Pretty Sure I've Found Myself a NEW Hobby
12-16-2013, 09:08 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 75
Pretty Sure I've Found Myself a NEW Hobby
hunting down Singer Featherweight machines. 
I like looking for them ... and hopefully, I will like cleaning them up ... maybe get into some re-selling.
Oh, but I have A LOT to learn.
Now, more searching has turned up a 1961 Featherweight machine!!!
Good thing it's Christmas ... dh is telling me to BUY IT.
All the looking that I've done on eBay, seems high, at least what I'm finding for "excellent condition." Min. $400.
I think I have found one in a classified that looks to be in excellent condition.
The guy is asking $375, and I'm pretty sure he won't take less.
I don't blame him, really.
Last week I talked to a lady in my town who has a black one from maybe the 1940's, some scratches, didn't really know much about it ... and she wanted $400.
So here's the lo-down on this one that has me excited!
It's from 1961.
I ran the Serial # on the internet & came up with this.
It does have the RED "A" on the emblem.
That's worth something, isn't it?
He has the original dated receipt from the purchase in 1962, from a sewing store, in the town that he lives in. Wow ... I think it said it was $110. I'm thinking back then that was about 3 weeks of pay for my dad.
Is there anyplace on line that I can read about THIS particular machine?
He has the booklet & the box the accessories come in.
This man thought he had the "off white" sewing machine but it's more tan.
I questioned if it was the tan, because the case is tan & brown.
Would they have painted light or dark tan, or just the dark tan that I see on eBay?
I'll try to upload a photo.
I asked him if it appears that it may have been repainted, but he said no (& he is a car man).
It does come with some feet, but no fancy attachments like the walking foot, or ruffler, etc.
I seriously think I would only do basic piecing for quilting on this, really.
It has the off white foot pedal which I think is original.
The case is very decent for 52 years old.
He says it sews beautifully & quietly.
He bought it at an auction. Not an estate sale.
He calls it in near perfect condition.
The photos look good.
Other than a paint scrape across the front (it's minor), he says the paint is beautiful.
He lives FOUR hours from me.
But he is willing to meet me half way.
Is $375 too much?
I really do have a liking for the off white, or .... I think the tan would be ok.
I like it better than the black.
I'm thinking if $375 is not too terribly bad, if I had buyer's remorse, I could probably resell it.
I don't want that to happen ... but this is a BIG purchase for me.
May I have your thoughts?
Thanks so much!!
I like looking for them ... and hopefully, I will like cleaning them up ... maybe get into some re-selling.
Oh, but I have A LOT to learn.
Now, more searching has turned up a 1961 Featherweight machine!!!
Good thing it's Christmas ... dh is telling me to BUY IT.
All the looking that I've done on eBay, seems high, at least what I'm finding for "excellent condition." Min. $400.
I think I have found one in a classified that looks to be in excellent condition.
The guy is asking $375, and I'm pretty sure he won't take less.
I don't blame him, really.
Last week I talked to a lady in my town who has a black one from maybe the 1940's, some scratches, didn't really know much about it ... and she wanted $400.
So here's the lo-down on this one that has me excited!
It's from 1961.
I ran the Serial # on the internet & came up with this.
It does have the RED "A" on the emblem.
That's worth something, isn't it?
He has the original dated receipt from the purchase in 1962, from a sewing store, in the town that he lives in. Wow ... I think it said it was $110. I'm thinking back then that was about 3 weeks of pay for my dad.
Is there anyplace on line that I can read about THIS particular machine?
He has the booklet & the box the accessories come in.
This man thought he had the "off white" sewing machine but it's more tan.
I questioned if it was the tan, because the case is tan & brown.
Would they have painted light or dark tan, or just the dark tan that I see on eBay?
I'll try to upload a photo.
I asked him if it appears that it may have been repainted, but he said no (& he is a car man).
It does come with some feet, but no fancy attachments like the walking foot, or ruffler, etc.
I seriously think I would only do basic piecing for quilting on this, really.
It has the off white foot pedal which I think is original.
The case is very decent for 52 years old.
He says it sews beautifully & quietly.
He bought it at an auction. Not an estate sale.
He calls it in near perfect condition.
The photos look good.
Other than a paint scrape across the front (it's minor), he says the paint is beautiful.
He lives FOUR hours from me.
But he is willing to meet me half way.
Is $375 too much?
I really do have a liking for the off white, or .... I think the tan would be ok.
I like it better than the black.
I'm thinking if $375 is not too terribly bad, if I had buyer's remorse, I could probably resell it.
I don't want that to happen ... but this is a BIG purchase for me.
May I have your thoughts?
Thanks so much!!
12-16-2013, 09:28 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Not Here
Posts: 3,817
$375 for my area is very high. Your area may be different. Honestly, just before Christmas is usually the wrong time to buy a featherweight. In my area, I have a hard time selling a fully serviced, exceptionally clean black machine for $250. I will sit on it for months, as in sometimes 6 or more. I paid less than the asking price you stated for my 222.
Yes, a tan or a celery (White) machine is rarer (more rare?) than a black 221, so it can command a little more money, BUT - if you want to resell the machine down the road - you should not pay this much money for it.
That said, if you plan to keep it, and it's clean, and you have that money available, then go for it. We always tend to overpay for our first few machines, and at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if it's a keeper. I paid $145 for a 1913 27 treadle. I've put about $150 into her to make her whole - her wood was rough and there were pieces missing, no shuttle, no slide plate, etc, and she still has wood work to do. Betty will be part of my estate though, so it doesn't matter.
When I found her, I actually called DH and asked: What would you think if I paid $145 for something that was broken?
Yes, a tan or a celery (White) machine is rarer (more rare?) than a black 221, so it can command a little more money, BUT - if you want to resell the machine down the road - you should not pay this much money for it.
That said, if you plan to keep it, and it's clean, and you have that money available, then go for it. We always tend to overpay for our first few machines, and at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if it's a keeper. I paid $145 for a 1913 27 treadle. I've put about $150 into her to make her whole - her wood was rough and there were pieces missing, no shuttle, no slide plate, etc, and she still has wood work to do. Betty will be part of my estate though, so it doesn't matter.
When I found her, I actually called DH and asked: What would you think if I paid $145 for something that was broken?
12-16-2013, 10:39 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 1,035
Ouch on the price but aren't the tan ones really rare? I have 2 blacks (a 221 and a beautiful little 222k) and I have a 1968 white/celery?(paid 250.00 but it needs a new face?plate) But aren't the tan ones Even more rare (i am green/celery with envy, I would love one but have never seen one, even!?), let alone for sale!
12-16-2013, 10:51 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
I would never pay that kind of money for a machine that I couldn't test drive and make sure sewed properly. To meet someone in a parking lot and pay $20 for something is a gamble I'm willing to take, but not for that kind of money. I've been burned once doing this and lesson learned!
12-16-2013, 12:39 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,122
Ok- if this is the ORIGINAL style in off white, in very good condition with a case that is in good condition (and does not stink) with attachments . . .
Then it's not a bad deal. The "tan" are much rarer than the "white/celery" newer style, so don't be confused by that. It would be a high price for a newer style white one (with white/green case).
Make sure you get the tan footpedal - that is part of what makes this older one so neat.
BTW - in general, the white/celery ones can be bought for less than the black ones, which can be bought for less than the "tan" ones, which can be bought for less than the open arm (222) ones.
There are always exceptions - depends on how lucky you are. I found two white ones this last summer - the sellers didn't realize the FW came in that color - just thought they were cute little sewing machines.
Then it's not a bad deal. The "tan" are much rarer than the "white/celery" newer style, so don't be confused by that. It would be a high price for a newer style white one (with white/green case).
Make sure you get the tan footpedal - that is part of what makes this older one so neat.
BTW - in general, the white/celery ones can be bought for less than the black ones, which can be bought for less than the "tan" ones, which can be bought for less than the open arm (222) ones.
There are always exceptions - depends on how lucky you are. I found two white ones this last summer - the sellers didn't realize the FW came in that color - just thought they were cute little sewing machines.
12-17-2013, 10:08 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
I would think that " hunting down" a featherweight means going to antique shops, flea markets and yard and estate sales and finding ones that were not already found. Maybe one that isn't pristine and fixing it up. Getting one that doesn't have a case or attachments and finding them. And not paying that much money! Looking on ebay isn't really a hunt, is it? But maybe you just want to collect, not hunt. Then ebay's probably fine.
