SINGER 301 BE RARE? This One Sure Is!! If You See a Black Singer Like This, BUY IT!!

[@jvin248]

I have a couple of machines (201s and 15-91s) with that level of mirror finish. The only 301 around is beige that I got to refurbish as the weather gets colder. In the used guitar market these types of pristine machines get called 'case queens' because they never got out to play, often neglected. While they look great and run like new, there remains a certain lonely sadness behind their brilliant shine. My workhorse machine is a 15-91 branded 'nger' because the 'Si' was chewed off by previous owners' pin wraps -- It reveals the thousands of hours of hard sweaty labor clothing the big and the small with the mundane and the festive clothes of several generations and now after cleaning/repair/maintenance it continues working hard; a bit of the Japanese concept of 'Kintsugi' for finding beauty in broken and repaired things. Keep restoring those machines.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I agree. I can say that vintage machines are 'almost' never worn out mechanically. If I find a machine that I feel has a potential buyer and the machine is not 'pretty' due to paint wear etc, I will still rescue it. And this also explains one of the reasons I don't repaint machines. Touch up? Sure, but I don't strip and repaint machines because not only will my clients not pay the premium that would entail, I feel it would remove some of the 'patina' that the past generations imparted when they used the machines long ago. Of course, the beauty of 'patina' is in the eye of the beholder , but this is my approach.

[@BizzyDitchAZ88]

I own this exact machine. I acquired it from my now deceased mother. It’s the only sewing machine I’ve ever used.

[@lydiamartinez7887]

My grandma is giving me hers! My mom has 5 sisters(2brothers) and they all have at least 5 kids. I’m the youngest granddaughter and wasn’t expecting to get anything passed down to me on this side of the family. But I’m so touched they thought I would cherish this piece of art. I’m so excited to have something of my grandmas in my home. It is in great condition like this one.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

How I envy you Lydia. What an heirloom to cherish and not only because it is one of the great sewing machines from history, but especially treasured given the family history that yours has!

[@KJ-fg5ch]

I just opened up my Grandma's machine same as in this video. Made in 1953. It was passed down to my mom now me. It came with the cabinet with built in pedal. The drawers are full of all the original accessories and books all packed in original boxes like new. And, the paperwork was in there also. The original ad and receipt from the door to door singer sales man. The machine and cabinet was 211.41 Canadian. And the best part, the straight stitch sews better then my old Elna.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Wow. I'm so envious. Not just because it is a wonderful machine with all of the accessories etc, but because it is a family heirloom. Such provenance that your machine has!

[@vivianjones9130]

I acquired a black longbed Singer 301A a few years ago because someone put it on the street for the garbage to pick up. I plugged it up to see if it ran and did. So the first thing I did was order another plug and foot pedal for it. Then carried it to have it serviced. The man told me to be sure to hang onto it for they were hard to find and it's a workhorse. I am so proud of it. I took a picture of it and put on a group that I'm in on facebook and someone made the comment that it had a lot of scratches on it. I didn't reply for I felt like it had been used a lot. Love my machine.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Congratulations Vivian. I would never turn down a Singer 301 no matter what its aesthetic condition. I actually have one just like yours and it looks like it had a hard life, but I plan on 'waking' it up and seeing it sew again!

[@elainebukowsky9187]

Can’t wait to see your follow up videos on this machine and the cabinet. Glad to see you making more videos.

[@Cass_772]

this machine was not used much, it's beautiful! I have a 401, I repaired it myself and it really gave me a passion for these machines

[@ceecee8757]

This one is absolutely gorgeous, sir! Thanks for sharing.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Many thanks!

[@wdtaut5650]

The gold decals also appear to be perfect, or nearly so.

[@ngrimes9267]

Beautiful!

[@chrisfort7340]

Thank you for posting this video. I’m new to sewing and trying to decide on what to get, thank you for your help.

[@anthonyiron4635]

I am looking forward to this video as I have my mother's 301A which looks identical.

[@jocelynemaurice4001]

Congratulations on your 301 I love these machines. I now own two 301. One short bed with the beautiful queen cabinet and I got a second one this summer with long bed and an attritional short bed to fit in the cabinet. I will use my long bed next summer when I will sew in the gazebo. I can’t wait to see your next videos

[@creativitybycarilyn6634]

I took your advice and just bought it!! I found one that is absolutely gorgeous in its glossy finish with original bobbin case, manuals and original parts and suitcase. I bid higher than I wanted, but I think it is worth it because of the condition. Even the vintage button foot pedal looks new. I think the suitcase helped preserve it. I will clean it and oil it before trying to sew on it. I enjoy watching all of your videos...now after seeing some of the beautiful machines you have restored, I picked up the 201-2 mounted in a cabinet and the 301a portable to go with a modern sewing/embroidery machine. My collection appears to be complete!!

[@cocasio7190]

The owner took good care of it. Beautiful finish

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, they sure did. Black finish vintage machines were/are more sensitive to environmental exposure and so when I am fortunate to find such a lovely example, it tells me a lot about how it was cared for; likely by the original owner.

[@SummaGirl1347]

I personally love the scratches and dings - they connect me to the past and I feel honored by the past owners who used these wonderful machines to sew beautiful and useful things for themselves and their families. I just bought a black, long-bed 301 (my 4th antique Singer) and will be taking it in for servicing with strict instructions: Clean it up, tune it up, but don't pretty it up. It's not going in a museum; it's going to continue its work.

[@PibbleMom297]

What a beauty! I have a 301A just like yours, it's very shiny and glossy, with almost but not quite a mirror finish. I bought it from a woman who let it go for $50 without a table. She was the original owner and had it regularly serviced so it practically purrs and sews like a dream. I love the black finish too. I suspect people prefer black because the finish has a depth to it the light color finishes don't. It looks "richer" for lack of a better word. I also have a 201-2 in what I would call "good" condition cosmetically. It shows wear on the finish and some of the decals are rubbed off, but that doesn't bother me. I've cleaned the major parts; needle bar, gears, linkages, removed old grease and put fresh in the grease wells, taken apart & cleaned the filthy balance wheel assembly, re-greased and reassembled it. I replaced the power cord and foot pedal as the original was unsafe, but the wiring on the inside is intact and undisturbed. I'm a neophyte at this so it took me forever, but when I turn the wheel, everything moves silently and as smoothly as silk. Except for refilling the wells, I've not opened and examined the motor yet, as I wanted some good advice first. It runs well but sounds a bit heavy and loud. Have you come across this previously? It sort of growls, not badly but I wondered if you might be able to tell me what it SHOULD sound like before I take it apart unnecessarily. To me your videos are priceless. I'm eager to learn and you always provide something worthwhile. Thank you very much!

[@johnnymiller8481]

Got one with all attachments love your site just found it

[@1.6Kilometres]

Gorgeous.

[@Anterak123]

Probably does not have much mileage from the previous owner(s). Probably a marriage gift for a housewife who did not sew...Could be!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very possible scenario.

[@hollywinsman9464]

What a beautiful machine.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It sure is!

[@jonnaosborne1832]

I just purchased my first Singer 301 (tan color), and I am looking forward to any other videos you produce about these machines. Thanks!

[@annetrenary2875]

I have a Mocha, tan and black. I did rehome the tan machine (free) I had it professionally serviced beforehand.

[@MickeyLu09]

I have a beige one, the one I got that prob wasn’t used much at all, she’s a cream puff and in pristine condition

[@davidanddavidstrading]

Oh boy.... I was wondering what it would look like it I painted my 403A black. Now I know, It is going to look stellar.

[@treperrys]

A Singer 301 with the centennial badge is very rare. Only 1000 301s got that badge and only 49 have been found so far.

[@Cass_772]

interesting! thank you!! I'll be looking for those hehe!!

[@Sibes3]

Wow. Beautiful. What wax do you use to polish your machines?

[@annetrenary2875]

I have never been able to find a singer on craigslist! I have a Black 301 but still haven't found a control pedal for it! :~(

[@davidgreyeyes]

I have a 301A in black with a table and a 221 with a table. The tables are wonderful

[@ronalddaub5008]

My 2 tone brown one came from a high school with box and all available attachment s The machine head is like new.. zigzagger, button holer ECT. Ps I like the black one too.

[@tristanichols157]

I’m curious if it has a low serial number and the Celtic design on the back

[@TrishMeyer99]

Looking forward to seeing you rehab this machine. But is the paint on a black 301 more like car paint compared to the shellac/japanned finish of the older black Singers (like the 201)? I found the beige 301 is painted and easy to polish and wax with car products. I also have a Necchi BU and it responds well to car products as it's painted.

[@tammyjohnson6582]

I have an ardee threader that looks some what similar. Not sure where it came from

[@terit.6593]

Wow, that is one pristine finish on a gorgeous machine! I'm looking forward to watching your videos as you work on it. You mentioned using wax to polish our vintage sewing machines. Do you recommend any particular type of wax or specific brand(s) to use on our older machines?

[@theprojectproject01]

Car care products and techniques.

[@jocelynemaurice4001]

I bought the wax for my vintages at the featherweight shop

[@carolyncavanaugh7249]

What is the serial number? Is it one of the first 10K? That would make it rare.

[@JudithBrummett]

I'm wondering if you clean these up to resell or collect? I would love to see you repair a latch for a cover. My 1917 WE has a weak latch and opens when I try to move it. Even picking up from bottom ... Lol it just pops open.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great question Judith. Collect? Oh gosh now, LOL. If I collected these, there would be several hundred in my possession and my spouse would not approve. No, my primary mission is to rescue, overhaul, and find new homes for these great machines. I keep one machine on hand to do my own rather awkward (but functional) mending of things, but these machines are happiest when running and I'm no sewer by any stretch. You can see evidence of this fact when I demonstrate my so called, 'sewing ability' :-/

[@carmencolon3520]

What's a reasonable price for a 301. I have seen people asking over $400. haven't paid more than $75 for others machine and still I get chocked when I do.

[@robynnedorion3900]

Would you have any information about the New Triumph treadle machine? I have been searching for three weeks, to no avail.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Not that I know of.

[@ronalddevine9587]

It looks like this machine has never been used. Factory brand new!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Close to it Ronald. It is not common but in rare circumstances, I've come across machines that were likely gifts to folks who never took to sewing. They likely felt guilty about parting with the machines given how costly they were. In fact, the 301 in Two-Tone colors that graces the my channel home page was just such a machine. It had almost no signs of use. I have a soft spot for many of the great machines I have overhauled, but the 301A you see in those pics was my very first.

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Any luck with the Kenmore 158-1941? I snagged one in a cabinet for $45 US. It ran, but wouldn't zigzag. I thought of you every step of the way in rehabilitating her. It was very clean internally, but DRY. A few doses of Tri Flow, and patience and now is perfection. Thanks for all of your excellent videos and advice. I missed you while you were gone.

[@hilaryg4594]

I am very curious to know how much you purchased this for....?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It has been long enough that I don't recall the exact figure. This one was a local auction offering that I won the high bid on. If I had to wager a guess, I would say I may have given $150 Canadian for it?

[@fitall9230]

Reverse stich feature?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Oh yes, absolutely. Reverse stitching had been introduced years before (a few decades perhaps? ). Unlike later machines that had spring loaded reverse options, this one will stay in reverse simply by shifting the stitch length lever up all the way.

[@jnat7806]

Nice machine! Do you think this machine is capable of redoing my ski boat upholstery?? Thank you I have one I’m looking to buy for this project

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

There are a number of variables that will determine the machine you need. The weight of the upholstery fabric batters as does the kind of seems you need. The 301 has a slanted needle which is great in many ways, but for extra heavy fabrics, I prefer a vertical needle design and a Class 15 bobbin machine. I would actually suggest one of the Kenmore 158.1941 models. They have extra high presser foot lift clearance, a double belt pulley system, and a free arm. They also sell on average for less than Singers, but for your specific project, I would look towards a Kenmore such as this. I had a client in the past that used one to sew boat vinyl seats and it worked well for them.

[@jnat7806]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thank you so much for that info, it’s exactly what I was looking for, really appreciate that expert advice.!

[@jnat7806]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage that’s actually a hard model number to find, just my luck lol

[@user-rb2ru6mm4z]

We have a machine like this and looking to sell it. It’s in as good of shape maybe better. Let me know if you’re interested.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

If you are in the Greater Toronto/ Southern Ontario area, I would love to see it. I only work with those in our region due to the danger of shipping machines; should you be farther away.

[@alfredklek]

The feet were worn out badly enough to be replaced even though it was in a cabinet but the finish is perfect? Seems fishy to me. Are you sure it wasn't refinished?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Not to worry Alfred. I don't suspect anything odd here. The reason is that the feet are worn not due to machine use but due to time. Rubber is a compound and it is not inert or stable over this many decades. The 'dry rotting' sets in and requires the feet be replaced. This can also apply to rubber bobbin winder tires and cords.

[@theprojectproject01]

They made well over a million in black. They aren't rare. Uncommon, but not rare.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, I know they were made in large numbers. Please see the video for why I mention one like THIS is rare. Thanks for sharing.

[@ceecee8757]

Just because a million of these were made, doesn't mean that there are a million WORKING, functioning, all parts still included, mint to good condition machines floating around. It is RARE to find ones that are well taken care of with the manual, case or table and chair included.