WEBEFISHER

HI<br>My wife is looking for a lightweight machine. she has to climb about 40 stairs straight up.<br>Hoping get her one for a present. Looking for economical 3/4 size aluminum. Half size would be better.<br><br>I know the post war Japanese machine would work, but there are so many brands!<br>How can you limit search to just the lighter ones?<br><br>Any suggestions would really be appreciated, I've gone nuts trying to google everthing, I mean really<br>Nuts.<br><br>Any for sale we'd be interest in?<br>Ge/standard sewhandy, Japanese.<br><br>Thanks<br>Allan and Nancy<br><br><br>

quiltsRfun

Featherweight (Singer 221) would be my suggestion for a vintage machine.

leonf

221 featherweight would be a good choice. but way expensive
301 is aluminum bodied adn very nice
99 is a 3/4 machine and a small number of them were made of aluminum

Those are all Singers.
Post war Japanese machines were nearly all cast iron.

Some Domestics/Whites were made of magnesium but they don't have much of a following.[ATTACH=CONFIG]614401[/ATTACH]

bearisgray

I bought a Bernina 1006 through Craigslist. It's a nice little machine.

It did not come with a carrying case, but it does have a carrying handle.

Tartan

The Singer Featherweight is a great, straight stitch only machine. They are getting pricey because quilters like them for taking to workshops because they are so light weight.

bkay

There is a Kenmore that is nice and lightweight. I don't remember the model. Perhaps Janey will remember.

bkay

OurWorkbench

Thanks, bkay. You are really putting me to the test.

Fortunately, I think I know which one you are referring to. There is a 'series' of Kenmores as indicated at http://www.manualsdir.com/manuals/66...1045-1040.html that are light weight 3/4 size machines.

Dorothy brought a 1040 to our last "Get-Together" as shown at the June 1, 2019 - Part 1
Colorado get-together? I think the differences in the models is the stitches that they can do.

I'm guessing since the OP posted this in the vintage that the modern light weight machines are not on the list. My sister has the treadle that she learned to sew on and really likes using it when she can. She has a Janome Gold, I believe, that she is really happy with to take to class/guild, etc.

The previous machines mentioned in this thread are all straight stitch machines (221, 301, Domestic/Whites, and the aluminum 99s I think are the 185's) I don't remember what the Kenmore age is off the top of my head, but have zigzag capabilities.

I see that Allan mentioned the Sew Handy. I think that they are cute, and would like to see one. It seems like I have read that they can be troublesome compared to some of the others. I know several of the ones mentioned can be as well. The advantage of the the 221 and 301s is that there were a large number made and have a following. Also there are several sites that include details in proper upkeep and maintenance for.

If you can find a machine in great condition like Dorothy's, that would be a good option at a lesser cost than the Featherweight 221.


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Lee in Richmond

I got a 'featherweight' 221, but the only reason it weighs less than it might is that it is 3/4 size. The wonderful 201 weighs 32 lbs out of its cabinet -- not something you want to lug around. I take my inexpensive Brother to 'sit 'n sews', as it is the lightest of all.

leonf

My 185 is cast iron.

WEBEFISHER

HI we just got a sewmor featherlight off of ebay. It looks really nice and has a gold feather on top and on the bed.
pretty cool!

I had google burn-out so I was glad to get one this quickly.
When we get it I'll weight and measure it so every one will know.
It's really hard to get any specs on these japanese machines,
hope The quality is like things they make now.

Thanks for you time helping me!
Allan and Nancy