Singer 301 & Singer 221 - A Tail Two Machines - A Wrench in My Plans.

My latest dilemma. A singer 221 from 1949 appears beautiful but does not work. A Singer 301 from 1952 appears horrid but works beautifully.

[@AnneHeyns]

That's a very beautiful old singer☺

[@sewterie]

Thanks Anne and thanks so much for watching. Be well.

[@patwalker2501]

When I got my featherweight, it, the parts box, and the entire case smelled very musty. Cleaning and leaving them to air out in the sun did nothing to get rid of the overwhelming smell. My local librarian helped me research for a solution, and she suggested aquarium charcoal. I put everything in a large black bag, all cases open, with some aquarium charcoal from the pet store, and let them sit for a week. The odors were gone, and never came back!

[@sewterie]

That sounds like it would work for sure. I have put it in a scented garbage bag already but I am going try coffee grounds since I already have that at home. I will post if it works. If not, I will get to the pet store and pick up some charcoal. Thanks so much for sharing this very helpful tip. And thank you for watching my little channel. Be well.

[@glendacrouch1877]

Cool idea

[@glendacrouch1877]

Teri, I love this video! Great 301 but very pitiful owner! I laughed & laughed & laughed at the stink! It totally would gross me out too! Sad about the FW ☹️

[@sewterie]

Hi Glenda. I am glad I made you laugh. She came in stinking and now she is smelling sweet. Her case is still in quarantine!! lol. Yes. That featherweight is a task and a half. I still have hope to get her going again. I have too many projects going on and that is not like me at all. Thanks for watching.

[@Sewwithdebee]

I would love a 301a my Featherweight is amazing but she needs a sister

[@sewterie]

I understand. Adopt one. lol. Thanks for watching. I know I am going to LOVE this machine.

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

Dang Terie! You did everything it sounds like. She didn’t want to behave.

[@sewterie]

Very True. The beauty IS a beast. I will keep trying and KYP. Thanks so much for watching.

[@sandrak7267]

Wow …I wish Cinderella would have sewed for you! 😢 now on to the mean stepsister….what to do ….paint or just a couple decals! Can’t wait to see! 💜💜💜

[@sewterie]

I really don't know but I have an idea with the beige 301. Maybe I should call her Coco so don't have to say BEIGE! lol. She looks like cocoa powder. or even Iced Tea mix. (I am giving this too much thought.) However, I am so very happy with this machine. I have always wanted a 301. They can sew 1600 stitches a minute. Not that anyone needs to sew that fast. Thanks so much for watching. Little beast took up a few hours of my time again today. I am done with her. Can you say paperweight? lol. Talk later.

[@MichellesCraftsandMore]

I adore old machines. I have an old Good Housekeeper machine that I bought for $5 (in the cabinet) at Salvation Army. No paperwork, nor can I find information on her online. But she has the knee pedal which I absolutely adore and she sews like a dream!

[@sewterie]

Hi Michelle. Thanks. Wow. That is a great find and glad she works well. It is sometimes hard to find the dates on some machines. Sometimes you can get info on the type of cabinet and go from there and get a rough date. Thanks so much for watching. Stay well.

[@guesswhonancy9028]

Wow you just never know what you are getting do you😊

[@sewterie]

Very true. I will keep you posted. Thanks for watching.

[@MariesScrappyCreations]

Well, where to begin, because I have a lot to comment on for this video. I apologize ahead of time. So, first I’d like to say that I really enjoy the way you show the parts and what you’ve tried so far when making these videos. I find that very interesting. That being said, I am so bummed out that the 221 isn’t working, especially given all the time and work you have put into it and I know you had big plans for it. I am so sorry! But, I bet that maybe with some more time, patience and love, you may find out what the issue is. When you opened the bottom of it and did that screech, I thought that spiders or cockroaches jumped out, yikes! My heart leapt in my chest when you screeched, truly! I wondered what was holding on to the smell. It’s not like there is fabric or anything soft inside, so it must’ve been very smelly where it has been sitting (the poor thing!) for the metal parts of that machine to hold onto that stinky smell. It looks like a very hefty machine and I know my sewing machine from the 1950s is hefty, too. I was not surprised at all that it sewed as beautifully as it did without any repairs. Those were made with quality parts and are workhorses! You mentioned that you want to paint it, and I’m curious if you have any color is in mind yet? Too bad it’s missing the handle, and I bet you would end up paying a pretty price for one by itself if you found one online. I would imagine that it would be cheaper to find a parts machine versus buying only the handle, but to find another machine, then to just buy the handle, but that’s just me guessing, though. I wouldn’t be surprised that it would wind the bobbin while you sew, as that’s how my mother’s sewing machine was. I’m not sure what year it was but it’s the one she used to sew all of our clothes and other items. I just remember being amazed that it could do that at the same time. Well, since this is turning into a book, I think I will close for now. Thank you for another great video. I think this stuff is all SEW interesting!

[@sewterie]

Marie, This beige Singer 301 has an aluminum body like the featherweight, so she weighs only 16 lbs. So much easier to handle for me. I have a 201 that is almost if not 30 lbs. I don't move her around much but I love it. as far as paint, I will keep that under my hat (what hat?) until I decide which way to go and if I should. You know my wheels are always turning. As for little Miss Prissy, I will give her another day or so and them I will completely break her down and put her back together. I may be missing something but at this point the list of things I have tried is way to long. I would love for her to work, get names and move on out!! lol. Once you name them, you keep them, right? Thanks so much for your support. Be well and be kind as you always say on your channel. XO

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Your 301 looks like she has been painted. I have two Singer 301 sewing machines that are still black and have their original gold detailing. She may have been stored with something that smelled very bad. I had to use a dry tooth brush to get the rust off of my Singer 221's feed dogs. I love my old Singer Sewing machines.

[@sewterie]

Thanks. I think this definitely her original paint. Some were beige and I see no signs of having been done over. She is cleaned up now and is not getting painted by me, but I have a few ideas for her. Stay tunes please. Thanks for coming by and commenting. Be well.

[@glendacrouch1877]

The 301 also came original in beige as well as black.

[@LovesGorillas]

I just bought a Singer 301 at a thrift shop for $20. I've been a bit untrusting of the handle and only tried it out a few times, but always with a hand on the underside. But with your missing handle in mind, I'm not going to ever use it again just in case it breaks. :o)

[@sewterie]

Hi there. I know. I do know that the handle is for lifting the machine and made strongly, but I agree that I would be cautious and I too will not depend on it to carry the machine. I did buy a handle someone had on eBay but I didn't install it yet. I love this machine so she is set up and I have been using it regularly. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Stay well.

[@MyQuiltProjects]

Have you figured out the 221? I’m so happy the 301 just needed a bath lol😂

[@sewterie]

I haven't but I have put in way too many hours on her. So she can sit in the corner for a bit and thing about her behavior. lol. I will keep you posted. Sometimes you just get one like that. Thanks for watching.

[@christinewhitaker2957]

Is this sew terie that comes on That’s sew nova?

[@sewterie]

Yes Christine W. It is!!! Hope you enjoy my channel.

[@christinewhitaker2957]

@@sewterie ok yes I subscribed

[@sewterie]

@@christinewhitaker2957 awe. Thank you.

[@darlenecowham1595]

I thought you found a dead mouse or something...LOL

[@sewterie]

I once found a mouse nest, but not in this one. I thought I would with the way it smelled. I am sure the case was "holding" on to some odors it absorbed. But the case probably kept her safe for many years. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Dahna_]

you never showed us what the first one was doing. Maybe if you share the problem we could help

[@sewterie]

She is binding up on the back of the fabric. She is getting caught on the bobbin case because the horizonal rock shaft (with the gears) is out of place. I can't seem to get that screw loose to move the counterbalance on her. That after much trial and error. Thanks so much for watching. And thanks for offering help. I do appreciate it. BE well.

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Could your Singer 221 be out of time?

[@sewterie]

Hi there. Not. I timed her and checked a few times. I even took her apart in another video just to make sure nothing was broken that I couldn't see and to make sure nothing was throwing her out of time. Thanks so much for watching and leaving feedback. It is much appreciated. Be well.