The Newest Addition

A few weeks ago, munchkin and I wandered through the ACS thrift shop as we usually do before heading into the grocery store. On this day we saw two vintage sewing machines in cabinets and one cabinet without a machine. One of the machines was a beige Singer 401 slant needle. As I am wont to do, I opened all the drawers to look through them. There were some extra presser feet, a buttonholer attachment, half a dozen or so extra bobbins, tens of extra needles including twin needles and a complete manual and maintenance kit. I sighed and walked away. There was no place to put it. I did take photos though. To remember her by.

Fast forward to just about two weeks ago and another visit to the thirft shop. Of the machines, the Singer is still there. It’s a really good price still, and the shop is have a 25% off everything special. I aked if they knew if it ran. Mark ran an extension cord, we plugged it in and tested. Purred like a kitten. My resistance completely evaporated.

Today we, the 401 and I, spent some time together. She got a good cleaning and an oiling. Part of the cleaning and oiling included removing the top cover. It was after this process that I realized there was a fashion disc in place. After taking that out and examining it, I realized I had a box of these from when I acquired a Singer Touch ‘n’Sew from Goodwill. A quick confirmed that these were completely interchangeable. Also in this box were some specialty presser feet and as well as cams for the Featherweight’s buttonholer.

A test drive shows beautiful stitching, and led to me finally mending the pair of munchkin’s jammie pants that needed it.

It’s been an exciting day.

Singer 401 Slant Needle in Cabinet on the day she came home.

Maintenance Kit

Feet w/the 401 (L-R) general presser foot, narrow hemmer, special purpose, zipper, special purpose with the buttonholer in the background.

Extra presser feet from the Touch ‘n’ Sew (L-R) button foot, zipper, special purpose, 3 general purpose, multi-slotted bias binder, ruffler, unknown

Fashion discs (L-R T-B)zig zag, arrowhead, diamond, solid scallop, icicle, multi zigzag, ball, ribbon, shag, solid pyramid, walls of Troy, chevron