I have the opportunity to get a Featherweight but I'm thinking $475 is a little expensive. I'm wondering what you think. I'm not sure if I can attach a pictur or not, but I'll try.

Thanks for the input.

wow- to me that seems really expensive- but it might not be- check around- check ebay- & craigs list- check the vintage machine topic here& see what others have paid for theirs-
i do know location matters- so in your area that may be right-
but i think if you decide you want a vintage machine- be it a featherweight- or any other you should set yourself a (price limit) how expensive you are willing to go- then just look until you find the one that fits into your budget....if you are willing to pay that much for one- then it's a good price.
i spent 3 years looking for my second machine- then found my little beauty for $20...and it is WONDERFUL! no-it's not a featherweight- it's a 1956 singer 99K=
runs great- is a pleasure to use- and the price was sure right!

Machine & case look to be in great shape. You don't see many cases looking that good. When I was watching, I did notice that the white ones were going for more $. Is it being sold by original owner or a resale for profit?

Unless you really have to have a celery (white) one and can't find one anywhere else - it is still too much.

I'm sure you have already investigated and know there are vast differences (not such good ones either) between the black 221's and the beige and white featherweights.

The white ones are more expensive, and with a case is even more $$$. If she purrs like a kitten when you sew...buy it! The ones on ebay fetch around $250.00- $350.00 for the black ones, the white are much more. And if there's a case, it's even more.
I've been watching the ones on ebay, and they always go out of my price range!
Blessings,
MaryAnna

I'm sure you can find one cheaper than that.

At the sale I was at yesterday, the white ones were that much and more. Black ones were generally less than $300.

I've been looking and I can get one of the new Featherweights for about $250. They have lots of additional perks and feet so I think that's what I'll get.

Thanks to all of you that responded. I really appreciate it.

I have both, the white one is hard wired and not as zippy as the black ones. I suppose they command a higher price because not as many were made. Good Luck!

IF you want it, you should buy it. I recently saw two black ones, the beat up one was $250, perfect $350. I have seen them for as much as $600.

I haven't paid more then $250.00 for my white w/ green tint and they are all with a green tint to them, I have 5 of them. 3 for my 3 Great Nieces and one for me and one for my Granddaughter.I do like my 1955 221 black one and my 1957 222 black one better then the white/green ones.
Didn't pay more then $250 for the 221 1955, but paid a good some for the 222 1957, but not as much as I'd paid from here, mine came from England.
Good luck

They are not as good as the ones that singer made.

Yes, it seems too expensive to me. I realize the white ones are a little more expensive, but I've paid less than $200 for my black ones. And frankly, I'm not impressed by the white ones because they don't have the decals like the black ones.

IT all comes down to, what is it worth to YOU?

One day I'll have a Featherweight, but will wait until I'm plush !!!!! Yea......sure.

I will second this. The older Featherweights are work horses. You can service them yourself. All the moving parts are metal. The new ones are plastic. i would suggest sewing on BOTH before you decide.

it looks in excellent condition.....if i found one like that here in that condition at that price i would buy it with my grocery money and eat oatmeal for dinner next month LOL really hope to find one like that some day.

I paid $300.00 for a replica FW. What a piece of junk. It rattled like a tin lizzie and the thread tension actually fell out of the machine. The stitch length had a mind of its own. Had my brother sell it for $60.00 at the flea market. Guess they can make the parts but just can't match the craftsmanship of the original well trained makers. Oh, I bought it a sewing repair shop! The guy said he would keep working on it till it was perfect. Grrrr.......

if you do decide to buy it (and IMHO, that's a hefty price for it) I must telll you that my local sewing machine repairman tells me that it's been his experience for many years that the white fw's aren't as well made as the black ones. I'd still love to find one for myself, but I'd make darn sure it ran perfectly for that amount of cash - best of luck in your decision!

Weren't the white ones make in England? That is what a friend told me, and she owned one....... but I really don't know.

My friend's was always breaking down, but she loved it because it had been her mother's machine.

The new copies are just junk!

depends on the demand in your general area...but the white ones do go for more money than the black!

The FWs are adorable in the many colors, but I have a Singer 99----1955 ....my first machine when I married. Can't beat this baby for straight stitching, buttonholes (using the attachment) and the simplicity of operation. All metal, made in England, and a gem I will never give up! I love my Viking, but the little black Singer is special. I'm thinking of buying a short shank adapter with a snap on feature for a variety of feet to use on the 99....have any of you done this?

I love my FW and I got it for FREE. Was telling a friend that I was looking for material to practice on before cutting my "good" stuff for quilts. She said she had an old sewing machine of her grandmother's that they were going to PITCH out and asked if I wanted it. She brought me the material and the FW. I was floored. I offered to pay her for it and she said NO. They would have just thrown it in the dumpster. I had it serviced and it works PERFECTLY. Some people throw away the best of things. Keep checking at garage sales and rummage sales.

Wow, free? MAJOR SCORE for you!!