I was given my 221-2 as a graduation present from college. It was born in 1951 - Centennial model- and was a gift from my aunt. She was a school teacher and used it to sew clothes, leather patches, classroom books and other really big/stiff items. She was upgrading to a Bernina and knew I liked to sew.
Long story short - I made my first quilt (King size) pillowcase style with ties using her, and countless dresses, pants, and quilts since then. Not so surprisingly, my aunt wishes she had kept the machine (she is on #6 since she gave it to me - 40 years later).
Why do I love her? She WORKS - just a simple forward and back. Has all parts (except the main wire), the original manual, attachments, needles, lubricant, bobbins and feet. Only thing I had to add was a buttonholer and FMQ foot. I tried a walking foot on her, but it sews better without it as long as the sandwich is less than 1" thick. Turns out any low shank foot works well on her, so I've been experimenting. She is my main machine - I have a 401 that sort of works off and on, but the Featherweight is my main Squeeze!
Thanks, Craftybear, for setting this club up! I'm happy to become a member.
P.S. If you need a good mechanic/ Featherweight sales person, I know of two in the SF Bay area. Too bad you are back in SC, or you could stop in and check them out.