The second major factor that helped the 301 models stand out was their timing. The 301 models have a larger frame, but they still qualify as portable! While the 301 has many unique design features, it features an aluminum body just like the Featherweight.

The Featherweight remains extremely popular among sewers and collectors today as the first portable sewing machine. In fact, the 301 and the 221 even use some interchangeable parts, such as their bobbins! Singer invented a wildly popular model in the 1930s called the Singer 221, or the “featherweight.” This innovative sewing machine had a small body and an aluminum frame instead of the cast iron that everyone in the world had used to make sewing machines up to that point. Though Singer made thousands of excellent sewing machines models literally, the 301A model stands out for two reasons.įirst, the 301 and 301A bear a close resemblance to one of Singer’s earlier models.

On top of that, Singer dominated the world market, selling more sewing machines than all its competitors combined! Over the years, the company launched many technological innovations that drove the sewing machine industry globally.

Founded in 1850 by Isaac Singer, the Singer Company made domestic sewing machines popular in the United States.

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