Free motion quilting on my Singer 301-a

Hi, it's been a while.  I've been spending quite a bit of time learning as much as I can about my vintage machines.  I will be making some brief tutorials on what I have discovered, and how to get the most out of a vsm.  I have been using my trusty Singer 301-a to free motion quilt (FMQ), and it's been great!  Here she is attaching the double fold binding to the quilt like it's not a thing.  

The 301, and 301-a, have been becoming more popular recently.  They are often called the "big sister" to the Singer Featherweight 221/222.  They share a bobbin case, and both have an aluminum body.  Both are light weight, and popular for machines to take to quilting events.  I personally prefer the size of the 301, but the 221/222 are so darn cute!  

To set up the 301 for FMQ I like to set my stitch length to "0", and drop the feed dogs.  To drop the feed dogs you must tilt the machine back (if it is in a cabinet) and turn the larger sized black knob that's to the left of the bobbin case.  Some prefer to leave them up, but if you do that, make sure that the stitch length is set to "0" so the dogs don't operate.  I also like to dial my presser foot pressure up a touch, using that silver knob on the top left of the machine.  This, in theory, prevents the skipping of stitches that can happen when the upper thread doesn't catch the bobbin thread.  I use a cone of thread on a stand that's behind, and to the right.  I also like to make sure that I wind at least three extra bobbins before I get started.  It's a hassle to stop and wind more bobbins when I'm in the groove!  I have my 301 in a cabinet that's backed up to an old kitchen table, this gives me lots of room to manuver the quilt, and it holds the weight of the quilt while FMQing.  I also put a stool that is a similar height to my left, in front of the desk.  Doing this gives me more support if I'm quilting a larger quilt, and prevents drag.  I've used gloves for FMQing, as well as gardening gloves from the Dollar Tree, both work fine IMHO.  I like to run a pipe cleaner around the bobbin case, and under the plate, when I change out the bobbin.  It's amazing how quickly dust bunnies can multiply in there!  The foot that I am currently using is a vintage hopping foot, I think it works rather well.  

I think that the best thing is to make a couple of practice sandwiches and go for it!  I hope that you found this info useful, and that you try using your machine to FMQ your own quilts.  It's so satisfying to be able to make a quilt from start to finish on my own.