Can I just say thank you! My mom died at 46. I had her 403A completely refurbished. You were so clear that I think I have it, on basic threading. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The thing that breaks my heart is to say “Don’t get old. I would have given anything to see her get old. Be grateful, suck as aches and pains are. You are a gift to your family.
Thank you for this video! This is, by far, the easiest, clearest - including VISUALLY - most straightforward demo video for the 401a I’ve found so far. 🥰
Thanks for the helpful video! My mom, who recently passed away, always mended my clothes. I inherited her Singer 401a and I'm learning how to use it. She was a great seamstress and many of my clothes when I was a kid.
I am so beyond thrilled that you took the time to create and post this video, your skills were excellent in my opinion, great, clear angles. You have helped me tremendously!
Thank you so much for this video. I just picked one up from goodwill the other day. I can’t believe the marvel of engineering these things are! Amazing video and perfectly detailed
Correction 9:32 the red lever is better left in the middle when changing the patterns with the two knobs. In fact, when the red lever is at 1 (left) it is easier to pull and rotate the second knob. When the red lever is at 5 (right), it is easier to push and rotate the front knob. You can operate the knobs at any position of the red lever, it's just that the knobs may be harder to push/pull and rotate. If you remove the top cover, you find out why - each knob is connected to a vertical rod, when these rods are properly greased - use grease instead of oil - the two knobs are much easier to operate.
I disagree. When the red lever is at 1, the cam followers are disengaged from the pattern cam and thus, easy to move the pattern selector up and down the camstack. When the red lever is moved between 1 and 5, the pattern selector cam followers are pushing against the cams and make it difficult to move. Because this model is over 60 years old, more often than not, the pattern selector cam follower sliders have varnishing from old oil and it makes them stick, so I scrub them thoroughly with tetrachloroethylene solvent to remove old oil or grease before lubricating. Some greases will not harden up over time, some will not work well.
Thanks so much! This has been the most helpful tutorial I've been able to find. I love my 401 and finally have it all cleaned up but didn't have the threading correct.
I have a Singer 401g which was used by my gran and mum it has been passed to me. I had no idea how to use it. Thank you very much for your clear tutorial x
Actually plastic bobbins are far better for all the "Slant-O-Matic" machines.. The reason is that the metal bobbins will wear the bottom of the bobbin case thin and cause issues.. In addition, unless you have vintage bobbins, the center of newer metal bobbins will catch thread and jam.
That is interesting, because Singer did not make a # 401 until 1957. Singer introduced zigzag machines in 1952, with the introduction of the # 206 machine..
Excellent video,,I'm not even through the whole video and it's making sense now as I try and do some repairs . it's amazing that I remember the motions my mom did as she sewed,,that it makes sense now.thanks so much,I'm super happy to be using my mom's 401a. I picked up a super basic kenmore at a garage sale,,but I feel like this is singer is in my blood.
Thank you! I have both my grandmother's and my mother's 401a's which were purchased new when I was eight (yep, I'm a seasoned citizen) and love them! Wish you were here as Mom's is in need of help because it spent too many years close to the ocean, but I'm going to get it back in shape somehow and it shall fly again!
Is there a manual I can download and print from somewhere? I've searched, but am having trouble finding one that is actually from the Singer corp. My Mom has this machine, I grew up learning on it, but it's been 45 years or more since I used it! It still runs, but there is a big problem in getting the thread to run through smoothly. It's like it is really, REALLY tight and keeps breaking the thread. This video is the BEST I've seen yet - Thank you for putting it out here !!
hi thank you so much for this video i inherited this machine from my mom and i did know how to use it somewhat as a child i could do small projects in the 80s i would alter my jeans to make strait legs lol but i haven't used it for years it was actually in my garage collecting dust so i took it to a shop and they thoroughly cleaned it and got it in good shape again but i had forgotten how to do the bobbin i kinda remembered how to thread it but watching you brought it all back my mom got this machine as a young bride in the 50s this thing is a beast they sure don't make anything like this anymore i'm so proud now to have this machine hoping to do some sewing projects with my grand daughters oh wanted to ask where do i get those bobbins bought some metal ones but they don't even fit the bobbin winder thanks again!!
hola, usa los subtitulos, ve a la rueda de ajustes, dale a subtitulos, dale a generar automaticamente, se abre una ventana y elige español, veras que salen los subtitulos en español, si no puedes escribeme aqui te ayudo
Thank you so much for explaining BL…I’ve inherited my Mom’s 401J and it is quite similar to this one here. Now I don’t have the manual for it but I heard that I could free motion quilt on it when you lift the throat plate…I’ve tried it last night but had no success. Not sure if I need a presser foot? Does anyone know? Thank you
2.0 mm is metric, this machine uses stitches per inch. I would suggest un-threading the machine, marking two lines across a piece of parer 20mm (2 CM) apart then, with the needle piercing the paper exactly on the first line, stitch 10 more needle holes into the paper. Adjust the stitch length until the last hole is exactly on the second line. That gives you 10 stitches exactly 2.0mm apart.
FYI: Plastic bobbins are junk. They will cause many problems sewing. They do not run smooth in the bobbin case. Many people who think they have sewing issues just need to throw away the plastic bobbin and use a metal one. Just saying...
If you can get genuine Singer class 66 metal bobbins, they will be good. The problem with aftermarket metal bobbins is they are most often slightly larger, fit too tightly in the bobbin case and drag which causes tension issues. I have used literally thousands of plastic bobbins since the 80's when the metal bobbins gave us so much trouble. In my experience the plastic are far superior.
No need to trash talk plastic bobbins. You do need to use the specific type or style of bobbin for the machine being used. There are subtle differences in plastic bobbins used in different brands of sewing machines and even different models in the same brand. For example, the Singer that I used in the late 1970s required a plastic bobbins the unscrewed and separated in the middle. Made it easy to remove the thread when it got low. But that bobbin in any other Singer would produce messy stitches everytime, even though the bobbin fit. Some of the old machines have to use generic bobbins today because they don't make the original bobbins anymore. Like the machine my dad bought for Mom from a traveling door-to-door salesman in 1967. Think it was a Capital? Mom used it until it was stolen in 2018 (grrr). Anyway, if a plastic bobbin doesn't work for you, try different ones until you get one that does produce good stitches.
bobbin thread is positioned so that thread runs counter clockwise in the bobbin holder. Counterclockwise or clockwise, the thread will still come “down off the bottom, “so your description of how to position the bobbin was ridiculous and useless.
Can I just say thank you! My mom died at 46. I had her 403A completely refurbished. You were so clear that I think I have it, on basic threading. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The thing that breaks my heart is to say “Don’t get old. I would have given anything to see her get old. Be grateful, suck as aches and pains are. You are a gift to your family.
Thank you for this video! This is, by far, the easiest, clearest - including VISUALLY - most straightforward demo video for the 401a I’ve found so far. 🥰
I agree completely.
Thanks for the helpful video! My mom, who recently passed away, always mended my clothes. I inherited her Singer 401a and I'm learning how to use it. She was a great seamstress and many of my clothes when I was a kid.
Your close ups and clear directions more than make up for few shaky shots. Thank you so much!
I am so beyond thrilled that you took the time to create and post this video, your skills were excellent in my opinion, great, clear angles. You have helped me tremendously!
Thank you so much for this video. I just picked one up from goodwill the other day. I can’t believe the marvel of engineering these things are! Amazing video and perfectly detailed
Correction 9:32 the red lever is better left in the middle when changing the patterns with the two knobs. In fact, when the red lever is at 1 (left) it is easier to pull and rotate the second knob. When the red lever is at 5 (right), it is easier to push and rotate the front knob. You can operate the knobs at any position of the red lever, it's just that the knobs may be harder to push/pull and rotate. If you remove the top cover, you find out why - each knob is connected to a vertical rod, when these rods are properly greased - use grease instead of oil - the two knobs are much easier to operate.
I disagree. When the red lever is at 1, the cam followers are disengaged from the pattern cam and thus, easy to move the pattern selector up and down the camstack. When the red lever is moved between 1 and 5, the pattern selector cam followers are pushing against the cams and make it difficult to move. Because this model is over 60 years old, more often than not, the pattern selector cam follower sliders have varnishing from old oil and it makes them stick, so I scrub them thoroughly with tetrachloroethylene solvent to remove old oil or grease before lubricating. Some greases will not harden up over time, some will not work well.
Thanks a lot, Paul. Mutch appreciated. Very clear explanations with visual clarity.
Colin UK.
Thanks so much! This has been the most helpful tutorial I've been able to find. I love my 401 and finally have it all cleaned up but didn't have the threading correct.
I have a Singer 401g which was used by my gran and mum it has been passed to me. I had no idea how to use it. Thank you very much for your clear tutorial x
The 401g is the German model and the only difference is the top lid it's on an angle and the 401a is the American model but the machines are the same.
Actually plastic bobbins are far better for all the "Slant-O-Matic" machines.. The reason is that the metal bobbins will wear the bottom of the bobbin case thin and cause issues.. In addition, unless you have vintage bobbins, the center of newer metal bobbins will catch thread and jam.
Fantastic video. Both visually and your explanations are well appreciated.
Excellent Video! I just picked up a '51 401A for my mother, and I have no idea how this thing works.
Thank you for the info.
That is interesting, because Singer did not make a # 401 until 1957. Singer introduced zigzag machines in 1952, with the introduction of the # 206 machine..
Excellent video,,I'm not even through the whole video and it's making sense now as I try and do some repairs . it's amazing that I remember the motions my mom did as she sewed,,that it makes sense now.thanks so much,I'm super happy to be using my mom's 401a.
I picked up a super basic kenmore at a garage sale,,but I feel like this is singer is in my blood.
Thank you! I have both my grandmother's and my mother's 401a's which were purchased new when I was eight (yep, I'm a seasoned citizen) and love them! Wish you were here as Mom's is in need of help because it spent too many years close to the ocean, but I'm going to get it back in shape somehow and it shall fly again!
Is there a manual I can download and print from somewhere? I've searched, but am having trouble finding one that is actually from the Singer corp. My Mom has this machine, I grew up learning on it, but it's been 45 years or more since I used it! It still runs, but there is a big problem in getting the thread to run through smoothly. It's like it is really, REALLY tight and keeps breaking the thread. This video is the BEST I've seen yet - Thank you for putting it out here !!
exciting as l have one now...l enjoyed this focus of operation. Ty
hi thank you so much for this video i inherited this machine from my mom and i did know how to use it somewhat as a child i could do small projects in the 80s i would alter my jeans to make strait legs lol but i haven't used it for years it was actually in my garage collecting dust so i took it to a shop and they thoroughly cleaned it and got it in good shape again but i had forgotten how to do the bobbin i kinda remembered how to thread it but watching you brought it all back my mom got this machine as a young bride in the 50s this thing is a beast they sure don't make anything like this anymore i'm so proud now to have this machine hoping to do some sewing projects with my grand daughters oh wanted to ask where do i get those bobbins bought some metal ones but they don't even fit the bobbin winder thanks again!!
Thank you for the video. It was the best one I have seen on the basics.
Hola muchas gracias x su video, aunque pues no le entendí nada x q no se inglés, 😅 pero pues lo bueno q fue muy excelente enseñando cada paso!!!
hola, usa los subtitulos, ve a la rueda de ajustes, dale a subtitulos, dale a generar automaticamente, se abre una ventana y elige español, veras que salen los subtitulos en español, si no puedes escribeme aqui te ayudo
Thank you! I just received one of these and want to learn about it.
Very clear presentation. I am looking for how to lessen the pressure on the presser foot.
Thanks to your video, I will be able to start practicing with my 403A. ❤
Best in depth video thank you! Now I can get started on my cafe racer seat!
Thank you very much 🥰 this video helped me so much ❤️
Thank you for this video, super helpful!!!!
Thank you! Bought one recently and now I have to learn how to use it :)
Thank you for the best video. Understood everything that you said. Thanks for sharing.. I love my 401a.
My mom just bought one for 75 bucks. Thank you for this video!!
Great video!! Thanks a lot!! I was having touble threading the machine, now I got it ;)
Explained very well, Bravo !!
si, e' stato bravissimo, molto esaustivo !!!!!!
Thank you!! This was very easy to follow and I love the machine!
Thanks. I learnt a lot.
THANK YOU! This was explained so well!
My Grandmother, had this machine, & now my sister, has it.
Thank you so much! I just picked up mine today, its beautiful!
Excelent, thank you. When do you use the "Special" setting?
Thank you so much! I’m getting this machine tomorrow!
This video helped me . I was doing several this wrong
Great video. This really helped me.
This is a great video, if I can ask a question, mine isnt pulling the bobbin thread up, what should I do?
Well Done, Thanks
I did not know to keep it a zero when selecting the stitch types! Thanks
Thank you so much for explaining BL…I’ve inherited my Mom’s 401J and it is quite similar to this one here. Now I don’t have the manual for it but I heard that I could free motion quilt on it when you lift the throat plate…I’ve tried it last night but had no success. Not sure if I need a presser foot? Does anyone know? Thank you
Very good.
Just bought a 401g - how are you supposed to use the foot pedal - never seen anything like it 😳
This helped me so much!! thank you
The "thing" is a thread guide.
شكرا جزيلا شرح مفصل وممتاز
Thank you very Mach
Thank so much for this video, im Italy ehh.. done subscrive
Does anyone know how needle position is adjusted in front to back axle in this machine?
Congratulation simple and complet, explication, I appriciate if you can teachme more use in this machine, thanks
Can you please tell me if I am suppose to use class 15 or class 66 Bobbins on my 401a?
66 works well.
@@kandaschurr7034 66. The 66 bobbins are slightly domed on the top and bottom.
Class 66
genial
So if it says to use a 2.0 stitch length, how do I choose that on my 401a machine? (Straight stitch or zig zag)
2.0 mm is metric, this machine uses stitches per inch. I would suggest un-threading the machine, marking two lines across a piece of parer 20mm (2 CM) apart then, with the needle piercing the paper exactly on the first line, stitch 10 more needle holes into the paper. Adjust the stitch length until the last hole is exactly on the second line. That gives you 10 stitches exactly 2.0mm apart.
Hello wold you be so kind and share your pdf instruction manual? thanks
FYI: Plastic bobbins are junk. They will cause many problems sewing. They do not run smooth in the bobbin case. Many people who think they have sewing issues just need to throw away the plastic bobbin and use a metal one. Just saying...
If you can get genuine Singer class 66 metal bobbins, they will be good. The problem with aftermarket metal bobbins is they are most often slightly larger, fit too tightly in the bobbin case and drag which causes tension issues. I have used literally thousands of plastic bobbins since the 80's when the metal bobbins gave us so much trouble. In my experience the plastic are far superior.
No need to trash talk plastic bobbins. You do need to use the specific type or style of bobbin for the machine being used.
There are subtle differences in plastic bobbins used in different brands of sewing machines and even different models in the same brand. For example, the Singer that I used in the late 1970s required a plastic bobbins the unscrewed and separated in the middle. Made it easy to remove the thread when it got low. But that bobbin in any other Singer would produce messy stitches everytime, even though the bobbin fit.
Some of the old machines have to use generic bobbins today because they don't make the original bobbins anymore. Like the machine my dad bought for Mom from a traveling door-to-door salesman in 1967. Think it was a Capital? Mom used it until it was stolen in 2018 (grrr).
Anyway, if a plastic bobbin doesn't work for you, try different ones until you get one that does produce good stitches.
Plastic bobbins are too light. Metal bobbins are better.
bobbin thread is positioned so that thread runs counter clockwise in the bobbin holder. Counterclockwise or clockwise, the thread will still come “down off the bottom, “so your description of how to position the bobbin was ridiculous and useless.