Today's Featherweight Find
 

Today I walked in the drizzle to an estate sale in my neighborhood about a quarter of a mile away. The sale was run by professionals, but there was no mention of a FW in the ad. I was in the "Christmas room" when I spotted the black case on the floor behind a slide projector case. It seemed heavy, and I thought, "This couldn't be," but it was! It wasn't expensive, so all I checked for was the presence of a bobbin case and that the hand wheel turned.

When I paid for it, I asked "if it worked" and was told that it did. I stretched a Wal-mart bag over the case and proceded to walk home.

It tested out great! The only adjustment I needed to make was a quarter turn in the bobbin tension. I will need to give it a cleaning and oiling. There is no manual, but I don't need another one of those. The usual attachments are there. I believe the controller has been replaced -- there is no wear on the cording. The icing on the cake is that the case has its key!

This is the first scroll style face plate that I have owned and the oldest FW for me -- 1947. Now I have to decide what to do with her! My policy is to keep only one of each type of machine. I sold my first FW when I got a centennial model. Now I will need to decide whether the centennial stays or this one.

The hunt is so much fun!

Dayle

What a wonderful find!! FW's are so small that you could just call it "art" and put it out for decoration. This way you won't have to change your policy about only owning one of each. Besides, you only have "one" centennial and now you only have "one" scroll-plate machine. :thumbup:

Beautiful machine, I wouln't want to get rid of it.

Ohhh good find! Kind of like my garage sale find last weekend. I have a one machine rule too, but dh is threatening to keep it, lol.

Congratulations on a marvellous find! Very pretty!

aI think that is a super find.....but I don't understand how anyone could have just one Featherweight!

WOW! it is beautiful...............sigh

If I may ask, how much did you pay for this beauty

She is just beautiful!

She is in amazing condition with all her deals intact. I think it's time to repeal the rule about only having one. It's like Lay's potato chips-you can never just have one! I have 5 of them and use each one at one time or another. I feel like they're each one of a kind, so that's kind of like having one. I have a 1964 white one, a 1951 Centennial, a 1949 striated face, a 1947 Egyptian face and a Black 222 from England. Each is "one" of a kind. Someday, I'll find a tan one I can afford and then my collection will be complete. I vote for keeping them both!!!

Your FW is cute and I'm glad you made such a good find!

Oh but you only have one of each so why even think of choosing? I say keep both and then no more. I am trying to decide whether or not to keep my Red Eye or not for I wanted to restore the stand to full originality and it should have a red eye in it but then I bought a beautiful Sphinx and I cant make up my mind. DH is no help for he just says do what you want.

Lucky you. Great find

Nice save.

Is she for sale???

If so, How much???

J J

why not keep both you can have both lol

There is a fire close to our house, next to a state park and we were told last night to evac. Friends were there to help hook up to camper and trailer for harley mc. Put my 3 FW in camper in case. Check out my pics of my sewing rm and machine collection, would hate to lose them but can't take it all. :(

Gasp!! I bet your heart was pounding. What a GREAT find!! Love the little oil can too.

ppquilter, that sounds so scary. I will be praying that you and your house stay safe.

I go to yard sales here in West Texas all the time and NEVER find a machine like this....and i WANT one ! ! ! Congrats to you. If in Midland Texas, we need to go SHOPPING together.....

I got my first FW at an estate sale in Andrews, TX now have four. I found one in WI at a garge sale (cheap) was my best buy. Keep looking. They are so small you should keep both.

I just joined Quilt Board today -- quick note -- I learned last week of a friend who has her mother's FW and she wants to sell it. However, it is in a cardboard box -- case and all attachs are gone, never to be found. I would simply use it as decoration. I want to be fair to her -- she is not a sewer and needs to downsize, so is getting rid of "stuff." She felt attached to it when her mother lived with her, but she has been gone now for 5+ years. How much $$ should I offer her for the FW? It is black -- that's all I know. Have not seen it yet but hope to go this week to see it. Thank you for any help you can be.

T1zme,

I think you should look on Ebay and see the wide variety of prices on winning FW auctions. There are so many that you really can get a good idea. Many things are factors in the price - condition being of great importance. The lack of attachments isn't too significant, since most of them are readily available. If a FW needs servicing or is missing functioning parts, the price should be less. For the purpose of decoration, it doesn't need to work, but you will probably want the decals to be in good shape. Then there is the issue of age: do you want an older one? Scroll plate or striated plate? Also, the market in each geographical area is different. A 222 generally commands a higher price than a 221.

To determine value, it is a good idea to try out the machine, so you may need to bring fabric, thread, and maybe a needle. FW's thread from right to left.

These are just my ideas -- other people will have other thoughts.

A good transaction is one where each person feels things are fair.

Dayle