How to Use a Singer 401a Vintage Sewing Machine - Wind a bobbin, thread it, use every stitch pattern
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- čas přidán 3. 03. 2018
- Stevie will show you how to use a vintage Singer 401a Slant Shank sewing machine. You will learn to wind a bobbin, thread the machine, and use every stitch pattern it has to offer.
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You are doing a great job. I am 70 years old and have been sewing for 60 years and I could not have done it any better than you.
Steve you are the only person who has taken time to show some of the special stitches
There are some who repair those singer singers but they just show straight and zig zag.Thank you!
Thats why its called Lets explore some of its features. Most people never used the extra stuff in the machine cause they don't know how to use them or set the machine. Im glad you liked the extra bits :D.
That would be me. 401 is my best machine !
I am happy I found you.
The cams ! I have sew many and never used them properly. Until tmw!!! You Rock.
I have watch your videos on this model. I just convinced my mother to let me have her old machine, the machine that I learned on when I was 6 years old. Over two decades later I pull it out of a shed, it hasn’t been used in over 20years and without you I don’t think I would have gotten the motor to work again, nor have gotten it unjammed to be able to spin again.
Thank you. This has brought me so much joy. You are an incredible teacher thank you!
Your welcome.
You are really fantastic teacher ....Thanx a lot for super vids ...
You are welcome!
Excellent demonstration by Stevie. Learned some more things. This machine is incredible. Stevie is a great teacher and understands the technical aspects as well.
This video was so helpful! Thanks Stevie
I like your videos, it’s obvious you know what you are talking about. I’d love to see you demo the accessory feet!
Thats a great Idea Ill see what I can do on that.
I found a 401a for $50 but I spent good money getting it un-frozen and set up by a good technician. I use this machine exclusively over my older Kenmore and a more recent Janome my mother used. It sews beautifully the heavier fabrics that I have to sew, it's the best machine I have ever used, it's my favorite!!! Just a few weeks ago I also found the buttonholer for $5.00 at a thrift store too.😀
Thanks for sharing
Hi, I have to say, watching your video answered several questions. I have gotten into learning upholstery, and I don’t want to spend a lot on my first machine. I was given a singer 401a machine, and it’s great. Now I have to learn to use it. Bring on the knowledge. Thanks for your videos.
Excellent video. Thanks very much. I commend you for your valuable public service. ^^
Hubby bought me a 401A at an Estate Sale this weekend, I love old machines but don't know how to work on them or basically anything about them but love how they sew. So I've watched a couple of You Tubes about my (new to me) machine while I wait for a power cord to come in hoping my machine is in running condition. I just want to tell you that I completely enjoyed this video as well as the one about cleaning/oiling and greasing a 401A. You explained everything in layman terms and didn't go too fast ect. Thanks so very much!
thanks for this video. Just picked up my 401a. Why would anyone need any other machine. Just great! Im a fan!!
You're welcome. They are fantastic machines!
Another great video. I’m so excited as I’m picking up my 401G on Friday.
Thanks for vid! Got my 411g all set up with these vids.
Thanks sewwwwwwww much for this great helpful video. I’m going to go and play with my cams 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻♥️🐨♥️
Have fun!
6 layers of heavy duty denim... like butter :O
Yep They can be a useful machine.
Great videos! Watched both. I just picked up a 401a at auction for 10 bucks. You have really inspired me. Wish me luck. I like the way the thread picks up the blue in your hair:)
Your videos are so helpful - thank you!
I bought a 401a yesterday, so your video is very helpful, thank you!
Glad I could help!
Thank you! I watched a couple videos and this helped the most
Love these videos! You rock!!
Congratulations on the excellent demonstration. you have a lot of patience for to teach. Thank you very much!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you sr, for your informstion, was excelent
You are most welcome
I'm coming back to this one! I've got this machine and I love it, but it can be temperamental. But now I think it's been user error. If after watching this I can't get it to behave then I'm going to go ahead and get a new 6600 series. Thanks for showing me how to properly thread this amazing machine!
I used to ha've an old sears Kenmore that I bought in 1976 and it sewed those same stitches.It didn't use cans though.That was a great machine.I sometimes wish I still had it.
You can plug the power plug on the side the other way, so that the cord goes towards the wall, and out of the way.
Thanks for the great Video
Wonderful stuff! 👍
Totally awesome videos. Very detailed and understandable.
Super impressive, it's like a semi-industrial, I just saw one, the guy is selling it for $20, it needs alot of love but I think I'm gonna buy it just for the fun to put it back on track. If I fail, it cost me $20 but I'll won in experience.
Worse Case you got 20 dollars of alum Breakage you could recycle or a parts machine to sell to some one needing stuff to restore theres. But oil it up well most likly it will work just fine.
That was a really good video. Just picked up one at a sale. Thank you very much.
Glad it helped
Great video clips !Thanks
Many thanks!
Super cool😎
I am so grateful for your videos! I have had my 401A for a long time my grandmother gave it to me just before she passed but I never really knew how to use all the features before your video ❤️ the only thing I need to know now is how to install a new slide plate spring...can you help me ☺️
Gracias por esa información tan valiosa . Cordial saludo desde Colombia.
Thank you! This helped me so much.
Glad it helped!
Muchas gracias por este maravilloso video, aprendi mucho de mi maquina, nueva para mi.
Sorry I dont understand you.
Thank you so so much
You're welcome!
I loved it, now I just want to practice different stitches on mine!
Thank you! Nice.
Your Welcome.
Another great video! I would just like to stress that you were sewing the denim and the leather with a universal size 12 needle, not a denim sharp needle or a leather needle, and the 401A still sewed like a champ. Such an impressive machine. I have yet to use any of the other cams on my 403. Will service it per your previous video, and put all the cams through their paces now that I've watched your very clear demo. Thank you so much!
Your Totally Right. I didnt bother changing to specialized needles.
Thanks a lot.
Your Welcome.
Would you be willing to send a link where to purchase the led lightbulb. The original bulb is so dim. Thank you and love the extremely informative video. Love love love my 401A. One thing that I haven’t seen anyone do when making the videos for this machine is a stretch stitch on knit fabric. I realize people want to see the thickness and stitch test. I personally believe knits are in demand and more people are going with new machines that offer a stretch stitch or a serger not realizing a close zigzag stitch on these machines works extremely well. Thanks for the video.
I LOVE YOU and i love your videos. You saved me and showed me how to oil my 401a machine. I have a problem tho that makez me want to cry in frustration. My machine started to labor and make some clacking noise. I opened the foot plate and noticed the position bracket has slipped out and I dont know how to get it back in. Please help. I would have no faith in anyone else but you. Thanks Kathy Hooker.
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. If its that little plate that locks in the Bobbin case that thing is tricky. Always takes me a few seconds to remember exaclty how it goes. But I can tell you this if you have to force it with a screw driver or other tool thats wrong. it should snap over easy. Check your bobbin case and make sure its seated in correclty and not full of lint.
Esta es una buena maquina .
I wonder if anyone uses those stitches on anything and I also want to say that your videos are great
Not sure. I know I use quite a few of the kenmore stretch stitches. Its part of the reason why I still down own a cover stitch machine. I cant justify it because there just so good esp with the qfoot.
I have the 500 and I’m having trouble getting the various stitches to work. Any thoughts on what adjustments are needed. It sews a straight line beautifully.
what a beautiful machine! i have the singer 500a.....my father in law had he bought it new , used it like 5xs .....,,but it’s bobbin winder doesn’t work and it’s so slow sewing....
thank you:)
i just got this 401a with a sharon hall singer cabinet. i’m so in love
Interesting. There is someone selling this machine on Market Place, and describing a problem with the bobbin case.
I loved my Slant Singer 401 Sewing machine. I bought it in 1993. I gave it to my daughter when I bought a new machine. I know this demo was done a year or so ago, but how can I buy one for my friend who finds the newer machines and not heavy enough for the crafts she is doing? I loved the video and will be going to my daughter and show her the video on how to oil and grease the 401. Keep showing us how to do it.
If I had one to sell you I totally would. Unfortunaly I only own the one I have. Even though I rarely use it Im not apt to sell it yet. If you dig around youll see the video on the motor upgrade for the 40x series. I did this to both my 403 and 401. I really dont wanna get ride of them after all that work.
What is that black thin name you in the top
Thank you Steve for your excellent videos. I recently bought a 401a not realizing all the issues it has. I am going to follow your steps on servicing it in another video of yours as it is sluggish and erratic. The thread on the bottom of the of the material looks ok until I speed up then it bunches up and eventually breaks. It sews a straight line and zigzags fine at a slow speed only but the rest of the stitches do not look like they are pictured. I have changed the length and width. I can see it is trying to do something but the results are not as they should be. What can I look for to correct this? Can it be corrected? Thank you
Im sure it can be. Im guessing the machine is still sticky. Pretty common for them. There is a deal that rides on the cam stack and what looks like a flap. on a arm as well. All of that should move extreamly free. If it does not then most of your stitches will look funny. I suggest you soak the machine down with Triflow and let it creep into the machine if you havent done so already. Sorry for the slow delay ive been pretty busy. Best to hit us up on facebook.
I just brought home a 401a. Your maintenance video is inspiring. :) My machine is currently sewing, but with some limitations - I'm trying to figure out if what I'm seeing is a feature or a bug. It only came with one cam - the #2 scallop cam. I've been able to set it to AK and straight stitch. The needle is stuck in the number 1 position, so the straight stitch is offset to the left. If I change to the zig-zag settings, nothing happens. I can't figure out if I'm supposed to be using a different cam - or if something inside is stuck.
I searched around to see what the "default" cam is for someone who only plans to use the straight stitch and zig zag stitch. Is the default no cam or do I need the zero cam? Or can you do the straight and plain zig zag with any cam inserted? I looked through the manual as well and it seems assumed that everyone already knows what is going on in the cam department when doing the basic stitches. I'm going to check inside and make sure everything is moving freely - but I'm still confused about the cams. :)
Cams just add more stitches then whats in the machines camstack. ZigZag and the SS is built in sounds like you still got some sticky parts in there. Keep soaking it down with triflow it will free up.
from the very beginning I learned...that ....we can move the thread back and forth to get that bobbin wound evenly!!!! who knew :)
I have Eaton 564r ie mtg by white can you a sevicice demo. I especially like to you do you presentation.
Hi Stevie, I inherited my mother in law's Singer Slant-O-Matic 401, which is in excellent condition. Thank you so much for your tutorial on how to work it and do the maintenance . You've made it easier to understand. Would you please see if you can do the same for the Singer 4411. I'm fairly new at sewing and it has locked up. The fabric gets caught in metal plate where the bobbin is housed. did I break my machine?
I dont own a Singer 4411 to make a video of. And I probably never will. Those are use up throw away machines. I havent actually torn one apart but I would imagine the insides have plastic workings. Not like the Vintage machines. At 189.99 for a brand new one not even sure there really worth putten lots of mainance into honeslty.
Thank you for your most valuable opinion.
I love the color of your hair. Thank you for a very informative video.I have 3 machines; Singer from Walmart, Bradford Deluxe zig zag , and a Sears Kenmore (72-74 model) My go to is the Sears Kenmore but I would really like to get the Bradford Deluxe ready to sew. Someone advised me to purchase a light and motor block for it since it has 2 plugs for the light and the motor. Is that the only way to go with that type of machine? Or can it be directly wired to a foot pedal?
Got me with out seeing the wireing diagram I have no idea. Ive never owned a Bradford.
@@SewSaveMe I understand and thank you for your videos. They have helped me so much.
I love you. I love my 401a. I desperately need a screw to the bobbin that changes the tension. Do you have a video about tensions?
No I sure dont yet.
@@SewSaveMe thanks for answering to my concern. A friend of mine is on her way to Springfield,I'll to purchase a singer 401a for 50.00. so excited. Now I plan to clean our other 3 401a's. According to your video using the spray you used. I know I sound nuts but I love this stuff. We sew about 300 baby blankets for our local hospital, so every new baby gets a special blanket free. We have a small group of 4 and we won't use anything but 401a. For I'm so chatty I felt like I'm talking to a celebrity. Love your video's. Still need the screw. How about a list of all the cleaning products you use since you talk so fast and I'm to slow. Thanks
Malinda Triflow is my cleaning product. I dont usally wash out the machines with any thing. I just flush triflow though them and it will break down the old tar and old oils and if you keep the machine serviced with triflow eventually the inside of it will look like new even if its super tared up. I tend to let them drip dry on a white towel so I can see how nasty and yellow it is after triflow is done dripping. Triflow is my fav when it drys out it leave a layer of tefflon in its wake prevents the machine from sticking and gumming up. As far as the machine its self I usually jsut wipe it down with the triflow soaked rage after its done drip drying. The only other thing I do is I do turtle wax my machines esp the bed. I like them slick. And Ive been known to wear the paint right off the beds I found every 6 months wax the beds and it prevents that.
sometimes you can rough up old slippery rubber rings like on the bobbin unit with some sandpaper
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. I do this my self. Esp if the old tire looks ok. New tires are very cheap and usally arent made near to spec as the vintage ones.
Thank you so much for your videos! I used one of them to unfreeze my Singer 401 Slant o Matic. I still have issue with the pressure foot tension and I'm not sure what to do. It seems too heavy for ordinary stitching, but when I go over multiple layers it stays stitchi ng in place in a big tangle. I changed presser foots to one that looked more like a regular one, but there was no tension at all. Do you have a video on pressure foot assembly tension?
I dont have a video for that. But its a good suggestion for another video.
My clutch is stuck on my machine. I bought it used obviously and it's stuck pretty hard, anything I can use to get it unstuck?
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. You could try heating it with a hair dryer and see if that helps Ive had mix results with that. I usually end up using a set of channel locks, A rag over the chrom knob so I dont scuff it all up. and some one to hold the hand wheel. Be Careful doing this. And make sure your going the right direction you dont want to strip any thing.
I have one of these. Are you able to reverse? I can't find that feature on mine.
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. You should be able to yes. The stitch length lever if you pull it all the way down thats reverse. Check your manual it covers this and when to use it like back tacking :)
Is this the machine that you exchanged the motor from a Singer 620? If so, is this after the conversion? I have this machine and the motor is wimpy. I need to be able to hem jeans and mine just refuses to sew anything heavy.
No it is not. That has the stock .6 amp motor. You might wanna make sure the machine is oiled really really well with triflow and perhaps service the motor. It should sew jeans. Just not 10 layers of it.
I cant get my bl5 zigzag nothing close and BM either. What am i doing wrong or is there something wrong with the machine?
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. Not 100 percent sure. But I would recommend you soak the machine down heavy with triflow to make sure EVERY thing is free otherwise they dont ZZ very well even if there slightly sticky. Very common for the 401a.
When trying to wind thread onto the bobbin, it winds, then stops. Winds, then stops. I apply pressure, it winds, stops, etc. Does anyone know what the problem is? The wheel seems to be in good condition and the clutch turns rapidly without any problem. Thanks
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. There is a metal plate behind the bobbin winder that pushes the bobbin out when it fills up. There a Little screw that lets you adjust this. Try that guy. Always takes me a few trys until Im happy with it.
Steve, last week I purchased a singer 401A for $19 at goodwill. It’s missing the owner cord and presser feet. I’ve downloaded it’s manual, and I still don’t understand those special
inserts. Mine came with one that has a #2 on it. Could you show us more about those special bits pretty please with sugar on it??
Not sure exaclty what you mean. But I think your talking about a cam. The 401 and 403 has a pile of them that they can accept. The 401 is more saught after because it has a lotta cams built in and dont need as many to to do the full line of stitches.
Hi! I saw this machine in a used ad here in Brazil - I need a machine that fits two buttonholes that I bought in the United States, but they are for slant shank machines - is this machine that slant shank? Which and how many parts are part of the set of this machine? If you can answer my questions, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
theres to many feet and part number to begin listing. But It is a slant shank machine if thats helpful.
@@SewSaveMe Goodnight! I contacted the seller and, today, I bought the Singer 431g - the sewing machine is in perfect condition, there are no oxidized parts, all accessories are in perfect condition. The machine looks like it came out of the factory - it must have been forgotten in some office or shop! It's unbelievable! I have to confess that I just didn't like the color - it looks like guava! Thank you for your help
Having issues with tension on this unit. Tread keeps breaking. What am I doing wrong ?
Mine was doing that too. I was screaming and so frustrated, tried cleaning myself and adjusting tension, ended up calling around and taking it in to be professionally serviced. $76 later and it is running like a charm. But gets hot from the light! I'd like to change that.
You are a great teacher. My only confusion was about the bulb. I just bought this same machine. And I have pretty bad eyes. Are you saying you do recommend an LED bulb?
I do there brighter and dont make your head unit piping hot.
Does this machine have a chain stitch attachment?
Not with out stealing parts from the G Model machine. Very hard and rare to find. And Expensive usally if they know what it is.
Is it okay to use a plastic bobbin in this machine?
You can try it. Mine hated them.
why does my Singer 401A sew so slow.
Im sorry for the Delayed Responce I had no idea youtube was holding the comments until now. Most likly its still stickey from old old and gunk. Oil ti heavy with triflow. And if it dont fix it look into the motor. The bearings never get greased or oiled in them and found lots of these in the wild and the motors were sluggish. Check my geared motor video.
I inherited one of these from my godmother. It works beautifully; after a bit of servicing. Lol. I won’t give it up for love or money,
Fortunately you find this true with a lot of machines. It usually takes Death before they can be passed on to the next user. I know this Mine wont go to the next user until I die. And I got it from an estate auction that the lady has passed. One of the great things about the machine not only will it out last you it will most likely outlast the next user and the user after that as long as they watch my videos on how to keep it working. :)
Nice video sir. What's with the funny outfit?
Why not?
Tempted to thumbs-down this video... That coffee is disappointingly small. 😂😁
I know I couldnt find my big cup that day.