I did it!
12-31-2013, 05:48 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 75
I did it!
I agreed to buy the tan Singer Featherweight. 
I am very excited for it to come!!!
It's a Craigslist find, and I haven't actually seen it in person yet, but the photos were really good,
and the seller SO VERY NICE.
I dunno ... one day I was just searching the country for a beige Featherweight,
and I found one 6 hours from me.
The guy agreed to mail it to me.
Both of us were feeling apprehensive about how to pay,
and woohoo!!! The post office STILL accepts COD.
So, that is how it's coming.
I think the COD fee is not more than $10.
I'll be sure to post photos when I receive it.
The man assures me that it is in near-perfect condition.
I hope that it is.
It does have three small scratch marks on the edge of the machine,
and I am hoping this is the worst of it.
This guy is always on the hunt for machines to clean up & sell he says.
He assures me that he has not repainted it, so I do have to check for that.
Says he just tinkers with them .... gives them a good clean & an oil.
It's from 1961, which is what I've been on the hunt for (my birth year).
Originally I wanted the white, until I learned from my research that the tan is an identical machine to the black. For the money, $375 + ship, I am learning it is a good price.
I just hope & pray that the condition is as he says.
Oh the decision making though .... agony.
A friend of mine who owns a shop has a black Featherweight to sell & I've looked at it, sewn on it.
It isn't "near perfect," but it is nice and it has the eqyptian scroll work.
It really is beautiful.
I do not want two machines but I might have to buy it just so that it doesn't get away.
It's the eqyptian scroll work that is so beautiful,
and now I have noticed in my "searching" that the scroll work does differ on some machines. This one has the gorgeous scroll work.
It's $200.
I talked to her about the tan & she encouraged me to get it before somebody else does, since the tan is more rare. It comes with the original sales receipt. I feel good about the decision, even though it'll take me all year to put that $ back in our savings.
I'm pretty excited about finding a prominent place in my home to display the new-to-me machine that is coming.
I saw on Etsy that I can make a fabric cover case (to fit over the carrying case), and I'm going to make a dust cover for the machine, too. Have you done this? Do you have a favorite pattern?
Woohoo .... I feel like I'm now in the Featherweight club.
Never thought I would want one of these machines 'til I started going on retreats.
If you have any helpful or fun links for me to check out, please list them here.
My friend told me when I check out the machine if it sews decent, it's probably going to be just fine.
She is a repair person and says there has not been a Featherweight yet that she couldn't get running.
Any other helpful tips?
The guy seemed very very nice, and we talked several times.
I hope that is a good sign.
I am very excited for it to come!!!
It's a Craigslist find, and I haven't actually seen it in person yet, but the photos were really good,
and the seller SO VERY NICE.
I dunno ... one day I was just searching the country for a beige Featherweight,
and I found one 6 hours from me.
The guy agreed to mail it to me.
Both of us were feeling apprehensive about how to pay,
and woohoo!!! The post office STILL accepts COD.
So, that is how it's coming.
I think the COD fee is not more than $10.
I'll be sure to post photos when I receive it.
The man assures me that it is in near-perfect condition.
I hope that it is.
It does have three small scratch marks on the edge of the machine,
and I am hoping this is the worst of it.
This guy is always on the hunt for machines to clean up & sell he says.
He assures me that he has not repainted it, so I do have to check for that.
Says he just tinkers with them .... gives them a good clean & an oil.
It's from 1961, which is what I've been on the hunt for (my birth year).
Originally I wanted the white, until I learned from my research that the tan is an identical machine to the black. For the money, $375 + ship, I am learning it is a good price.
I just hope & pray that the condition is as he says.
Oh the decision making though .... agony.
A friend of mine who owns a shop has a black Featherweight to sell & I've looked at it, sewn on it.
It isn't "near perfect," but it is nice and it has the eqyptian scroll work.
It really is beautiful.
I do not want two machines but I might have to buy it just so that it doesn't get away.
It's the eqyptian scroll work that is so beautiful,
and now I have noticed in my "searching" that the scroll work does differ on some machines. This one has the gorgeous scroll work.
It's $200.
I talked to her about the tan & she encouraged me to get it before somebody else does, since the tan is more rare. It comes with the original sales receipt. I feel good about the decision, even though it'll take me all year to put that $ back in our savings.
I'm pretty excited about finding a prominent place in my home to display the new-to-me machine that is coming.
I saw on Etsy that I can make a fabric cover case (to fit over the carrying case), and I'm going to make a dust cover for the machine, too. Have you done this? Do you have a favorite pattern?
Woohoo .... I feel like I'm now in the Featherweight club.
Never thought I would want one of these machines 'til I started going on retreats.
If you have any helpful or fun links for me to check out, please list them here.
My friend told me when I check out the machine if it sews decent, it's probably going to be just fine.
She is a repair person and says there has not been a Featherweight yet that she couldn't get running.
Any other helpful tips?
The guy seemed very very nice, and we talked several times.
I hope that is a good sign.
Last edited by jackiequilts4fun; 12-31-2013 at 05:50 AM.
01-01-2014, 04:26 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,103
Congrats! I saw a tan one in person once and it was so cute, but I didn't have the $600 they were asking for it 
. You did good! If I were you, I would get the black one also. I have 2 black ones and rotate them out periodically so they both get used. Every FW needs a sibling!
. You did good! If I were you, I would get the black one also. I have 2 black ones and rotate them out periodically so they both get used. Every FW needs a sibling!
01-01-2014, 02:25 PM
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 181
I think the tan machines tend to scratch easier and often the hand wheel gets chipped. I always take my watch and rings off when sewing on mine. Nova Montgomery has a wonderful website with maintenance newsletters and supplies. Aprils1930‘s also sells feet and supples. Look at both and Sew Classic too. Enjoy!
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