I love my FW, my 301 even more but I need my fancy Janome for so many things. I am happy I have them all. 2 years ago bought my self a lighter weight, but computerized machine for the long weekends when I might need ZZ or want to free motion. I bought another Janome so he bobbins fit and with the idea my then 5 yr old GD would get it. I have not bonded at all with it. It's just too light and the stitches are awful! My sewing room is set up with 3 machines. Piecing on the 301 and everything else on the 8200.

DonnaC, try putting a couple of Dr. Scholl's Odoreater charcoal shoe insoles in the FW case and also inside the trash bag that you have the case in. This can work wonders on moldy odors. If your case is extremely bad, you may need to change out the insoles after a few months.

Yes, I can relate.....I adore my Diamond....and now I don't like my (other sewing machine) traveling machine.....I will give it to my grandchild in a few years...I won't even use it while my Diamond is in the shop.

I took "Frances" my FW to the doctor's today. She was stressing out and has tension problems. I love her so hoping everything will turn out fine..because i use her quite often.
I also have a 301 in a beautiful cabinet, a Singer Treadle, and Viking and a new Janome. I only use my machines for quilting. I don't make clothes, crafts or diy projects, so all i need is straight stitching.

I am trying to downsize (I am 75) do I will offer most of the machines to my children and if they don't want them sell them.

I sold my FW, it worked it was light and it just didn't thrill me. I like the brighter lights, the bells and whistles on the new machines! I also bought a Ruby Viking but I just didn't like it. I traded it for a Brother Dreamweaver. I love it and have a great relationship with it. Sometimes you just have to work and work to find the perfect machine for you

I think probably part of my issue is I have two 'Dream machines' that I dearly love!! And although I knew my FW could only stitch forward and reverse... I've grown so used to having it 'ALL' that it's just been difficult to step back.Again, no disrespect to Featherweight I still adore them. ;)

I've wanted a FW for years. I've searched through estate sales, Craig's list, etc. One day I searched Craig's List for Janome and woohooo.... a Janome Gem had been listed for $75 just 2 hours prior. Told my boss I had a family emergency and drove 50 miles to pick her up. I sew on a Janome DC2010 and now I have my Jem for class work! So happy to have her.

this has nothing to do with a FW...but I have a Brother machine as a back up to my Bernina....it has lots of stitches and lots of feet and is a nice little machine but somehow it is so different from my Bernina that I cannot relate to it. I have to look up the process in the manual everytime I use it. I love my Bernina and I guess nothing else works as well for me but having said that since I cannot afford another Bernina the Brother will have to do if my Bernina has to go in the shop...lol

I have quite a few machines and have fostered many others before moving them on to the next person. I do love mechanical machines and actually feel happiest with those EXCEPT i miss needle up/down and then i tend to also miss variable needle position, after which i start to miss the auto thread-cutter tho i can do without it, its still reeeally nice to have! the first two are things i happily do without initially for the other pleasures but in the end, that's what drives me back to the computerized models. They do lack that sweet sound, perfect stitch and most often the power, too. I try to use all my machines and am happy to re-visit each one of them its a bit like musical chairs and that's what makes ME happy. lol

I agree with you, Divo. I am spoiled with my modern machines.

I have a black FW, want a white one, but everyone out bids me on them. Stop it.

This topic can definitely be for any model or brand of machine! Sometimes what we think will work for us just doesn't!

Yup, I've done this with a few machines...bought a used Pfaff 7570 after hearing how people loved them & I wanted the IDF. I never bonded with the machine, never used it, didn't like using it, and actually just sold it to a gentleman wanting to make things for his boat (apparently he had had a 7530 which finally gave out and wanted a similar machine). Also bought a used Viking serger 905. Loved it and thought I'd like the bells & whistles of the 910 and 936 so bought them as I came across them locally. Couldn't get used to them and sold them off and kept my 905. I want my machine to perform well when I want to use it and have a nice stitch. I don't want to have to fuss. I'm pretty happy with my current array of machines so don't think I'll be picking anything up in the near future.

Some people on this board are gonna think I've lost my mind but I can relate to your situation but mine was a top of the line Bernina !! I bought the 820 about 5 years ago & just never did click with it. Some of it's features I loved but some others, not so much. I really did long for an embroidery machine combo machine but didn't want the 830 because of how I felt about the 820. Within an hour of where I live is a dealer that sells Husqvarna & Singer. After checking out the Husqvarna, I drove up there to check out the models. To make a long story short she took my Bernina 820 as a trade in & I went home with the new Husqvarna Epic & I LOVE this machine. Actually my hubby talked me into getting the Epic (the main draw back for me was the price) but I am in LOVE with this machine. I echo what was previously said & that is, if you can afford the Cadillac or whatever model it is you want, then put the pedal to the metal & go for it. Did I mention that I LOVE this Epic from Husqvarna & trust me the name Epic suits it to a T. This machine does everything but put supper on the table !! LOL

Well I bought a used Elna sewing machine 30 years ago. That machine could sew through anything, when it felt like it. When i say felt like it I mean it. Back in the day I used to sew on our kitchen table. I was in the business of sewing cabbage patch clothes when they were all the rage. More than once I would step away from the machine to make lunch or supper for the kids, without touching anything! After making the lunch or supper, i would go back to my machine to continue sewing. The machine would stop stitching properly. Skipping stitches, not picking up the bottom thread. It would drive me to tears because it worked perfectly before I had taken the break. I could never find a rhyme or reason for it. It was happening so much it was taking the joy out of sewing. It was like the thing was possessed! I know this sounds weird. Even as I tell you this tale I'm thinking...their never going to believe this! Point of my story is I have had several machines since this Elna, and I have never had a problem any of them. So yes it was a machine I could never relae to!

My Time: I DO believe you!! I had an older New Home when I was first married that was like that!! We had a hate/hate relationship! Lol

Callen: I'm sew happy you found your perfect machine!! I'm sew happy you LOVE your Epic! ;)

Tipa: totally understand your issue! I have a BabyLock Imagine serger that I absolutely love!! It's 16 years old and still works perfectly!! I keep thinking of upgrading to one of the new BL sergers with all the bells and whistles... After reading about each one I am not sure aI want to upgrade!

The HV Sapphire 875 was an okay machine, however it was a rather cranky thing. I'm much happier with the Pfaff QE 4.2, that I bought in 2014. The Sapphire was traded in to help finance the new Pfaffs. I bought a Pfaff Passport 2.0 the same day, its use as my travel/class machine. I love both machines.
Sharon in Texas

When visiting my mother, she had a machine for a while on which the thread always broke when I tried to sew -- but never did for her!

Ditto on the Pfaff 7570. I inherited my grandmother's when she passed a few years ago. Oh, how she loved that machine! I remember when she bought it (new). You would've thought she won the lottery. <3

I've tried and tried to get used to it, but it has never grown on me. I can't even explain why. The machine works just fine, but it kind of feels like I'm wearing clothes that don't fit.

Moonrise: I think you summed it up perfectly!! <<<feels like I'm wearing clothes that don't fit>>.

There is a plastic 1/4" foot made especially for feather weights that I really like. It's called the "Lil Foot". I think it makes piecing easier. I have 6 FW in my personal collection as well as a black 301, 3 treadles, and 5 other vintage singers. Some still need restored to working order and I am looking forward to using one with a shuttle instead of a bobbin when the cord is replaced. That said, I also am in love with my Bernina 880 in a huge Koala table. It has all the bells and whistles including embroidery. I take my FW traveling & to class and have found with the Lil Foot I can switch back and forth with my Bernina with a matching 1/4" seam. The one thing I learned about that foot is I broke it when transporting it. I am going to get a hard plastic box to put it in next time I go somewhere. I love them ALL!!!

I bought a newer Pfaff a few years back and that machine drove me to distraction. The thing that made me the most crazy was the low bobbin indicator. When it came on there was still feet of thread on the spool and the machine would not sew any more than one stitch at a time. My DH (who has his office below the sewing room) finally came up and suggested that I get rid of that machine. I did and got a Baby Lock instead. Best decision!

I do my piecing on a Viking mega quilter straight stitch only machine right now. I have a singer 401 I love to use but when moms machine broke I loaned it to her and she is still using it as she fell in love with it too. I am now looking for another for myself. The only thing I miss on it is the auto thread cutter. Also have a singer 201 I love but it needs tensioner repair. For fancy stitches I have a Viking sapphire that I absolutely hate and only use when I have too. When I find my 401 the sapphire will be leaving.

I can understand where you are coming from Sheriann. I want a featherweight someday and would use it to some extent. I want to have the piece of sewing history, you know? My first sewing machine was a White and I didn't like it. I learned to sew on Singers at school and at home, but I never liked them either. I bought myself a Janome DC 2008 (?). All but one of my sewing friends had Janomes and loved them I love my Janome and I am looking to trade up at some point to get more bells and whistles. I think you should keep the Featherweight and maybe use it for small projects. Enjoy it for what it is, a piece of living history.

Thank you for your replies. I'm feeling so much better after reading all of your responses. I've actually learned quite a bit from them. I understand now what makes me unhappy with the FW. And I'm OK with that now. It's not the FW it's actually me and my preferences. I will not part with my FW I am definitely keeping it,as it is a huge part of sewing history and I absolutely adore it!! I will continue to use it in my RV and occasionally in classes. ;)

This why so many on here, including me tell everyone asking what machine should I buy to go test it out. We all have different things we like and dislike about all things, including machines. Right up at the top of the list along with finding a great rep with great customer service and great classes is to test the machine. No matter what brandname or kind of machine, they aren't a one size fits all thing. I have some old machines that I rescued and some I paid highly for but have never used them. One is a treadle, it needs a belt. My 9 yr old grandson has already spoken for it about 5 yrs ago, he loves the whole idea that something can run and not take batteries or electicity. One was a beautiful feather weight. Its in fantastic condition. Still orginal, I wouldn't even changed the electrical adapter because I didn't want to change the way it was made in Scottland, many years ago. Its nice to have at least one thing in my house that is older than me.

You know, I did own a treadle for a few years and never bonded with it. Fortunately, it was sold to someone who just loves it. What I discovered was that I couldn't stand the noise it made. I was in love with the idea of having one but it wasn't a good fit for my personality.

Lots2do: great explanation!!

<<<I was in love with the idea of having one but it wasn't a good fit for my personality.[/QUOTE]

I have a Bernina 580 that I'd like to feed to the pigs.

Oh my! I'm like your grandmother. I love my Pfaff 7570 so much I bought a second one as a spare in case the original bit the dust. They may be old, but they were made in Germany and their performance is still excellent.

When I go to quilt shows I try out the new machines, and even filled out a sales order for a new Bernina. Then my friend asked me why I was buying a new machine since I liked my Pfaffs so much. She was right, everything about the 7570 feels good and natural for me. A person is fortunate if they find a machine that suits them to a T.

I should also add that I love my vintage Featherweights, especially their little chugging sound as they sew along.

They are not for everyone. However, even though I love my Berninas, the FW is my favorite for piecing. I am more accurate, more relaxed with the sweet clicking as it sews. I have three machines set up in my sewing room. I love my Bernina embroidery machine, my Bernina 430, and my other machines as well. If you can only love it for what it is, that is OK too. My 6 year old granddaughter and my 12 year old granddaughter made their first quilts on the FW...so you may find a use and someone who loves it down the road.