Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Are Singer Feather Weights Really That Great? >
  • Are Singer Feather Weights Really That Great?

  • Are Singer Feather Weights Really That Great?

    Old 04-23-2012, 11:11 AM
      #51  
    Junior Member
     
    Briarberry's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: SW Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 185
    Default

    I have been looking for a FW for months but they are very expensive around here. While looking for the FW I have purchased a Singer 185J which is a nice 3/4 machine, I bought it because it was cheap and green. I also found a lovely 99K which is the same size as the 185J, I love how it purrs when I use it. Just this weekend I brought home a tan 301a which I can see becoming my favourite machine. It is called the FW's big sister sometimes. It is full sized but only weighs 16 lbs. Mine came in a lovely cabinet and it pops out easily for when I need to use it for a class. So what I am saying is, you can find lots of nice machines besides the FW. If I do find one for a reasonable price I may buy it but I am very pleased with the stitches the 301a makes and I like the look of the 301a too.
    Briarberry is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 11:14 AM
      #52  
    Senior Member
     
    collady's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Batesville, Arkansas
    Posts: 852
    Default

    OH YES!!!!! I love mine, and feel so thankful that my sister-in-law didn't want it as it was her mother's and now mine!
    collady is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 11:22 AM
      #53  
    Member
     
    Join Date: May 2011
    Location: Costa Rica
    Posts: 24
    Default

    I have a Bernina 930 and an Activa 135 and bought a cheap Brother because it was light weight and I go to a sewing group every Tuesday and my Berninas are way too heavy. I do not love the Brother so was wishing for a FW after doing some research on this site. Lo and behold, my sister still had my mother's FW and it is to be mine as soon as I go back to the states and pick it up. I am so excited to be getting a FW and the fact that it made all of my clothes for the first 16 years of my life is an extra hug!
    Toucanlady is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 11:54 AM
      #54  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Posts: 6,430
    Default

    I inherited a FW and I love it for piecing. The stitches are so even and the feed dogs feed the fabric very evenly, something one of my newer machines does not do. So, yes, I love it.
    carolynjo is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 12:25 PM
      #55  
    Z
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2011
    Location: Guam
    Posts: 160
    Default Elna quilting

    Originally Posted by irishrose
    Interesting points. A FW heavy? 12 pounds?? The 301 at 16 pounds is my choice for the reasons given above. Trene, I'm surprised your Elna wlll quilt. Mine won't which is why I have the 301. That auto adjusting presser foot and the zigzag plate are two of the reasons she doesn't quilt well. I do love that machine and have used it for almost 40 years for everything imaginable, but the 301 is my piecer, my FMQer and my class machine.

    FWs are adorable, that's for sure. What does the 'new' anniversary one weigh?
    You said that you couldn't quilt on your Elna because of the zigzag plate. You can get a little snap on plate that covers the hole to allow for free motion quilting. Have you tried using a walking foot for regular, not free motion, quilting? You can get an open toe foot so that it is easier to see what you are doing. This allows you to use the built in stitches. The wavy zigzag or serpentine makes a wonderful design. Give it a try. I use both my Elna Super 62C and 64 for
    quilting.
    Z is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 01:25 PM
      #56  
    Super Member
     
    patdesign's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: So. Fla now, Va orig
    Posts: 1,565
    Default

    [QUOTE=AZ Jane;5163812]LOL, I'm new to quilting but have managed to collect 5 machines so far, only one with auto-threader. I found a serger threader at Jo-Ann's. It is like a regular needle threader but way longer and it makes it much easier to thread all my machines. If you are having trouble seeing that tiny, tiny hole I highly recommend them. Here is a picture but I have seen them in other colors.
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]329943[/ATTACH]


    Butler Floss Threaders also work
    patdesign is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 01:27 PM
      #57  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Home Valley, Washington
    Posts: 25
    Default

    I love my FW and I take it out once in awhile. It has a nice stitch, but for classes I take my Singer 301 or my Singer 99K. Not afraid to leave when we break for lunch.
    river rat is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 01:38 PM
      #58  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Washington
    Posts: 4,001
    Default

    I have several and they are great. Depends on what you want. If you like the look, the feel, and the fun of having one, buy it, if you don't buy a new one.
    sewbeadit is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 01:59 PM
      #59  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Feb 2011
    Posts: 59
    Default

    I had a FW that I sold 2 years ago. Don't miss it. I love my Viking Sapphire 875. Up/down needle, cuts thread, cruise control... I'll take that any day over a FW.
    dmsaki is offline  
    Old 04-23-2012, 02:45 PM
      #60  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Anacortes,Washington
    Posts: 135
    Default

    After having a Viking Designer (1, then SE, now Diamond) I couldn't amagine sewing without all the bells and whistles, especially the thread cutter. Go with whatever you are comfortable with.
    vickie1976 is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    karensue
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    4
    04-01-2012 02:42 AM
    Nana Julie
    Main
    4
    06-01-2011 08:52 AM
    SuziC
    Main
    71
    03-10-2011 05:11 PM
    Halfsquare
    Links and Resources
    7
    03-08-2011 02:51 AM
    Brendat0426
    Main
    0
    11-05-2010 10:46 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off


    FREE Quilting Newsletter