Margie07

I know a lady who is interested in giving me a Singer of her's from the 1950's. She told me she doesn't know the model, but called it a "little portable Singer." Could it be the Featherweight? What are they suited for sewing? I will be looking at the machine in March, but just wanted to get these questions asked now, lol.

mike'sgirl

It could be one of several. 301, 99k...these are two that I have. I also have a featherweight. I really like it to take to class. But the other ones are very desirable as well.

Mickey2

It depens a lot upon what she means by portable. By todays standards I would guess it's a Featherweight, and this forum has opened my eye to the 301. As mentioned by mike'sgirl model 99 and 128 was still made in some form all of the 1950s, 3/4 size and considered small. In the 50s, all models sold in a case was considered portable, though only a few of them was considered small. Either way, it's bound to be a nice model. The dubeous cost effective models doesn't appear until the early 60s (285).

KenZ

You can not go wrong with a small Singer out of the 50's. All of the models that I know of are great machines.

Daylesewblessed

Ask her if she can lift it without much effort at all. I think the model numbers on most of the Singers from the 50's should be below the badge on the post.

sewbeadit

Grab it they are all quite cute machines that were listed above, even a spartan is a nice machine. They are mainly used for sewing clothing, not too much heavy work at all.

tessagin

I would take it with no hesitation depending on the price.

Mariposa

I'd get it, and hopefully it will be a decent price~

roguequilter

the only thing i had to sew with for years was my grandmothers featherweight. i made pinch pleat draperies, curtains, recovered furniture and various household dec items plus my clothing. when my son was born i bought a necchi because i was making his sweatshirts and pj's ...things i needed a zigzag machine for. recently making terry towel bibs for mil (alzheimers) i couldn't go thru the thick layers with my pfaff. went to my little fw and it just breezed right thru those thick seams. a featherweight is a remarkable little machine with a powerful motor. i think it's really being given a reputation as "cute" and for quilting only. it's great for all kinds of sewing. even if no zigzag ..but i think there's a foot that makes it sew zigzag tho i don't have one.
oh ...and the necchi died after 30 years of heavy sewing ...household, clothing and quilts ...but the little featherweight is still going strong!!

Stitchnripper

I went into a quilt store once a bunch of years ago and there were many fabulous quilts hanging all around. I said "who made those and how?" the lady was the owner and she said "I made them all on my Featherweight".