Singer Deluxe Monogrammer

This is one of the best attachments for your 401!  It does work on other machines as well - it comes in a slant shank version for the 401, 403, 500, 503, 600 and also a low shank version for your 319, 328 or other low shank zigzag machines.  (It only works with zigzag machines.)

You start out by installing the feed cover plate and then the attachment.  The feed cover plate will vary by machine, and it might be a trick to find the right one.  But the one that fits Slant-O-Matics like the 401 usually comes with the slant shank version of the monogrammer. 

You insert the plastic letter template (flat piece sticking out on the left) and crank it in, then you use the plastic letter guide to show you where to begin stitching.

Then off you go!

This is a fantastic attachment that makes spectacular monograms.   Here are a few samples:

Now...about the letter cams.   When the monogrammers were originally sold, they came with a flower cam and THREE letters of your choice.  So when you see these for sale on ebay, they come with only a few - if any - cams.  It is VERY rare to find an entire set of them and if you do it will run you close to $200.  However, you can sometimes find individual cams for sale here and there.  What all this means is that collecting the cams can be costly and time consuming.  It takes some persistence - I've been collecting several years and finally have the complete set of cams!

And how about that shamrock! (it comes with the Kenmore version of this monogrammer)