Not a featherweight, but I have a Singer 301a. I've had it for 11 years and it's the only machine I've ever known. I have never, ever had a problem with it- pretty much idiot proof, I think. I always remember my mom sewing when I was a kid (on a modern machine, don't know what it was), it alway seemed like she spent more time trying to fix something than actually sewing. Same with my MIL and her machine today. Hope my 301 lasts forever!