Virgwid...
for those of us who have at least one computerized machine, the featherweight is simplicity. It sews a true straight seam, small/lightweight for portability to classes, simple maintainance. I sewed on one when I first learned to sew in Jr. High school ... long time ago. I now have two computerized embroidery machines with more fancy built-in stitches than I can find a use for and love them for what they can do, but the featherweight is a trip down memory lane. A FW is an excellent machine for a newbie quilter with little or no sewing experience. There's no special tricks to learn. It was probably the best idea Singer ever came up with. The new models are a different breed. They are made in Japan and not nearly the quality workmanship one would expect from Singer. Too bad they didn't stick with the original model.