Thanks for all the replys yesterday on the Fiskars ruler/cutter duo. Now I have a new question and hope it's not too silly. I am fairly new to quilting so hopefully this is not a stupid questioion.

Everyone seems to want a Featherweight sewing machine. May I ask why and which model would be the one you would want? Also, I know depending on the condition of it, what is a reasonable price?

I have been checking them on ebay and of course the prices vary quite a bit.

they CAN sew like a dream and they're light weight.

I bought one off of ebay, for around $177 with shipping. I just love the little thing. I sew on it more, than my expensive machine. It's a 1947 model.

The OLD Singer featherweights are wonderful little machines...not to be confused with the new models called featherweight....you can't get a straighter stitch with a portable machine, and the lightweight aspect makes them great class machines.

On Ebay? I've seen prices range from $150 to $600...depending on condition, color and who else wants it...average being somewhere in the $300 range...

I got mine on ebay a 1938 for 145.00 on a Saturday late night no one was bidding. I can sit in front of the tv and it is so quiet no one complains. I have a top of the line Janome and rarely use it. Oh yes you want a 221....

The only model featherweight that you would want is a model 221 (what most quilters have) or 222 (rare and extremely expensive!).

I learned to sew as a child on my mom's Featherweight and it was the only machine she had until I was 15. Every time I use mine it brings back good memories. :)

Sometimes you can just get lucky buying a featherweight. Check estate sales and Kijiji. A couple of weeks ago, I answered an ad in Kijiji and a lady was advertising two old Singers for $60. She was cleaning out her mother's and her aunt's houses and didn't sew or even know what she had. From the fuzzy picture and description, I thought at least one of them might be a featherweight. When I got there, both were 221's, one a 1948 model and the other a 1952. I felt almost guilty as I handed her the $60 and quickly loaded them before she changed her mind. Both of them needed a good cleaning but have all the attachments and the instruction books. The machines are out there and hunting for one gives you something to search for at auctions and estate and garage sales. I have never yet found a 222 or the card table or cabinet for the 221 at any sales but I am ever hopeful.

I have the cardtable, but no machine!

Wow Shelbie, great buy on the featherweights. I'd love to find a deal like that.