Originally Posted by MrsM
Okay then why own any other machine? Or am I missing something here?
Well, for one they don't zig zag...this is why they eventually phased out the featherweight, they couldn't compete with those zig zaggin' machines. ;) You can't drop the feed on them either, though you CAN buy a plate that covers the feed so you can still free motion. I have a featherweight, two treadles, a 1950's Singer cabinet machine, and White that my Mother gave me that I use as a back up machine, and a very economical Simplicity Quilter's Classic. I would LOVE some day to get a fancy fancy machine like a Pfaff or a Bernina because of all the bells and whistles...like the stitch regulation that I REALLY wish I had but don't. Also they usually have a bazillion computerized features that aren't available even on my modern machine.
Quilters are nuts about featherweights above all for nostalgia and because we do a lot of piecing...it's a very practical machine to have set up full time as your "piecing" machine or to take with you to classes or sewing groups...I would still want another machine for the "fun" stuff but I will always use my featherweight. ;)