Love your featherweight?
01-27-2011, 04:07 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 3,838
I had one & used it a lot in our RV.It was compact, sewed forward & reverse,sewed a perfect quarter inch seam.Sold mine after we stopped traveling.They'd also be good as a back up machine.I didn't go to classes, but would be great size for that.
01-27-2011, 04:24 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
I love my featherweight because it was the first machine I ever sewed on. I started using my mom's featherweight when I was nine. My daughter now has that machine and is using it to make doggie items (snoods, doggie diapers and drying coats). I picked up mine for $45 at a garage sale and use it for classes. I made 20 scrap quilt blocks on it at our Community Quilts afternoon this week and it sewed absolutely perfectly and was the quietest machine there.
01-27-2011, 06:41 AM
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
You are so lucky to get one free! WOWWWWWWWWW
Mine sews like a dream and is so cute and lightweight. I can sew anywhere with it.
So many reasons I love mine and I think they've been given to you by the others :D:D
Mine sews like a dream and is so cute and lightweight. I can sew anywhere with it.
So many reasons I love mine and I think they've been given to you by the others :D:D
01-27-2011, 07:01 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 401
DON'T PASS THAT UP!! I absolutely love mine. I have my grandma's and my mothers (Grandma's is a black Centennial edition and my mom's is the white one). They are the first machines I ever sewed on and I don't think my mom OR my grandma ever took them in for service. I'm not even sure that they were oiled regularly. Both of them hum along just perfectly, have an absolutely perfect straight stitch, and I've never had a problem with either one of them. I bought the CD and book on how to do maintenance on them and took my grandma's apart (myself! - and it was EASY) and cleaned and oiled her and she just purrs! You'll never be sorry. :-)
01-27-2011, 07:11 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
I always wanted an FW because of their beauty and utility. I finally decided to find one. I now have three, tho I might give one to my mom. The stitch is perfect. The machines are beautiful and durable and can be easily maintained and even repaired by the owner. They are an example of American and Scottish craftsmanship at a time when we made our livings making quality products bought by our neighbors. The last seemingly forever, parts are still available. They are compact, portable, and durable, perfect for travel and kids. THEY ARE CUTE! They are social, they attract one another and they seem to draw their owners together. They are easy to use, fix, and collect. They are affordable. I bought one via CL, one from a Singer repair center, and one from Graham Forsdyke. Many people have found them at Goodwill, garage sales, and even the curb. I prefer mine cleaned, refurbed, and fully operational and I don't mind paying for that. Only a fool would pass up a free FW. It takes up no more room than an 8 pack of TP.
01-27-2011, 07:52 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hoosick Falls, NY
Posts: 2,076
Originally Posted by pumpkinpatchquilter
I use mine almost exclusively for piecing. TAKE IT! ;)
First of all they are antiques, they don't make them anymore, so you'll own a little bit of history.
Second they can be EXPENSIVE! I have heard stories of them going for $20 at a yard sale or being passed down in families...but people know what they are so those good bargains are far and few between anymore. I got a bug up my butt and had to have one a few years ago and ended up paying over $300. On the upside it was refurbished and from a sewing center so at least I knew it was in good working order. But they are solid machines and really last forever. Many of the electrical parts that go bad are still replaceable and you can find just about anything on Ebay.
Third, they are portable. This is why they were such a hot item in the 30's, 40's, and 50's when they came out! I take mine camping and to guild meetings. It's a FEATHER weight! ;)
Fourth, they are outstandingly reliable. Featherweights are simple machines, unless really abused they really hold up for a long time.
Fifth, they piece like a dream. I love them because there is just a little hole where the needle goes in and out, other than an open exposed feed like on my other sewing machines. On my newer machines my fabric is always getting sucked down into that exposed area, but you don't have that issue with the featherweight.
Sixth...it's just really cute and fun to sew on. You can show off to all your friends when you get it! ;)
Did I mention you should TAKE IT! ;)
First of all they are antiques, they don't make them anymore, so you'll own a little bit of history.
Second they can be EXPENSIVE! I have heard stories of them going for $20 at a yard sale or being passed down in families...but people know what they are so those good bargains are far and few between anymore. I got a bug up my butt and had to have one a few years ago and ended up paying over $300. On the upside it was refurbished and from a sewing center so at least I knew it was in good working order. But they are solid machines and really last forever. Many of the electrical parts that go bad are still replaceable and you can find just about anything on Ebay.
Third, they are portable. This is why they were such a hot item in the 30's, 40's, and 50's when they came out! I take mine camping and to guild meetings. It's a FEATHER weight! ;)
Fourth, they are outstandingly reliable. Featherweights are simple machines, unless really abused they really hold up for a long time.
Fifth, they piece like a dream. I love them because there is just a little hole where the needle goes in and out, other than an open exposed feed like on my other sewing machines. On my newer machines my fabric is always getting sucked down into that exposed area, but you don't have that issue with the featherweight.
Sixth...it's just really cute and fun to sew on. You can show off to all your friends when you get it! ;)
Did I mention you should TAKE IT! ;)
01-27-2011, 08:33 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington,State
Posts: 1,602
Originally Posted by Marie R
Several times on this board I have read people talking about buying a featherweight and how excited they were. I have an opportunity to have one given to me. Please tell me why you like your featherweight and why they are so popular. Thanks!
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