I think it's too high. I picked one up for $75 and here in Canada, and the further north you go, it seems the worse it is, we typically pay much more for machines than in the states. It needed very little work. (Someone had adjusted the pedal improperly so it fizzed and popped and the machine ran on its own, needed a part for the bobbin winder, and bed feet and a belt.) It's not perfect as far as the appearance, but it's still very good (Decals are a little bit worn).

Expect all but a fully serviced machine to need bed feet and a belt. Make sure the bobbin case is there, it's one of the most expensive "parts" you'll have to buy, and watch for ads that say something like "Old Singer Sewing machine" or "Small Singer Sewing Machine" sometimes they even omit the "Singer" from the ad. Both of my sub $100 machines have been from ads that didn't say 221 or featherweight in them.

If you plan to carry it in a different case (like the soft ones discussed above) consider getting one with the case latches cut off. You don't need the key, and the latches won't matter. It seems to really lower the resale value so you can get them for a good deal.

Love, love, love mine!

Won two bids the same week on e-bay. One was my f.w. and one was the "big sister"-- Singer 301A. I have to admit I like the extra power & speed of the 301A as well as it's great visibility due to the slant shank design. Makes seeing where you're sewing while fmq so much better. I do not dislike the feather weight; can't beat it's cute look, just haven't put enough hrs. sewing on it to know it as well as the 301A.

I love my FW, and my 301A too! :)

I certainly love my featherweight. And so do my young grandchildren. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...w-t218966.html

Pretty sure there isn't anything not to like about them!!!!

I have three featherweights between two houses and wouldn't part with any of them. I use them all the time. The one downside is no zig zag so overcasting seams and making button holes I use my Viking. Two of mine were from my husband's grandmothers and one I found at a shop whose motto is "we buy junk....we sell antiques" and the name of the place is Cool Stuff. I found it way in the back in one room behind some other stuff, made them an offer and it was mine. I'm not a fast sewer so speed never bothered me. I do all my piecing on it but don't quilt as it is too lightweight so moves around when I push the quilt around and there isn't enough room to feed a quilt through the harp area. I also haven't figured out how to cover the feed dogs for free motion so I use my Viking for the quilting part.

That seems high although I know people who have sold them for that and people who have bought them. I paid $120 for mine (1934) but the case was in bad shape. That was fine with me because I wanted the machine and didn't care about the case. It depends on how bad you want it. Will they deal with you?

featherweights
 

I like my featherweight very much...but...love my 301...I have a black shiny 301 in cabinet that I just love
sewing on...stitch is as good as featherweight and I do all my piecing on it...have another LBOW301A that
I take to classes and quilt group

I like FW's, but the tension knob is right in my line of vision to the needle, which seems to be set back a little to far for me to see. I am a tall person, so maybe I just need to lower the chair.

On the other hand, the 301 with the slant needle is just perfect for me. The needle is right in my line of vision.

Another negative, at least on the FW's I have owned is that the light gets hot. I don't have that problem on the 301.

Dayle

I love my FW when I first bought it years ago I baby it, only to bring out to take to classes. That was until last summer when my main machine decided to keep breaking the top thread while I was paper piecing a twin size fan quilt. So I pulled out the FW, oiled her up and sewed away. Best machine I have used over the years to paper piece! I have no problems chain piecing with her either and she will go fast when I ask but I love the way I can control the speeds and never have a nest on it yet...but now that I said that it will most likely happen. lol

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