a dreaded sewing question ?

The Singer 301 is a relatively undiscovered gem for quilters on the go. It uses the same bobbin case and bobbins as the FW, is light-weight, even more portable as it has a built-in handle. It weighs a couple of pounds more than the FW, but is a full-sized machine with lots of room for fabric under the arm. These machines are often found in cabinets of the usual Singer variety, but instead of being hinged in, have a quick-release lever that allows you to pick up the machine by the handle and head out the door. It's also a slant-needle machine, which is great for finicky work as you can see the needle much better. The stitch is the same as the FW, a beautiful straight stitch.

You about covered it. :) Good job. A while back a bunch of us here put our heads together and wrote an FAQ about which sewing machine to buy. Penny S. is gracious enough to give that a home on her site. Here's a link

You might refer him to that page. My very best suggestion is for him to take her shopping for the machine. You definitely gave a very good answer.

Sharon

Well... I've discussed this before several times, but I can say it again! :) Singer do some excellent machines and some that are a disaster! Knowing which is what is the key...

About two and a half years ago I bought my mum a new Singer 117 Featherweight II (now superseded by the 118). FOR THE MONEY, it's a very good little machine. Stitch quality is good, it has a useful handful of utility and decorative stitches, and my ONLY dislike of it was the needle threader (THE ONLY built in needle threader I've ever had any time for is the one on my Bernina 1150MDA serger! That one works!). It's light, it's small: don't expect the penetration power of a full sized Husqvarna or Bernina, or an old singer 66. It's a bit bigger than the old featherweights, and about the same weight as the old one without the box. For quality of stitches on quilting cotton, I have to say this little thing matched my Featherweight, which is an excellent example built in about 1954 or so... Having more stitches makes it more versatile. AND it was half the price I see those going for!

Another one I quite liked was the Frister & Rossman Cub SP. That too is a neat little machine with good stitch quality. I also hear good things of the Janome Gem.

I don't say these things lightly: I have several old black Singer machines and my Husqvarna Lily 550, plus a nice Bernina 1005. The Singer 117 compares well on stitch quality on fabrics it can handle. DO NOT try to feed it denim or curtain fabric, or Polartec 300!

Best that your friend takes his mum out to try them all out and see what SHE likes!

Yes Kate, I agree - what is it with these supposed time-saving needle threaders.

My recent machine is a Singer. I like them most of the time, but cannot for the life of me get the built in threader to work :-(

Katherine

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Thanks for reply Joanne, but if we are going to talk about the 301 should we also mention the 404 ?

but then again there is no handle on 404

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Thanks Kate for all the ideas, Sounds like Singer portables could be a possibility after all, well that is if the Mom likes.

thanks again for your time to reply and all the ideas, robb

The 404 isn't so portable, although it can be put in a case and called "portable."

Several of us here have 401s that we consider one of the best sewing machines ever made, and we use them. They're solid metal, have that fantastic stitch quality, and also have a good assortment of zig-zag stitches. It's our experience that we use straight stitch the most, a simple zig-zag second, the blind-hem stitch third, buttonholes probably fourth - and the 401 can do all of these things. Plus there are some "cute" decorative stitches and a true two-needle stitch.

When you bring up the 401, others may chime in because we love our 401s.

Ding, ding, ding...

Just chiming in here...

Beverly, another devoted 401A fan