I wasn't fond of the original foot pedal either until I learned that you sew with your heel on the button, not your toes. Billy told me that and since I've started using it the right way, I don't have any problems.

Oooh...I have been sewing with my toes or upper foot on the button...okay, I'll have to try the heel...thank you.

I have a black FW that was given to me by my mother. She bought it back in the 50's when her sisters husband was selling them and talked her into buying one. I used it at school in my sewing class in the 60's. Just a few years ago I gave it to my daughter. They are great little machines. My mom is now 91 years old and still wishes she could see well enough to sew. They are great machines for sure.

I love them all. I have a white, a tan and several black. I guess I am a collector. The best part is they are so easy to maintain and service. A little oil on all moving parts, a little lube in the motor and they are very happy. No high cost maintainance. They sew perfect stitches and are really dependable. Ruth

Dependable is the word..do you oil and lube your machine yourself or do you have it done? Just wondering...

Make sure you have a dependable repair person before you commit to a Featherweight (or at least someone who is handy with their hands and can follow instructions).

I love my Featherweight, but it drives me nuts to have to wait for a repair on it - there is only one person in my area who can handle the machine, and I've tried umpteen times to work on it myself.

I have The FW my Grandmother bought, not sure what year. It still has the table. Only had one thing done to it in 50+ years and that was the cord replaced. I keep it oil and lubed myself. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I did see one at a local repair shop ( needed a screw for another machine). He didn't have price on,. guess I'll call him and see what he wants for it.

I have The FW my Grandmother bought, not sure what year. It still has the table. Only had one thing done to it in 50+ years and that was the cord replaced. I keep it oil and lubed myself. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I did see one at a local repair shop ( needed a screw for another machine). He didn't have price on,. guess I'll call him and see what he wants for it.

I didn't know about using my heel----so tired it and have so much more control! Thanks!

Thanks for all the information. I just bought one for $50. that has a cabinet. Don't know the year. Where do I find that information? Is there any place I cna find an operation manuel?

My Mom had what she called a Featherweight with a dress maker head.....she gave it to me. She says she told me to never let it go but I sure don't remember her telling me that. I sold it for $20 in the early 70's and she still hasn't forgiven me!!!

I love mine. I do most of my piecing on one.

I have 2 FW machines but today I went to a yard sale. There was a Necchi, 1951 model machine in a black case. The seller told me the machine worked but needed new cords. My DH said he could take care of that. I asked how much and nearly dropped when she said $10.00. Guess who has a Necchi model BU in her studio?????

I have 2 FW machines but today I went to a yard sale. There was a Necchi, 1951 model machine in a black case. The seller told me the machine worked but needed new cords. My DH said he could take care of that. I asked how much and nearly dropped when she said $10.00. Guess who has a Necchi model BU in her studio?????

Sorry about the double post!

The FWs you see that are any colors other than black,tan and white are repainted. So no they are NOT rare.

I have owned 7 featherweights, 5 black,1 white and 1 tan.
They all sewed beautifully and really enjoy using them to piece quilts, even made a corduroy jacket with one.
:thumbup:

My FW was purchased from an Antique Store in Langley, WA on Whidbey Island. It had previously been owned by another quilter. There were actually two for sale at the time. Mine is from 1934, the second dated from 1952. We each paid $250 and felt that was a very good price. The one I really wanted had been at Langley in 1999 at a clock shop. A light green machine and case from England and the price at that time was $500. I have always regreted not purchasing it. It was just the most lovely green.

I always thought the foot pedal was kind of awkward and wondered why they had ever come up with such a design. I would try to push the square button with the front of my foot and the pedal would go everywhere. Since I started resting the front of my foot on the pedal base and the heel on the button, I can really control it much better. Glad I could help. I bet there are many FW users that were not aware of this.

I saw one on CraigsList for $200 the other day.

I want one, too!

If I ever to decide to sell the one I have I will be sure to post it here to let you all know!

if you go to singer.com and type in your model number, you can download a manual for any machine they ever made.

Boy that sounds interesting, I'm going to try it with my heel on the the button.

Feather Weights are beautiful. There is only black, and mint green (actually cream, and not a myth) They all have serial numbers, either on the front, usually on the bottom (of the machine, not the case) Singer has a web site that you can go and check the serial numbers, and they have listings of where and when they were made, and how many machines were released that year. There are also feather weight machines that are open armed, and some have a fold down extended bed. The local sewing machine sales shop/ quilt shop that I work in still services these machines and we see at least one a week. We all stand there and stare at this beautiful little machine, that still sews as straight and true as the day it was made. Some are still in their original case, complete with instruction manual and all the attachments. These of course are worth more. We always check the serial numbers, just so we can tell the owners how old their machine is, and where it was made. Most of them don't know, they just got it from old Aunto so and so who doesn't use if anymore etc. One thing you have to know tho is if it is a Singer Feather Weight, ONLY use Singer Needles. Singer needles are actually a little longer than the rest. All singer machines are built to accept only singer needles. This includes all singer machines, right from the first machine they made, right up to date machines. A lot of Singer machine owners come in, and are having trouble with their machines, until they find out they are using the wrong needles. Any ways, have fun with your search, and good luck. I don't own one yet, but if I came across one for less that $50 I might pop for it. I already have two old regular singer machines, the oldest was made in Elizabeth Port, New Jersey, it is the portable version, HAND CRANK, with the original curved wood carring case, it was made in 1912. Fairly rare, it was left in the basement of a house my parents bought in 1972, I've had my eye on it since then, and finally received it in 2008. The other one is a treadle with cabinet, it was my mother in-laws. I received it in 2001. Both have very sentimental value. Both are straight stitch only, with the funny bullet type bobbin, and both in working condition. I hear the hand crank models are very popular in the third world countries where there is no or little electricity. Hope you enjoy your hunt for you feather weight. Auntie B in Saskatchewan, yes, spring has sprung, and now we are all busy bailing water from the spring thaw, and guess what, tonight it is snowing like crazy !!!!!!! Go figure !!!

[quote=Auntie B]Feather Weights are beautiful. There is only black, and mint green (actually cream, and not a myth) They all have serial numbers, either on the front, usually on the bottom (of the machine, not the case) Singer has a web site that you can go and check the serial numbers, and they have listings of where and when they were made, and how many machines were released that year. There are also feather weight machines that are open armed, and some have a fold down extended bed. ho doesn't use if anymore etc. One thing you have to know tho is if it is a Singer Feather Weight, ONLY use Singer Needles. Singer needles are actually a little longer than the rest. All singer machines are built to accept only singer needles. [gently snipped]

Auntie,
You forgot to mention the tan Featherweight, made for a
short time from 1961-62.
My Featherweights(3) all work much better using Schmetz needles as the current Singer branded needles can be iffy
on quality. I use the Schmetz needles in all of my Singer machines, the newest one I own is from 1968, the stitch quality is wonderful.
Here's a picture of my tan featherweight.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...45965719anVMRT
Sharon W.

Your FWs are beautiful. I think I'm in love with the tan one! It's gorgeous!! I will never part with my three little black beauties. Featherweights Forever!!

[quote=purplefiend]I just noticed something on your machines. They don't all have the gold scroll pattern on them.Is this because they're newer?

I just noticed something on your machines. They don't all have the gold scroll pattern on them.Is this because they're newer?[/quote]

The camera flash makes it look like the black machines have no decals.
My black featherweights have decals, the 1951 centennial model has the old style decals, the 1957 has paper clip(newer), the tan machine has no decals.
Sharon

What is "freecycle"?

its a yahoo group where people give stuff away for free.

Thank you for your reply re freecycle. I'll have to check it out. Happy Holiday

main cost me $185 in an antique shop. works like a dream.

I just got one on eBay. Not too many people were bidding on it since they had to pay shipping from the UK. It is a 1952 and the scrolling was in fantastic condition. I paid more for the shipping but I still paid less than 300 for it. It came the same week that I ordered it and is in great condition. I can't wait to find a centenial to buy.