The year on featherweights is not important in itself but it does help to explain the small changes that were made throughout the years. For example, the older style Egyptian scrollwork face plate is found on machines made before 1950 while later models had the striated (striped) face plate. Earlier models had plain feed dog cover plates while some of those from the mid 1950's had the plate with the seam allowances marked. The gold decals on featherweights also changed through the years as did the accessory trays in the carry cases. Collectors often like to have a machine manufactured during their birth year. You can FM on your featherweight and the feed dogs can be covered using the cover plate from the buttonholer. A regular short shank walking foot can be attached to a featherweight. I use one on my machine all the time.