Here is my story - I got my first Featherweight June 16, 1949 - paid $147.90 including tax. Took out a loan as didn't have the full payment for it - Then paid $20 per month until it was paid off. I'd said when Singer comes out with a zig zag I would sell this Featherweight and get the newer machine - which took place in Dec. 1954 I received $125 trade in at the time of making the new Singer 306W machine purchase. I've used the Singer 306W machine ever since - sewing on fine silks - to leather, canvas and etc. Plus I did buy myself another Featherweight in 2008 for $400 and it is just like the one I'd gotten in 1994.I have other machines also. A lot of folk have asked me, "Aren't you sorry you traded in your first Featherweight Singer?" My response is "NO" as I couldn't justify getting the machine with Zig-zag and BLIND hemmer and other decorative stitches without the trade in. All in all I liked the Featherweight and made my exquisite wedding dress on it back in 1953 and many many other items. My latest machine purchase is a Bernina that I purchased a few months ago on EBay. Dorothy Coleman