Should I look for a 301 Long bed or a 401?
 

A few weeks ago I spotted what I thought was a sewing machine card table at a rummage sale. I came home as I didn't/don't have a machine to fit a card table and then had second thoughts. I went back to the sale and picked up the table for a fantastic price not knowing what machine it was for.

I've since discovered it is for the 301 Long Bed, although the 401 will also fit it. So, now I'm on the search for one of those machines which I can afford. Since during this time my main machine could not zig zag and I have seen FW as sewing/quilting classes where zig zag is needed, I want to know if the zig zag and other stitches with the zigzag attachment are "good" or perhaps as good as the built in zigzag on the 401?

I really would like a light weight machine to take to classes and retreats (point to the 301), but not having a zig zag and or blind hem stitch since the end of July has put a significant damper on my machine applique (point to the 401).

Of course there is one other alternative -- sell the card table and then buy a new light weight machine -- but then which one? Decisions, decisions. No wonder my realtor had such a time finding a house for us. We had multiple sets of criteria to go with different price points. I feel like I'm in the same quandary right now except on a much smaller scale.

As much as I am in love with all my vintage Singer's (17 and counting), my opinion is to skip the zig-zag attachment. If you want zig-zag and you want a Singer then go for one (like the 401) that has built-in zig-zag.

Shari

Ditto what Shari said. I've never been able to get the ZZ attachment to make nice even stitches.

Joe

Any one know how heavy the 401 is? I know the 301 is billed as portable.

401 = 22 lbs.

301 = 16 lbs,

Shari

I'm just afraid to put something on a machine that makes it do something that it wasn't designed to do. No zig-zaggers for me. JMO

IF you decide to sell the table and it is for a 301 longbed and you are in Illinois, Ohio, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Virginia or California please let me know....

The zigzag attachments are not accurate at all. You will never be happy doing anything that requires accuracy.

I have both the 301 and 401 and it's really like comparing apples to grapefruits. You need to decide if a zigzag is necessary and go from there. The 401 does straight line quilting fine, but it does NOT free motion well at all. So, if this will be needed, you should also think about that.

I'd go with a 301. Mine was a rescue and works great - lighter weight, too. Never could get a zigzagger to work.

The thing is, a ZZ machine holds the fabric steady and moves the needle bar side to side to create the ZZ stitch.

A ZZ attachment moves the fabric side to side to create the ZZ stitch while the needle bar remains in the same place. The attachment is totally dependent on the vertical stroke of the needle bar. The shorter the stroke, the narrower the stitch. Also the attachment foot moving side to side makes it difficult to impossible to keep the stitch line straight.

So, go for the 401 if you need the ZZ capability.

Oh, light weight is sometimes a detriment. The lighter the machine, the more it will move around on you as your trying to sew.


Joe