There is absolutely NO plastic inside the vintage machines, so nothing to break. They were made to LAST, make a perfect stitch, and look really cool, too. :) I sew on nothing older than a 1930-ish machine.

Hi, I learnt to sew on my mother's old singer, and have started to look for one for myself. There is a knee control one that I am interested in but I have only ever used foot control. How easy is the knee control to use -- I'm not the most skilled sewer?
thanks

Hey Felicia, I think that's a Singer 66 with the red eye decals, not a featherweight! Goes to show you there are MANY really COOOOOL vintage & antiques out there. ;) Yeah, you need one. ha ha

I have a newer computerized Brother machine and I use it for piecing. I bought it for the drop feed for FMQ. But, the work space is only 5". So I bought a 1953 Singer 15-125 off Craigslist, because it had a screw that would drop the dog feed and had 7" of work space. 2" may not sound like a lot, but it is to me. I was so surprised at the power of the old Singer that at first I was scared of it...ha. Now it's the only machine that I use for FMQ. I would love to get a mid arm set up or (in my dreams) a long arm, but I will probably always keep this old Singer.

Get this one. Last year I got a Singer 31-15 treadle for FMQ, and the throat space is almost 10.5"!!! It's an industrial, and there are several models with similar harp space. Mine is totally AWESOME for my FMQ, and I'll never need to contemplate the long arm. They just don't make them like that anymore.

I've just spent the last hour on line looking at the 66's. I was born in 1966 so maybe I can use the ole' number game with the hubby on why I need one. He doesn't really need to know that they were produced many many years before then, does he? Hahaha I love that decal!

the knee control is very easy---just a little practice! I have several....

The old girls sew PERFECT straight stitches......and go through 6 layers of denim with no adjustments of tension....

Yeah, you REALLY need one. lol Watch your local Craigslist. I don't think I've paid more than $50-75 for any of my machines. Just need to be patient and aware of what's being listed. Oh, and doesn't hurt to counter-offer, too! ;) Are there any old machines that may be in one of your family's attics??

I have a Featherweight I bought in 1964, used when I bought it. It still works great, and has never been to the repair shop. I bought a new Singer about 5 years ago, and it has already gone to the trash.