retrogirl02

I learned on a vintage machine and have always preferred the ease of use and substantial materials used in production of older machines. Don't get me wrong, I use a newer one, too....I'm not a one machine kinda gal. In any case, my newest addition is a featherweight that starts with AF, possibly followed by a T. It came with several attachments & seems to be in excellent condition, runs perfectly. I'm anxious to learn more and would greatly appreciate any input. I'll post pics when I figure out how to attach my camera to my husband's macbook, my computer died a while ago which is why I haven't been active on my blog or here on the board.
Thank you,
Heather

MimiBug123

I've got 2 FWs and love them both--the twins, Fiona and Phoebe. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine! Congrats!!!!

retrogirl02

Thank you, MimiBug123! I'm excited that it runs so smoothly. Were you able to find out any info about your machines when you purchased them? I'm wondering about when it was manufactured and anything about the attachments. Oh, and I probably should have mentioned it has a very pretty fancy looking scroll plate....I'm figuring that is important.

quiltsRfun

You'll love your little featherweight. I just finished oiling mine since I'll be using her while my big machine is in for service. I'm really looking forward to sewing with her. You should be able to find out when yours was made by looking up the serial number on the Singer website. You can find that number by taking off the plate on the bottom. You should probably do that anyway to clean and oil her. If you don't have an owner's manual I think they're available for download if you do a Google search.

I'd love to have one with the fancy scroll faceplate.

retrogirl02

I saw dates that are AF but I'm not sure if the next one is a T or a number, it's a little difficult to read. My guess is from the serial number info sites she's about 1938(ish?). =) I'm nervous about cleaning or anything like that & figure I best do a bit of research first.

I love that it is SO quiet. My biggest reason for doing only handwork when I sew in groups has always been because I can't hear the conversations when machines are humming along. I'm looking forward to packing up my little FW for our library quilt group very soon to see if I can chat as I piece.

If the owner's manual is a little green book, I have that and a bunch of other stuff in a full tray at the top of the box. The box has attachments, bobbins, a spare light bulb & if the oil comes in a tube in a thin, green box that's in there, too. The scroll faceplate is pretty....does it have any significance?

deedum

Where is everyone getting these featherweights from? Like I need another machine. Happy for you. Enjoy your weight weight

quiltsRfun

Yes, the owner's manual is the little green book. I think the tube is probably motor lubricant and not oil. They're not used interchangeably. The oil that came with mine was in flat a tin can with a spout and comes out in drops. If the stuff in the tube is thick it's not oil. But you can pick up machine oil at any sewing shop.

didi

retrogirl02, go to ismacs.net type in the search box, Singer sewing machine serial number database. and you will be able to look up your number to see when it was born. What are you going to name it??

sandyl

I don't think you are supposed to "oil" the gears but rather use the "lubricant" in the tube. You will love you Featherweight.

quiltsRfun

Lubricant for the gears, oil for the other spots indicated in your manual.