I have had my Fw for about 3 years and this is the first I have heard about there being special needles for them. Anyone have more info on this?

My FW, Miss Jimmie Lee, is absolutely awesome; whether she does the sewing that I need at the moment or not ! I grew up in a foster home in the 50's and early 60's and my foster mother, Jimmie Lee, made just about ALL of my clothes on a FW; up to and including a winter coat and my wedding dress ! When she passed on her shady half brother made off with all her belongings and I never had a chance to recover her FW; HOWEVER, I was at a yard sale last summer and happened upon on; couldn't write $25 check fast enough...when I got in the car with my new baby, I cried !

I've used it a great deal since I purchased it and it does sew awesome straight stitch seams; however, I do have other machines that do the fancy pancy stuff but without sentiment ! SO, to answer your question, my FW is my pride and joy within my sewing machine family !

Wow! You got a real deal! I have a collection of sewing machines from antique treadle to computerized sewing/embroidery. My baby featherweight is still my favorite.

Thank you. i will do that.

I haven't read all the posts here, but I had to say I am a big FW fan. I have three and would buy another if I saw it at a good price. I love sewing on them. I have other more high end machines, a couple of Vikings and Bernina's, among others. But you just can not beat the FW straight stitch. It is precise every time. I have done comparisons and the FW will always win.

Another thing that amazes be about it is how even though it is light weight, it does not feel like you are sewing on a light weight machine. I have used a few of the lighter weight Singers and others and they feel like they will bounce off the table or they rattle and whine. Not the FW. When it is running like it should it should purr like a kitten.

I've had 2 FW's and eventually sold them. I'm spoiled, I like bells & whistles, needle down, good lighting, a few decorative stitches. I just bought a Bernina 330 for classes and bees. I love it, not too heavy.

Ok - I've read three pages of posts. I'll stop now and respond. I love my little 1936 Featherweight. It was my grandmother's machine. I have been sewing on it for over thirty years. I have another machine that has a zigzag stitch and other bells and whistles, but basically all it does is collect dust. I machine quilt smaller things on it only occasionally. I AM a hand quilter. I take it with me rarely as I don't do classes, etc. I piece everything on it. I could thread it, and change the bobbin in my sleep. I do the maintenance myself. And why, oh why??? is there a problem is you ding it up a bit? It's a machine! If you are buying it, thinking of of it as an investment - don't BUY IT! The thing is - for me, it does just exactly what I want - time after time after time. I will not part with it till my dying day. I would not be who I am without it. Have fun with your new machine - whichever you choose.

OK, I'll throw in my 2 cents. Those little FWs are just adorable! Lightweight and hard working, they appeal to my sense of nostalgia too. But good grief, the cost! I know I'm cheap, but for half the price, I got a vintage 301. Actually, in fact, I got two of them. They weigh a few pounds more but not noticeably more, are gear driven (and therefore have needle power) and are very easy to care for myself. But for me the biggest bonus is that the 301 is a full size machine, so I don't have to worry about tiny needles and fumbling fingers. Like the FW, it's straight stitch only, but for classes and retreats, one rarely needs more than that.

There are lots of choices out there for portable SMs, both vintage and new, so you have homework: check them all out and let us know what you decide. Once you do your homework, you'll own a SM that you will love to use every time you fire it up.

I have had a Feather Weight Singer for nearly 50 years and it wasn't new when my Mother gave it to me. It still sews beautifully. I usually just use it when I go to a quilting retreat or a workshop. I have used it when my other machines are in the shop being serviced. I would never sell it. It is great.

My DH just told me he bought a FW for me as an early birthday present. It won't be here for a week or so. He says he was told it was in good working condition, comes with orginal accessories. He didn't know the year, other then "the 50's". I was really really surprised. He normally pays little attention to my musinga about wanting one so I could start going to quilt classes again. I have a Janome 11000 and there is no way, thanks to a bum elbow, I could cart that beauty around we me. I have talked about the one we had when I was a kid, I learned to sew on it, and wished I knew what ever happened to it. I am excited and a bit apprehensive, hoping it is in good running order as he was promised!