Thursday, October 2, 2008

A New-To-Me Old Singer

I went to an estate sale last weekend and couldn't resist buying this old lady:

I certainly don't need another sewing machine and our apartment is really limited on space, but something about this machine said, "Buy me!" So I did. For $25.

Luckily, its a lot like my mom's first Singer so I knew that this thing is the bobbin winder.


This is awesome. A guide for seam allowances. My machine has lines, but it doesn't have the measurements printed on the plate. This is nice.

And it came with a briefcase full of attachments. Bonus. If only I knew how to use them.

Lots of feet, too. There are a few I have no idea what they do.

I sewed a few seams with it and it has an awesome straight stitch. In fact, I could see myself sewing all my quilts with it. It'd make me feel so....vintage.

I love that all the attachments came with instruction manuals. If only the machine did! I know I have to oil it, but I have no idea where and don't know how to take the cover off. Anyone have an owner's manual for a Singer 3101A???

Edited to add: I have since purchased another 301A (this one for $40, but it came with a table). To see it, click here.

14 comments:

Cactusneedles said...

Don't have an owner's manual for you, but it's similar to the one my mom had (and now I have). I oil it by tipping it on it's side (mine's in the foldout table). Also, there might be a screw on the side above the needle, take that side plate off and then you can clean out/de-lint where the thread goes up and down. Hope that helps a little! Great find! :)

Jaime said...

I think my sewing machine might be similar? It's way old, I know that much! Unfortunately, I don't know much more than that. I just do the basics with it, nothing fancy. I wonder if I'm supposed to oil mine?

Tracy said...

it looks like a beautiful machine!

Miri said...

Great sewing machine and you're so lucky with all those feet-I think one looked like a ruffler. You can try contacting Singer and see if they have an old manual, or try Ebay, I know I've seen old manuals for sale (weird isn't it).

Carissa(GoodnCrazy) said...

Hey rockin cool. And I'll totally bet that it sews better than my brand new one with all it's plastic parts!

Anonymous said...

That's neat! My grandma has a really old machine as well. I took one look at it and told her that I would have no clue how to use it.

Philigry said...

waht a beautiful machine! what a deal.

QuiltedSimple said...

How cool that you found that at a garage sale. Guess I need to start looking more!
Kris

Chicago Sarah said...

Great find! I have a singer featherweight and those accessories look familiar. I seem to recall a website dedicated to just sewing machine feet...if I find it I'll send it.

Robin said...

Wow, you are on a roll with the sewing machine purchases!! That is a pretty cool machine.

Becky said...

This is beautiful, am so jealous, especially as I currently sewing machine-less.

LSS said...

You can download a manual at http://www.mastersewusa.com/

cidell said...

OMG. That machine is worth like $100- $300 depending on it's condition (if it's a 301). You lucky, lucky thing you.

annalidia said...

Here is a manual I found for the Singer 301A. Enjoy!
http://www.sew-classic.com/uploads/301.pdf

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