I am so excited!!! We went to a local auction tonight and I got a Singer 221 Featherweight for $200.00. It looks brand new and was built in 1946. At the bottom of the case under a thick piece of card board was the original letter from Singer congratulating Mrs.Nahlstedt of Old Greenwich, Connecticut for purchasing the machine. The envelope was post marked April 28, 1947 - finding that letter was almost as exciting as buying the machine! This machine serial # makes it built on September 16, 1946. It also looks like it has all the parts and bobbins etc. I downloaded a manual when I got home. The case is in perfect condition too.

Also in the case was a receipt dated 8/30/99 saying that a complete tuneup and chemical cleaning and lubrication was done for 39.95 by a different owner in Portland, Maine. And now it is MINE!!!

I will post pix in a day or so - computer fix-it man (who has had my computer for a month) called and said he finally has it up and running after telling me it needs a new motherboard and was unable to find one!
I wonder how long it will work! DH is tired of me being on his so much.

YAY!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I just got one for my B/D this month...Mine is a 1936...

You got it for a great price too!! The envelope underneath is priceless!!!

Again, HUGE CONGRATS!!!

Great find! Happy quilting

Great find! Happy quilting

I am so happy for you......

(and a little jealous :mrgreen: )

Good for you!!!! And how cool finding the letter and envelope!! That would be neat framed, hanging in your sewing room!! :D :D

So happy for you! I finally got one too and I'm still in awe.

I am so happy for you. I have my mothers and it sews a perfect straight stitch. The letter and receipt really make it exciting, and I'm from CT!
Enjoy your new baby.
Mary Ellen
FL

Congrats! Can't wait to see pics!!

Congrats! I can't wait to see a pic of it.

Wow, the letter makes it especially incredible. Have you considered adding your own letter at some point, so that as this machine moves through the generations, the story will continue?

Congratulations!

What a great find...and with provenance - Well done and I hope you have many years of enjoyment from it.

Great!! We're anxiously awaiting pictures.

Oh wow! What a great buy. You will surely enjoy that and what a great price.

WOOHOO!! What a great find!!!

Wow! $200 is a great deal! And how neat that the letter stayed with the machine all these years.

My mom bought a new Featherweight before I was born (in 1951). She taught me to sew on it and I made all my doll clothes and then my own. When I was 15, Mom traded it in for a new Singer. She didn't want to trade it, but wanted me to buy it instead with my babysitting money. She couldn't afford to keep it if I didn't buy it, but had to use it for the trade-in discount. However, I was a typical 15-year-old and wanted to use the new machine, not the old Featherweight. I've regretted that decision many, many times in the past 43 years, believe me!

Luckily, I found a Featherweight in the used section of a sewing machine store for $25 in the late 70's or early 80's. It's a 1949 model; Mom's was either a 1949 or 1950. I stopped sewing in the mid-80's and put it away for years. The timing was off when I got it out last year, so I had it tuned up. The technician offered me $500 for it, but I said no way. It sews beautifully now and takes me back to my childhood when I use it.

By the way, I would never have mine painted because it would affect the value and I like the original black, but I have to say I love the painted Featherweights. They're so shiny and cute. Wish I could afford to buy a couple of pink ones for my granddaughters. Or one pink and one purple.

Enjoy your new purchase!

Sandy

Yipee!!!!!!! I love the 2 I have and waiting a couple of weeks to pay off my new baby!! This new machine is a White Featherweight which are really rare. Enjoy your machine :D :D :D

Sandy, I saw a pink one online and if I remember correctly it was listed at 6,775.00. Isn't that amazing? You have to love pink to pay that much!

Congrats! Printing out your post would be a fitting addition for future owners to find. There is a great yahoo group that has one of the foremost featherweight experts as a regular poster. He will tell you exactly what to do to fix any featherweight problem if you have one.

I have a white featherweight, it's a little smaller then the black ones. It was given to me, I had been looking for a black one. One thing, the new teeth belts don't work that great on the featherweights, use the flat ones.

Wow...that is just too cool! The machine was a great find/deal, then to find the letter....just blows me away!

Wow, Beachlady, did you choose the right night to go to auction or what? I keep looking for a featherweight but so far no luck, whoever has them wants to keep them here in my home area.

Enjoy and can't wait to see the picture!

Hugs,
Sharon

Beachlady, that really is an exciting find! Would love to see pictures of the machine. Having that original paperwork would mean a lot to me, too. Like holding a piece of history.

How exciting!!! Can't wait to see pictures! And to find the original letter from Singer -- that is just awesome! Maybe you could post a picture of that too?

Congratulations!!! I am VERY :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: with envy!!! :wink:

Double Congratulations!! :D I
can hardly wait to see your pic's.
You must still be on cloud nine!!
:D :D :D :D :D

Wow---what a great find!!! And it is so neat that you have the original letter to go with it too!!!

What a wonderful find. I can't wait to see the picture.

Congratulations. :D

I purchased one in 1999 for $125. I had to change the electric cord because it was dry-rotted. When the Singer dealer saw it, she literally hugged the machine and told me "never get rid of this machine". I asked her what it was worth at the time, she said $600 and that was 10 years ago. I wonder what it would be worth now! I love that little machine.

Wow Beachlady what a wonderful thing! And it's come to a good home. Just don't throw it out of the window if it plays up! :lol:

congrats, what a joy!!

How did you determine the exact date that your Featherweight was made? Also, the manual you spoke of, where did you get a download of it? I have a machine and beat up case but no manual. Just curious to find out if I can determine when my machine was made and get a manual download if possible.

Brenda

Great find, price and like someone said, the letter is priceless. Enjoy your new sewing machine.

Wow! congrats on your fabulous find! And it works on top of everything else!
MaryAnna

MAJOR machine envy is happening here! Congrats on your great purchase, I agree the letter is icing on the cake.
I've been eyeing them on ebay but I keep hoping I'll find one locally.
Jo

What a lucky find!