Hello!!
I am so excited! I thrifted this vintage Singer sewing machine from the mid 1950's. It was definitely full of old & yellowed grease and hadn't been cleaned in a while. It was in dire need of a tune up/servicing. It was in great condition for being almost 70 years old, and it still ran!
I did a little research about this marvelous machine, and here's what I found out:
The Singer model 301A was especially designed to be released in commemoration of Singer's centennial anniversary (100 years!!) in 1952. Between it's first year test run in 1951 and it's final year of production in 1957, the Singer 301A was the first in a long line of "Slant Shank" sewing machines. The needle of the machine is crafted at a 9° angle, providing a better view of the presser foot and fabric while stitching.
Photo courtesy of Singer301.com
Singer used this Slant Shank system (later even naming the 401A the Slant-O-Matic!) as a way to secure it's market share after the War (World War II) to compete with less expensive but quality machines coming from overseas. Slant Shank machines were marketed/distributed to schools, universities, and home economics classes all over the United States.
Photo from Singer 301A Manual
This machine is a direct drive all-steel gear model (no belt) with an electric motor. These gears were made in the Singer Factory in Anderson, South Carolina (that's what the A is for!).
The cool thing about these gears is that they were heat set to ensure a proper set between the gear teeth. You must mark the specific gear teeth on each gear if you disassemble it, otherwise the set won't exactly match. The machine will operate, but it won't operate at it's optimal factory set condition.
This machine features a vertical rotary hook style bobbin, which makes a stronger and more reliable stitch than horizontal bobbins (the kind that is under the presser foot & the fabric goes over it to stitch).
The 301 is named after the type 301 lockstitch, which is a very strong, even (1:1) straight stitch. A lockstitch is just interlocking needle and bobbin thread (instead of chain loops). This metal beast can sew up to 1,600 (ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED) Stitches Per Minute. And they still perform that well, even 60+ years later!!!! Modern made sewing machines are mainly constructed out of plastic parts ( that wear and crack with time) and often can max around 800 SPM.
This video shows the beige 301A in the back, and a new black Janome HD3000 in the front.
Notice how fast the needle shaft/shank moves on the 301A compared to the Janome.
The model number of my machine is NA206597. It has a motor with a lubrication tube, so that dates it between 1952-1955. It is technically a 301A-2. It features one connected outlet for both power and pedal, which was a marketing feature as a portable machine. The outside body is made of aluminum.
This machine was in dire need of a thorough cleaning and lubricating. It was loud and noisy and smelled like an old auto garage. Using a repair manual, and lots of videos online (mostly from Andy Tube on Youtube, who's videos were an invaluable guide and confidence booster!), I got to work restoring this beautiful piece of machinery.
The top piece comes off and that is how you can clean the top gears. There are holes for daily oiling so you do not have to unscrew the top each time. The black wire you see is the wiring from the motor to the light.
I used Tri-Flow lubricating spray to help loosen the old grime and grit in it. The PPD formula is safe for old machines (NOT ALL oil/ grease/ cleaners are safe for sewing machines!) and will break down old gunk while safely lubricating the gears.
I took out everything I could except the factory set gears, as I didn't want to even risk misaligning the gears and have the machine not run at peak performance.
I used Gojo non pumice cleaner and Krud Klutter to clean the exterior and many parts on the interior. I used a few toothbrushes, q tips, and small cups to soak some of the more rusted/dirty pieces.
All in all this machine was in excellent condition! The whole process of disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly took about 2 days.
This is the only plastic part on the 301A. It's called Textolite, and it was VERY popular in the 1950's (think countertops and kitchen cabinets). This stuff is a composite of cross hatched woven fibers and Bakelite. This stuff is not the plastic in common use today. This is extremely durable and built to last. As you can see in the photos, there is hardly any wear on the plastic teeth almost 70 years later. Wow!
This nifty piece off the machine is the glass to focus the SINGERLIGHT. It helps to focus the bright light on the needle area, helps with eye fatigue, and keeps you from burning your fingers! I wanted to include a clip of a video to really give you the perspective of the quality. That glass is especially molded and is all in one piece. Look how thick it is! I am so in awe of the craftsmanship and quality that went into these mass produced machines. They were essentially factory hand-made/hand-crafted compared to today's machines.
Speaking of it's mass production, I was surprised at how few of theses machines were actually produced. There was 700,000 machines made over 1951 - 1957. Not even a million ever existed! The Singer model 301A was designed to be the first "portable" machine, meaning it could be placed in a cradle to use in a sewing table, or kept in it's travel case.
There are long bed and short bed versions. My model is a long bed (the short bed is literally just a few inches shorter to fit in the tables, but still folds up to expose the bobbin case).
Singer produced 70% Short beds (490.000) and 30% Long beds (210.000). There are less long beds, probably because they wanted to sell more complete machine and table sets. There were several options for sewing table models as well.
Notice in this last ad the text: "Easy Budget Terms - Liberal Trade-In Allowances" on the right hand column. This was how Singer really made it's mark in becoming the premiere sewing machine company in the United States and around the world. Payment plans were available for the machines (dating back even before the 301A) so that more folks had access to these essential appliances and they ended up in more and more homes.
How much did a Singer 301A machine cost in 1953?
According to Threads Magazine in 1951 a Singer 301A with cabinet, stool, and accessories/feet was priced at $348.00. That's $3,579.19 in 2022! It's no wonder Singer opted to have more machines sold under payment plans and credit, as that was about 10-15% of an average family's income in the early 1950's. Combined with the frequent distribution and contracts with schools, Singer really excelled in the marketing and promotion of their home machines.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
With a .7 amp motor and all steel gear driven parts, it's simplistic but effective mechanical design has lent some to call the Singer 301/301A the "Best Straight Sewing Machine- EVER."
I can totally see why; It's fast, smooth, and will probably outlive me with proper care and maintenance. Starting after 1960 (the Rocketeer series), Singer transitioned to plastic gears, cams, and adopted an engineering model of built in obsolescence.
Perhaps they were realizing that the distribution of fast fashion, combined with less people learning sewing skills, was going to eventually cause there to be less demand for machines and they wanted to ensure they'd keep selling them? Today, it's a given that a domestic sewing machine is primarily made of plastic with digital components that cannot be maintained.
Whatever the reason, I am so excited to have found this machine and restored it to it's performance glory! I am in awe of the engineering and craftsmanship that went into this almost 70 year old appliance. AND IT STILL WORKS BEAUTIFULLY!
Sustainability is definitely Art.
Let me know what you think of this machine. Have you ever sewed on one? Does someone you know have an old vintage machine kicking around?? I'd love to hear about it.
Thanks for Reading!
xoxo ~Jackie Olivia
Insta: @ByJackieOlivia
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