considering a featherweight...
 

i've been thinking about getting a featherweight, does anyone have some links to some great sites with information about them? some of the stuff ive read has made the whole thing sound pretty intimidating...

Here you go.... and yes, it is intimidating!! I finally bought one and have made some mistakes doing so. If I had it to do over again, I would have spent MORE money on my featherweight and bought it from someone who restores them completely. Mine has been work, work, and more work, and I'm not quite done yet. All because I "cheaped out" and bought my featherweight from the wrong person. I have no affiliation with the site below, just have learned quite a lot from it. Be sure to check out her "Tip of the Month" archives.

http://www.novamontgomery.com/index.htm

From what I've been reading, try to find one with the original bobbin case - apparently the reproductions don't work too well.

For some basic information:
http://www.planetpatchwork.com/fweight.htm
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/

Nova Montgomery is a great source for FW information and she sells machines. She has visited our guild 3 times and I enjoy her presentations.

There is a Yahoo group for Featherweights that is very informative. I believe Graham Forsdyke is the moderator. He is located in the UK, but he sells FWs to the US, too. Google 221 Parts (a very good site for parts & accessories); April 1930's (sells FWs, parts & accessories); David McCallum (they are retiring next month so will no longer be selling,but he has a great book/DVD combo on the care and maintenance of FWs); and Glenn Williams (parts & accessories).

FWs are the least intimidating machines you could ever hope to own. They were built to last and to be easy to operate. They only have a straight stitch, but they are wonderful to work with. I hope you find one.

This website has all the info you need:

http://www.novamontgomery.com/

Thanks for all the feedback, I'll contact Nova Montgomery. Buying a fully restored one sounds like a great approach.

Have you given any thought to getting a Singer 301 instead of a FW? I have both and much prefer the 301. It is only a little heavier than the FW and seems to have more power.

I have one that I never use because it makes my foot hurt. I have Plantar Fasciitis in my right heel. I just wanted to know if anyone else had this issue with the 221k.

Try turning it around with the button facing away from you. Then rest your foot on the platform. That's the way I use mine and it works much better for me.

I have one that looks great, came in the original carrying case with several attachments, the original FW manual and was purchased at a very reasonable price. It's a mid-to-late 40's model and sews like a dream. It now sits in a closet where it has been for several months and is never used. I wanted it so bad until I got it and then I realized I really didn't want the machine, I just got caught up caught up in another person's dream of owning one. I would sell it in a minute if I could do so without hurting my husband's feelings but he was so happy that I was able to find such a nice one after looking for a long time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that "I wish I had looked ahead before I leaped" and given more thought to what I was going to do with it before I bought one.

Very true about the bobbin case.

I love mine. Sewing on it today as a matter of fact.

I never had any desire for one until one day at my local sewing machine dealer there was one sitting out that just happened to be for sale. He had given it a checkup and tune up so I bought it on the spot. It is just so darn cute sitting out in my living room and I actually use it occasionally also. Sure sews a beautiful seam.

I have 3 black ones and one white featherweight. I love them. I keep one in our RV and sew there when I get a chance. I bought all of mine locally, so that I could try them out. Check craigslist and you might find one locally.

I bought two on local Craigslist. Both were in decent shape, meaning they a not perfect cosmetically but both sew very well. I prefer the 1950s one because I like the marked footplate, but the 1930s one has a beautiful scrollwork faceplate. I use mine when traveling, and I have taken it to classes on piecing. I also taught two women to sew on one of them. They aren't nearly as intimidating as an expensive electronic machine to newbies.

pam

My daughter gave me a 1952 Featherweight a little over a year ago. It had been restored to good running condition; but had been a well used machine that came with no case nor anything but the presser foot, one bobbin, and the bobbin case. I bought some presser feet, lots of bobbins, and a new foot controller from Nova Montgomery. I love, love, love that machine! My daughter bought it for me to take to quilting classes; but now I sew on it every day. I do all of my piecing on it using the 1/4" presser foot. When I got the machine, I was very intimidated by servicing it. Until recently, I used a check list and checked off each location as I oiled or greased it. I no longer need the checklist. Being a leftie, I detested threading the needle so each time I serviced the machine I wound 8 bobbins, put in a new needle, and put on a large spool of neutral thread. In the last two weeks, I have started changing thread as needed. I have an excellent book on caring for a Featherweight and have learned so much about the machine from the Quilting Board and from places like Nova Montgomery's Tip of the a Month. My Bernina makes stitches as beautiful as the Featherweight; but sewing on the Featherweight is much more fun.

SusieNC, I ordered a new, full-foot electronic foot control instead of the "little button" foot which drives me nuts also! I have the original foot stored away in a safe place just in case I ever decide to resell the Featherweight; keep that for value purposes. I love the new foot; it's what I'm used to so I find it much easier. I did order mine from Nova but there are plenty of shops online that sell the foot.

My original foot pedal gets rather warm. I ordered a new one and even though it looks cheap it works so much better. The new pedal doesn't get hot and I feel like I can control it better.

Betty, at least put it out as a decoration so you can enjoy it, and make it easier to remember to run it. Like cars, you do have to run them regularly or they won't run at all. You need to turn it on and sew with it to keep it in working order. If you can't do that, then do sell it. Your husband already knows you don't really want it because it is in the closet never used.

I'm afraid this might be me too, which is why I don't have one yet. They are SO CUTE, I love the history of them and the style and everything about them, and every time I see one I totally want it...but would I ever sew on it? I'm awfully fond of all the modern conveniences on the machines I already have. I spent a lot to buy a good quality portable machine to take to classes. At the last class I went to, someone was sewing on a FW and dang it's cute...but would I actually use one?? Probably not, I would probably be too afraid to take it anywhere, and at home I would probably not use it either.

I too bought one thinking...well it must be great, everyone wants one...almost three yrs now...used it once...like the modern ones better....stitch is just as good with new as it is with FW...now interesting...having a garage sale now...have it out with sign showing price...not one person showed interest..I guess this is not FW country.......will have to sell somewhere else...

thank you everyone for sharing your wonderful stories about your FW's here! i know it won't be my go-to machine but I love the look of them and can see myself using it occasionally to 'treat' myself hehe. simple projects like hemming stuff! i also have a old upright piano that it would look so nice next to.

Why limit yourself to the status of a featherweight - there are tons of older sewing machines that work just as nicely, cost much less and are much easier to maintain. Some people figure the cost of an older working machine is cheaper than one service call for a newer machine. Besides that you might actually have some fun with one.

I use mine occasionally, mostly because the bobbins are small and I get weary of changing them so often. It sews very well though and is fun to sew on. Just not one I would use everyday. The links you have already been offered are great for information. Enjoy.

If you use a bobbin winder and wind a few at a time you can easily change out the bobbins.

I love,love my FW's.....only drawback is the fancy stitches can't be done but u do get zigzag attachment and is portable to carry to classes, trip,etc. it's my everyday machine ! I have the 222K which is so quiet and the 221 (black,tan and white) is dependable and lightweight. All have given you excellent suggestions above but maybe you can find a reputable knowledgable repairman in your town that ( I have Tony Baker) can give u points or service, he may even have one for sale which has been totally serviced, not cheap but u know it's right.

Miriam is right (as usual)! I am a bit of a renegade and prefer not to travel with the herd. I asked my sewing machine mechanic for a recommendation for a smaller, take with machine but NOT the featherweight. He recommended the Kenmore 158.1040 in the rose case. I found one and love it! It is a little larger than the featherweight but smaller than a regular machine. I LOVE it!

Later, my DH insisted on getting me a featherweight which I took to my machine guy for a thorough going over. His comment was, that I was lucky. It's motor sewed much stronger than lots of featherweights did. But I still prefer my little "Rosie" Kenmore.

Those are light weight and do more tricks and have a bigger bobbin and very cute and much cheaper than the FW.

I have two featherweights and an older Kenmore, love them all and do my piecing on the featherweights and machine quilting on the Kenmore. No desire for the new machines here.

There's a section of the QB Daily Digest that is for Vintage Machine Enthusiasts...lots of information there.

I love my Featherweight! I use it to sew on most of the time for my piecing. It is easy to clean, oil, lube and maintain. Loads of information on the internet. I have Dave McCallums DVD and it is awesome. I also have a 301-A in a cabinet and love it too. I have a Bernina Artista that can do all the fancy things I want to do - but I think I sew more on the Featherweight. I bought mine from e-bay and have been thrilled with it. Some people are lucky and find one for $20-$40 but I don't regret the $350.00 I paid for mine.

I love mine. It just sews such a good straight stitch. I'm going to take it to a workshop in mid July and can't wait.

Susan

www.novamontgomery.com is a wonderful site for information about FWs

I have a QB contact who restores FWs. My FW came from this person. PM me if you are interested in the name.

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*** I have a FW and a 301A and I love them equally.
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If you are wanting a FW because it is a FW, be prepared to pay more than you would for another machine that you might be wanting--I am like many of the ladies here who love the 301 as much as their FW, but it is still a 301, not a FW. Bite the bullet and buy one--one will lead to another (I have 5 now and the prices have ranged from $25 to $300). You will LOVE it, especially if you are accustomed to using only a straight stitch sewing machine. I hate it that people take advantage of the fact that they are "selling a FW because I know it is a collectible item" but that is the way of today's mentality. $50 is a good reasonable price for someone to ask for a machine the age and abilities of a FW, but that is only my opinion. I wouldn't sell one of mine for less than $200, with it in perfect condition and pretty and clean--but I'm not selling. JMHO. Good luck, and keep us posted.

I'm right there with you! I got excited with what everyone else said, about it being a work horse, etc. and I wanted a portable machine that I could tote around. I bought it in Ontario, Canada, my home country, for $290. Cdn. I had it for about 5 years. I named her, made her a quilted "cozy", bought a walking foot for her, did some paper piecing on her, tried to get excited about using her (she was in absolutely perfect condition), but I was just so spoiled by my Janome 6600 and missed all the bells and whistles. When I fell into about $700. Of fun money, I decided to buy a Janome 3160 WED (new) and absolutely love it. She also weighs about 11 pounds and can do almost everything my 6600 can do.

To make a long story short, after talking to a Canadian sewing machine technician, I brought my featherweight to Florida, our wintr home,so ld it on CL for $350. US, which fellow Cdns. Will know is a good deal.

I really gave it the old college try, but a featherweight just wasn't for me. PS I'm having trouble making corrections on my tablet, so I will correct it here, my new machine is a Janome 3160 QDC

Why do you want a featherweight? It seems to me that they have become a status symbol, an item of conspicuous consumption. When they work, they do make beautiful straight stitches, but you can buy a Brother at Wal Mart that will make lovely straight stitches and some pretty decorative stitches, also. And it won't weigh much more than the featherweight.

My friends who have featherweights do seem to love them, but they are always and forever working on them, fiddling with this adjustment or that adjustment.

If you do buy one, be sure that it is in good working order and that there is a machine repair person who can tune it up and keep it tuned up. And have fun with it. froggyintexas

I inherited 2 of my fw's. my mother taught my sisters, all their friends, and me how to sew on that little machine. my aunt was given hers but hated to sew, so it was virtually brand new when I inherited it. and then I found one on shopgoodwill.com and couldn't resist. would love a white or tan.

I love my FW -- bought it from a co-worker who 'collects' machines, and I got the case, manual, attachments, and the updated book with lots of information about it, and I suspect she went through the machine before I bought it as it runs terrific. She was built in 1937, and I named her Rose. Beautiful machine to use -- and I absolutely adore her. I also have a Husqvarna that is my work horse, and a Bernina embroidery machine that will do everything but fly. What a blessing to be able to quilt as I do, and give the quilts to others.

They are small and cute but limited. They aren't strong machines. You will only use it for piecing. If you like to go to piecing classes, it might be a good thing to have. Otherwise, there are a lot of vintage machines that are stronger and can do more.