I'm either an idjit or totally brilliant -- you decide
 

I have absolutely no luck with auctions at E-Bay -- even when I'm there in the final seconds someone comes along and makes a bid just above mine. The last straw was 4 Featherweights all ending the same day. My limit was $250.00 postage included. Two went too high and the others got snatched out from under me in the last second. So... I found this newly listed "Buy it Now" and grabbed it. No case, few attachments, 220V, but it shows minimal wear, has been serviced by a professional and is ready to go. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261194409097...84.m1439.l2649

We were born in the same year about 150 miles away from each other. Her in Scotland and me in North England, so we sort of speak the same language (just different accents :) ). The step down transformer was an additional $17.00. I figure I can make a quilted carry bag for her and I have a 15-91 which came with tons of attachments I think will fit a Featherweight.

So... have I made a collossal mistake or a good purchase?

Oh, and does anyone know where I can download a manual for her (hopefully free)?

I don't think you did bad. Especially since you've been wanting one and having no luck, and you already have quite a few things in common with her already. I really love my featherweight. Enjoy!

When bidding on ebay, have you ever tried eSnipe (www.esnipe.com)? You set up your maximum bid on esnipe and it will submit your bid seconds before the bidding ends. This way, the price doesn't get jacked up by people putting in offers to top each other. I have successfully bid and won using esnipe. It doesn't cost that much and you only pay if you win the auction. It is legal also.

Gail

I think it's a beautiful machine- congratulations. I use a small rolling suitcase for mine- lots of room for accessories, fabric, etc. I've seen others in rolling coolers and even tool caddies. I think there are free manual downloads on Singer.com, and I'm sure other folks have resources to recommend. Enjoy!

You will love your Featherweight. I have 2 and they are sweet machines! Low shank attachments from your 15-91 will fit her. Enjoy!

You can download a free manual here (scroll down to 221K) : http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...e-manuals.html

I hope I wasn't one of those who beat you to the punch, as I just won the bidding on a 1950 and a 1952 FW. The date on the '52 was October 8, 1952, which makes it just 2 months older than me. I figured this would be the closest I would come to my birthday and couldn't resist.

I think it looks clean, and if it sews, you got a good deal, even without the case. I carry whichever FW I am using at the moment in a rolling Igloo cooler which I bought at Walmart. I can't remember what size it is, but you can always carry your machine in the store to try it out. It has plenty of room for the machine and pedal, fabric, notions, etc. It also has a separate pocket on the top, so I can carry my rotary cutter and scissors separate from the fabric. You should be able to find additional feet on eBay, or there are several sites for 221 parts. Enjoy your "new" machine. There is nothing better than a FW for sewing a simple seam!

Here is another link for a 221 manual:

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ght-manual.pdf

Belfrebat,

When bidding on eBay or any place else, place the highest bid you are willing or able to pay, then walk away. Either you win it or you don't. Don't bother fighting with other bidders, or trying to snipe some nit wit with the e-snipe cheater program. It makes it easier that way.

You can buy reproduction cases here: { http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/sew...ine-cases.aspx }

Perhaps you are a totally brilliant idjit. :) I've done what you are doing with sewing machines, guns, cars and trucks. When you can't find one complete and set up the way you want, buy one that's bare but in good shape and make it like you want it.

Joe

I agree totally with Joe. Place your max bid and walk away or at the very most, watch. You may get it and you may not. But, you won't suffer a nervous breakdown and you won't be enticed into a bidding war. I often see people who say someone came in at the last second, just a dollar more and beat me. That may or may not be true. They may have had a higher max bid already in there and only needed to beat you by a dollar to win. I'm guessing that happens more often than not.

Noel

Bidding and walking away used to work for me in the early years of E-Bay but no longer. I'm often the highest bid until the last few minutes when someone beats me by the next increment. I much prefer "Buy it Now". I just hope this Featherweight is as nice as she looks and is described. I got her for $43.00 below my limit, so even though she doesn't come with much, I think I got a fairly good deal.

What a clever idea to use a cooler!