The 301 was available in two-tone shown above, all tan, and black. The factory lingo for the color combination used on the 2-tone Singer 301s was "Light Beige Oyster White", or LBOW for short.

While the threading diagram is not printed on the machine like some Singers, if you have ever threaded any Singer, this model contains no surprises.

A bobbin case is used and takes some getting use to (especially if one has fat fingers), but once you have the hang of removing and installing it, it becomes easier.

For darning or embroidering the feed is rendered inoperative by turning the big black screw seen left of the bobbin case - unsophisticated but effective.

We purchased our 301A and cabinet at a Goodwill store near Charleston, West Virginia for $30.00 during November 2006. The machine is in near perfect condition but the cabinet has marks on top from someone placing wet objects on it.

Our machine sews nicely both forward and in reverse and the stitches look pretty much the same in either direction.

Quilters note: The presser foot has a 1/4-inch guide on the left side only. If you like a 1/4-inch seam allowance on the right side, you will need to add another foot or use some other guide as reference. We have feet for our machines that are 1/2-inch wide with rollers and some are clear plastic so we can obtain a seam allowance on either side of the needle. We also place a strip of tape on the bed as a guide. There are a corresponding number and size of feed dogs to match the factory foot. You need to understand that if you put on another foot, some contact surfaces will not be over a feed dog. (Same as Featherweight.)

I'm reminded that this 301 was made to sew everything from dresses to draperies and not everyone sews nothing but quilt patches.

Only accessories for a slant-needle machine will fit the 301. The owner's manual describes operation of many attachments for the 301 including an Automatic Zigzagger capable of 16 fancy stitch patterns.

Our 301A has serial number NB110140 made during 1956 in Anderson, South Carolina

Features we like:

1. Smooth, quiet and well balanced
2. Inclined needle bar places work closer to your line of vision
3. Easy starting-you don't have to manually spin the handwheel
4. Good range of control on speed from slow to fast using foot/knee control
5. Easy to carry - has built-in carrying handle
6. Light weight aluminum head weighs only 16 pounds
7. Both electrical chords can be replaced without rewiring the machine
8. The spool pins are springs that allow them to bend and not break.
9. Full-size machine
10. Metal gear driven; not plastic gears - no belts
11. No plastic