Hi all you lovely people, i've been sitting reading loads of posts on here since the holidays as i am about to start on my first machine made quilt, have only ever made one other and that took two years and was completely stitched by hand for my kingsize bed, and as much as i loved doing it i think it was the time that it took that stopped me making any more, so now i have decided to make a machine one and have been reading about all the different machines, i have a lovely Brother machine that was a present some 7 years ago and i don't want to use it for quilting, but i think i would love a Featherweight, my questions are is there a particular one i should be looking for or is there something i should avoid, i've seen white ones, ones dating in the 50's, and even one from the 70's. are they all as good as each other??
I haven't got a lot of cash to spare so am using some that Santa left for me,
I would appreciate any help you kind people can offer, and would love to thank you all for the help and advice you all give, i love reading and learning all about all of you and your interests,
Thank you all so much.

I don't understand why you want a featherweight right now. Featherweights are great for piecing, but a 7yo Brother is likely to be excellent for piecing also. A featherweight would be no better for quilting than a Brother; both have limited space under the arm for the bulk of a quilt. Since your finances are limited right now, I would postpone purchasing a featherweight.

use your Brother sewing machine and when you can save up $ you can buy yourself a featherweight

I think you would be very limited with a FW for all it can do is a straight stitch. A lot of people buy them because they are cute and lightweight for taking to classes. I sure wouldn't buy one just for quilting. I love piecing with my Juki and It is also great for FMQ.

There were no Featherweights made in the 70's unless they were reproductions, and personally I would stay clear of them. Use your Brother, Why purchase another one if you really aren't sure? They are great for taking to classes but, as far as doing my quilting on them they are to small..

Thanks for the replies, i'm just a little worried about using my Brother machine, in case i do it some damage, but i love the look of the Featherweight and to be honest i would love a 'spare' little machine, that i can use in the evening while with my DH and not in the other room away from him, i'll be able to put the blocks together on a small machine and do the larger parts on the Brother, plus i've £100 and have been told that it must be spent on me and something i'd like and wouldn't ordinarily buy. not things for the house and i really can't think of anything else that i need, i know, a lovely situation, but apart from my crafts i haven't really anything else to spend it on. lucky i know.

Well the 100.00 would be a start for one. They run quite a bit more than that.

I don't know what featherweights cost in the UK. In the U.S., they typically run about $300.

Reproduction featherweights are definitely not worth buying. All of the others are simply a matter of personal taste. Some people consider the white and tan machines to be more rare and valuable; however, others prefer the black machines because they have certain characteristics the others don't have.

Aside from being in running condition, the other factor that affects price greatly is cosmetic condition. A featherweight in bad cosmetic condition will sell for half the price of one in good cosmetic condition.

The featherweights with the removable table (model 222 instead of 221) are much more rare and fetch higher prices. One in good cosmetic condition can sell for $2,000 or more.

Is your Brother machine too heavy to move around easily?

Use the Brother. Sewing machines are meant to be used and quilting is not hard on the machine. The worst thing you can do for a sewing is let it set unused, especially if it was oiled just prior. My Elna has done nearly 40 years of everything from silk organza to a fire retardant racing suit. It still says 'bring it on'.

If you are in the UK contact Graham Forsdyke. He is the man when it comes to featherweights. His email is
[email protected] He'll get you set up. Get what you want; life only comes around 1 time!