I'm so happy for you and Ethel. I also have an Ethel, Ethel Jane who was allotted just a few days after I was born in 1945. I bought her from a QB member named Jane and she is my favorite machine. What a wonderful find your hubby made!!!
Janis

Great surprise! Don't be afraid to use her. They love to work, but get her checked out by a tech to make sure it's in working order. There are several places online to get parts, just type in "featherweight" and/or "221." There is a featherweight group in the yahoo groups.

OMG!! You must have an angel on your shoulder(or your DH does). Congratulations

Lucky you!!! What husband would bring home a sewing machine. LOL.

Wow! One man's trash is a quilter's treasure! It looks to be in really good condition. I would take it to the "doctor" for a checkup and make sure it is ready to sew. Congratulations!

It's the one time he's dragged something home that I didn't make him take right back out! He really has no clue. His boss' wife gave him a big ol Signature 272 in a cabinet that I still can't figure out..but I guess he figures that I can, lol. The Signature is even more intimidating that the FW! But in time I will figure it all out.

Great find. My DH once found a limited edition of a Les Paul Guitar in the trash down the street just a few block from our house. He noticed the head sticking out of a trash can and stood my car on STOP. you never know what some one is going to throw away.

I have a 1935, also. Her name is Phoebe. She's the only FW I have with the chrome wheel. The others are all black.

i got my FW the a walking foot and a quilting foot from the link on Vintage Machines and had it tuned up by one of those old sewing machine guys, who informed me that mine was 79 years old and in great shape. I love it for piecing. nice straight regular stitching.

Me too - my daughter bought my FW that was born in 1936 but she paid an outrageous price!!!!!