How much did the original Featherweights cost?
#12
I don't know about Featherweights---but I do have the original receipt from my 1899 Singer model 27 treadle. It was my husband's aunt's mothers. The receipt was for $50.00 paid cash on December 19, 1899. What I can figure out by looking at cost of living info, it would cost close to $1100.00 on todays dollar, but this was also dated 2005 info--and I am sure because of the recession and such---it could even be higher.
Sibyl
Sibyl
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2010
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Originally Posted by Essiescott
What I can figure out by looking at cost of living info, it would cost close to $1100.00 on todays dollar, but this was also dated 2005 info--and I am sure because of the recession and such---it could even be higher.
Sibyl
Sibyl
Handy little tool:
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
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There was a TV show which showed the history of the sewing machine and it stated the before 1950 the purchase of the sewing machine was as important and the family car and in some places where they didn't need a family car it was the most important purchase.
No wonder my grandmother lived so close to her mother, she didn't sew unless she had to. My mother learned to sew from my great grandmother, but her sister learned just enough to sew on buttons and to fix hems.
No wonder my grandmother lived so close to her mother, she didn't sew unless she had to. My mother learned to sew from my great grandmother, but her sister learned just enough to sew on buttons and to fix hems.
#17
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Location: IL
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Originally Posted by Sunnie
Another interesting question would be - What would it cost to manufacture a Featherweight today? I think we couldn't afford it.
#19
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: BC
Posts: 713
I have a receipt from 1956. $169.50. included stool. Zig-zagger was $16.95 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Prices pencilled in on a brochure--127-3--$124. Cabinet 404--$149. 15-88 treadle --$149. 99K-13--$140( could be $114--too many notations to figure out the right price). 128-13--$89.50. 221--$145 (called Featherweight in the brochure. I am not sure of any difference in Canadian/US dollars back then.
#20
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
My MIL paid $129 for her Featherweight (in Ontario) and $20 for the card table (discounted $10 because it was scratched) in 1950 and she still has the machine, table and receipt. She bought it to hem diapers for the new baby whe was expecting (DH). Her comment, "It was an awful lot of egg money".
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