Where do you get that about not being strong. My mother re-upholstered the couch and mended a camping trailer tent with her FW. Anything that could go through got sewn on hers. My sister and I re-furbed it a bit a couple years ago: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t-t174236.html

I Looooooveeeeee my FW. I do miss auto cut, auto thread but she sews such a beautiful straight stitch.

Why don't you change out the foot? I did it with my FW.

I have a 1954 White FW. I have been using it a lot to piece table runners. I love the way it stitches and it certainly fits my need. I have several other machines, including a 1963 Singer 328 K, a couple of Singer Touch 'N Sews, a Singer 1425, a Babylock Serger (I got free) and a National Two Spool Treadle. More than enough machines for me to sew on! I love my FW and I use it almost every day, even though I still work full-time! My 328K is my "go-to" machine, and I've owned it since it was new! I love the old machines, but I guess I'm NOT a collector! LOL
Jeanette

If you ever have the opportunity to attend Nova Montgomery’s one day workshop on cleaning, oiling & lubricating your featherweight, Go! Now I am confident that I can diagnose my 221’s problems and fix them myself.

They are just so darn cute. I agree with others on the board. If you decide to purchase one pay more and get it already complete. I purchased one with the broken latch. A common problem due to the fact that the lock is in one latch and people pry it up to see what's inside. Oh the adventure of changing the latch. DH got involved and that was a grand adventure of the not so nice kind. I wish I had paid $50 more and gotten the completed machine with good latches. I take it out occasionally and use it.

This thread is four years old.

But besides that, I nearly got bitten by the FW bug a couple of months ago. They are cute and if I find one cheap, I might still buy one, but I decided I don't need one. I love my vintage Singers with the direct drive motors, 15-91 and 201-2. I don't see how the FW is the 'greatest ' vintage machine, and honestly I think they are waaaay over priced and over hyped. Hundreds of thousands were made between the '30s and '60s so they are far from rare. In my personal opinion, the only things going for them over my potted motor machines in cabinets are 1) cuteness and 2) the ease of transportation.

Yes, they are cute. If you take one to a venue of non-quilters, you will get many comments about your "toy" sewing machine.

And, yes, they are very transportable. That is one major advantage in my book. Plus they are small to store.

However, the 301 wins with me every time. The slant needle is a wonderful feature. With the FW, my line of vision to the needle is blocked by the tension knob. Maybe the height of my table and my body size is the problem there.

FW’s are a novelty and I’ve wanted one for many years but passed up many chances in lieu of one owned by an accointance. I’ve wanted to buy it for years but never asked if it was for sale. This summer I bought it from her estate and I use it every day. Very powerful, mint condition, celery green. Happy !

NZquilter I agree with you. They have become over priced, almost "status symbols" among quilters. I have one but only because I got it very cheap and was curious. It is cute but it's too small for me to take seriously so I rarely use it. I prefer almost any of my other machines over the FW.

Cari