What makes a sewing machine a featherweight? I got this at an auction and it is in a case and it is really heavy. A friend of mine told me it is NOT a featherweight. Besides an old machine what is it?

It's not a featherweight. Featherweights weight about 12 pounds and have a little shelf to the left of the needle that is hinged and folds up. The weight makes it easily portable.

Not sure which model you have exactly, but the condition is excellent and it should sew very, very well. I love those old machines, but they do weigh a lot. Machines such as yours are collectible also; they just do not typically have as much monetary value as featherweights (which are prized because of their portability).

Oh, and a featherweight would not be in a wooden base like that. They stand on their own.

It's not a featherweight but it is nice. The model number is on the little plaque below the Singer badge on the front of the machine. I can't see the number in your picture. Featherweights have a fold-up shelf to the left of the needle and are smaller.

My uneducated guess is that it is 99. They are 3/4 size machines known to be great stitchers. Put 'vintage sit' in the search box and the vintage machine shop will open. There are people there who can help you.

My DH says he thinks it is a model 15-91 Singer. If you go to the Singer Serial number website, you can enter the serial number and it will tell you the year it was made and the model number.

My guess would also be a 99. If you look up the serial number on the Singer site, you can get more info on it.
Looks like a great machine!

Send a PM to lostn51 on here...he's our resident expert.

I believe it is a 15-91. See how the the tension adjuster & thread uptake are on the side with the faceplate? It also has a vertical bobbin case. The 15-91 is neat because you can drop the feed dogs & do FMQ with it.

A 99 has the tension adjuster on the front (if you are facing the machine like you are sewing on it) & yes it is a 3/4 sized machine.

p.s. - I'm looking to get one & have compared soooo many pictures that I've got at least these two models distinguished from each other.

It is a Model 15.
Tension knob is on the faceplate.
Dead giveaway.............

Blessings,
Sandi

You can FMQ on a featherweight, too.

It's not just an old machine it's a old Singer.These old machines just didn't know when to quit.Is it in working condition? I say use it and enjoy it.I sew on my old Morse all the time,simply because it makes better stitches than either one of my newer ones.

I haven't tried FMQ on my Featherweight because a) I didn't know the feed dogs would drop Or are you covering them? and b) I can't imagine wrangling with a large quilt on that small machine. Depending on the answer for "a" I might try it for small projects though. Will be watching for your reply. Thx.

First, gorgeous machine!

Second, see my attempts to figure out my machine:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-42596-1.htm, it directs you to some places to find out more about YOUR machine.

Then, do a search here on the group, there is a section on Vintage Machines, and tells how to restore them too, if needed.

It's a 15-91! and a gorgeous one. Not really portable, as you can see. But totally heavy duty. I have one. that baby will sew through ANYTHING. Leather, jeans, you name it. you have a great machine! Not a featherweight, but a wonderful machine. Join our vintage thread and have fun.

I bought mine on the advice of the experts here, and it is everything they said it would be.

The feed dogs do not drop and although I have a cover, I do not use it. I set my stitch length to zero, release the pressure on the presser foot, use a thin batting like Warm & Natural, and do any size quilt I want. Oh, I have also converted a dining table to a sewing table by using foam insulation sheets to cover the table & raise its height to the height of my needle plate.

Google 'featherweight sewing machine' in images and you will see several photos of true featherweight machines.

http://www.google.com/images?q=feath...ls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1381&bih=643

I do quite a bit of FMQ on my Featherweight. To release the pressure on the pressure foot, you loosen the screw knob on the top of the left of the machine right next to the face plate. I also have the cover for the feed dogs but have never used it.

how nice