Original 301 Accessories

The Singer 301 was the first of the slant shank machines. This awesome little machine came with a full set of accessories.

The box of accessories is part number 160623 and came in a green cardboard box.

Here is a list of the original accessories (with part numbers):
- ruffle (160629)
- adjustable hemmer (160626)
- hemmer foot (160627)
- shirrer (160628)
- edge stitcher (160625)
- binder (160624)
-felt spool pin washer (8879)
-black screwdriver (25537)
-small screwdriver (120378)
-extra bobbins

Additional accessories available for the 301 were:
- cording foot - left (160687)
- cording foot - right (160688)
- flange hemmer (160753)
- gauge foot (160755)
- quilter (160691)
- tucker (160692)
- zipper foot (161166)
- automatic zigzagger (161103)


If you are looking for a set of accessories for your 301 you can look for them one at a time or you can often get a good deal if you get the whole set by searching for part number 160623.

Singer Tucker

The manual for the 503 has this to say about the tucker:

"Since the beauty of tucking lies in explicit accuracy, the Tucker will contribute greatly to the attractiveness of this work. 

Tucks up to 1" may be stitched and marked in one operation.

Two adjustable scales are provided to gauge the tuck width and spacing.

Use either straight or decorative stitch setting."

Singer made two different slant shank tuckers. The first is part number 160692, the singer tucker made for class 301 machines.

Mine is a lovely blackside tucker. Here it is:

Since the 301 was a straight stitch machine, the hole for the needle on this tucker is only set up for a straight stitch so you can't do zig zag tucks or change your needle position when using it. 

The second slant shank tucker is part number 161226. Mine has a copyright of 1962 in the instructions. It was made for zig zag machines so the hole for the needle is wider, allowing you to zigzag or change your needle position. 

Here it is:

I haven't done much with either of these attachments but I had to have them for my collection.

Singer 503 Original Accessories

When I first fell in love with my Singer Slant-O-Matic I realized I wanted to collect all of the original accessories that came with the machine. Here is a list of the accessories that came with the Singer 503, according to the manual (and their part number):

- general purpose foot (172075)
- straight stitch foot (170071)
- straight stitch throat plate (174529)
- special purpose foot (161167)
- button sewing foot (161168)
- zipper foot (161166)
- foot hemmer (161195)
- multi slotted binder (161174)
- seam guide (161172)
- fashion discs:
#1 (arrowhead)
#5 (banner)
#6 (crescent)
#7 (icicle)
#8 (blind stitch)
#9 (multi stitch)
#10 (ball stitch)
#11 (ribbon stitch)

Some additional fashion aids listed in the manual that were available to purchase:
- darning and embroidery attachment
- edge stitcher (160625)
- gathering foot (161169)
- tucker (161226)

Additional fashion discs:
#2 (scallop)
#3 (solid diamond)
#4 (solid scallop)
#12 (domino)
#13 (faggoting)
#14 (comb)
#15 (thunderbird)
#16 (shag)
#17 (curlicue)
#18 (solid pyramid)
#19 (block)
#20 (walls of troy)
#21 (chevron)
#0 (zig zag)


If you are looking to get all of the original accessories they are available online. I have purchased a few sets of 503 accessories in the original green and red box. You can usually find them for pretty cheap online. I have paid as little as $15.00 to $20.00 for a set.

Singer Sewing Library

In the '60s Singer put out a line of sewing reference books. They were 25 cents or 29 cents and were available at the local Singer Sewing Centers. The first was dated 1960 and the last one was dated 1962. They were available with a staple binding or comb bound:

I have been collecting them from yard sales and thrift stores and online. I just need one more to make my collection complete.

The series is pretty fun. I love to look through them. Part of the delight is the snapshot of the past that they give you about life then. Another part is that there are actually some pretty fun projects, techniques, and ideas in some of them.

Here is a full list of the series and their numbers:

101 - How to Make Curtains
102 - How to Make Draperies
103 - How to Make Valences
104 - How to Make Bedspreads
105 - How to Lay Out a Pattern and Cut
106 - How to Measure, Alter and Fit
107 - How to Make Seams and Finishes
108 - How to Make Sleeves
109 - How to Make Buttonholes and Pockets
110 - How to Make Collars, Finish Necklines
111 - How to Make Zipper Closures
112 - How to Make Belts and Hems
113 - How to Make Slip Covers
114 - How to Make Café Curtains
115 - Things for Little Girls to Make
116 - Creating Charm When Sewing for Girls
117 - How to Mend and Refit
118 - How to Do Dressmaker Tailoring
119 - How to Make Aprons
120 - How to Make Cushions, Pillows, and Bolsters
121 - How to Sew for Babies

Really it seems like some of these are essentially the same: Curtains, Draperies, Valences, Café Curtains. But some are super fun like the Aprons, Creating Charm When Sewing for Girls, and especially Things for Little Girls to Make. 

I will be trying some of the projects and techniques and I will let you know what I think. 

I do recommend the series though. It's a fun read if you are into sewing techniques and the past.