Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
I had some free time this morning and decided to show you my little girl. She was given to me by one of my best friends. She had 2 and could only use one at a time. Sweet lady.
She was born on September 10th, 1934 one of 10,000 and only the second batch of Featherweights made. She is a rare one, but just as valuable as all the others. She does have some differences: The tension is not numbered, a feature I really like. I don't get hung up on numbers - I can adjust it until the stitch looks good! The bobbin tension is on the front of the machine, not on the bed. Singer changed this the next year because the machine would not fit down into a table with it located on front.
Mine has a striated face plate. She should have a scrolled one but she must have had a "touch of work done" ;) over the years. One of these days I might find a scrolled face plate and replace it. It doesn't bother me and she is fine with it. Her foot control is different than any I have ever seen. it is an original Singer part though.
She is a beauty! I have a 1936 that has some of the new changes, but not all that were made in that year. Pretty cool! Well, if you want to make your baby truly authentic, you will need the stagger leg scroll plate. The scroll doesn't wrap all the way around like the later ones called the even leg. See here at this site.
http://www.thefeatherweight221factory.com/June2011.aspx
I prefer the even leg, but mine is correct for my year. Just a good excuse to look for a later one to add to the collection!