jackiequilts4fun

A few yrs. ago I went on my first quilting retreat & I felt so charmed with these cute little Featherweight sewing machines. I absolutely had to have one myself!!!

After months of searching, I happened upon a darling 1961 beige Featherweight (my birth year).
I paid a pretty penny for it, but the going rate. It wasn't an unreasonable amount.

While it has one good scratch (minor), it's actually in extremely good shape.
But, I really do not enjoy sewing on it.
Guess I'm just very spoiled with the new technology.

Because I can't decide if I want to hang onto it or sell it, I'm going to do nothing at this point.
But, is there a reason for me to hang onto it?
Will they increase in value?
Maybe I should hang onto it for my kids, or my grandkids?

I remember my mother in law telling me that she got rid of her mother's Featherweight the summer before I came into the family (dating her son). That was more than 30 yrs. ago.
Ugh .... I would have LOVED to have had that machine!
Back then, before all this new technology, maybe I would have really loved sewing with it.

I have the case, some accessories, & the original sales receipt.
Can't remember if the owners manual is there.

What do you think?

Mariposa

Personally, I'd hang onto it. I think they do hold their value well, and it would be great to give to a DGD, or a possible future DIL. The machine is a good travel companion, or for classes. I do see the younger generation using them in classes....
Perhaps I'm a little biased. I like my Featherweight. Her name is Bella.

Skyangel

I had two, and I sold one of them recently. The one I kept is my purple repaint, "Violet" (my avatar). I remember how excited I was to get the black one, it was my first featherweight and I wanted one so bad. It was so cute, and sewed so well. I enjoyed taking it to classes. But then I found the purple one (a deal on craigslist), and I also have an Elna Lotus, so I realized that it was only getting sewn on every couple of years. When I bought her, the woman selling her wanted her to be sewn on and enjoyed as it had been her late aunt's. So I decided it was time for her to go to another loving sewist. I sold her to a fellow guild member and she is making quilts again. I do love sewing on my vintage machines, even though I appreciate things like needle threader and LED lighting on my modern Bernina. My purple featherweight is among the number that I will never give up. I'd hold onto your beige one as you would probably regret letting her go.

Mickey2

Hi Jackie

I don't know what type of features you have fallen for, but I guess a simple straight stitcher can have it's place. The advantage with the Featherweight is mostly it's size and portability, and it makes them impossibly cute. I don't know how many who actually use them daily or as the go-to-machine. Their advantages is also their limits, it can be a bit cumbersome to sew larger items on them. I am used to some of the finer points of the latest technology, but in general, I can get by with a Singer 201 and an Elna Supermatic I fixed up half a year ago. I have a separate walking foot for my 201, and the Swiss zigzagger. After I bought it the 201 has become a favorite, it's a straight stitcher only, but full size machine. It's in a table, and a joy to work on.

I assume you are a quilter, and I don't know if you feel dependant on functions like built in dual transport, knee lift, needle threader, needle/up down, or Berninas stitch regulator, etc, but I never did. So I guess a lot comes down to what we sew, become used to and the ways we find around things.

Children love small things, the Featherweight is a very fine piece of mechanical equipent and very charming. My complaint is mostly that it's a bit small. Some love minature versions, but Americans tend to think big ;- )

deriz56

Just acquired my first and only Featherweight today, one is enough for my collection. I ditto all the reasoning given above for keeping these little beauties.

M.Elizabeth

I don't own a featherweight, but if I did, I would hold on to it for sentimental reasons even if I sewed very little on it.

franc36

Several years ago, my daughter gave me a Featherweight to take to classes. It was well worn, but it sews like a dream. I use it every day. All of my quilt tops are made on that Featherweight. My expensive Bernina is used only for FMQ and appliqué. There is no way I would part with that beat up old Featherweight. I love, love, love that machine!

MFord

Jackie, I don't know how old you are, but eventually you will probably get to the point of having arthritis, a bad back, or some other ailment that comes with age. The FW is a marvelous little machine at that point! So easy to carry to your classes and groups, and it does a wonderful stitch. I'd hold onto that one! I have a beige one myself and am shocked at how prices have risen. It might be a good thing to pass on to your children as well!

sewbizgirl

I have bought three FWs.... one in England for my daughter, with the British 220 current, and two in America. She left the British one with her mother in law when she moved back to America. Now I have one American FW here at my house and the other at her's. It's there for me to mend with when I go there to visit-- she doesn't really sew on it much. I'd like to say I use mine but I just don't. Once I got my 301 I really didn't need the FW at all. The 301 lifts right out of its cabinet and is lightweight and portable, only 4 lbs heavier than the FW. So it goes places with me. Still I haven't decided to sell the FW.

I really think they have peaked in their price (several years ago, actually), but what's the harm in keeping it? Maybe put it on display somewhere? Someone may 'grow into it' in your family and need a very simple machine to learn on. Or perhaps a friend might need one to borrow. Although there are millions of them out there, it's still kind of a novelty. Keep it.

quiltingcandy

If you have the space to keep it, then I vote to keep it. If one of your fancy machines needs to go to the shop it will be an excellent second machine. Mine is a traveling machine. I had 3 - one for me and 1 for each daughter. They didn't want the ones I got for them, so I gave the 2 machines to other family members. Couldn't see holding on to them when I had one for myself and they were all the same style and color.