Feather weight attachments
 

I purchased a beautiful feather weight yesterday for a very good price. Unfortunately no accessories. I would like to get the attachments, bobbins, needles and manual. I did see some attachments on ebay. But I have no idea how to know for sure they will fit the feather weight. Can anyone provide the enough or direct me to a link where I can find it.
Thanks for your help.

I have a helpful site that I am not affiliated with. www.april1930s.com. There is also a really helpful book. It is brown with gold print. It has the original manual inside of it and then a lot of helpful information. I'm sorry, I recently moved so I don't think I can find it quickly. Maybe someone else has it. Good Luck and enjoy your new baby!

With the Featherweight you are in luck, it takes general low shank feet and attachments. Accessory boxes for a 15, 66, 99, 201, and other straight stitchers will generally work. There are a few exceptions like cover for the feed dogs and possibly darning feet that needs to be especially for the Featherweight. On fleabay there are often bundles of feft and attachments, they can be a goof buy. The bobbins have to be especially for the Featherweight, very few other models take this type. The buttonholers for the old straight stitchers are very nice. Some of the zigzaggers are better than others.

Here is a link to the book by Nancy Johnson-Srebro.
Again, no affiliation with this, just for info.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SINGER-FEATH...MAAOxy-gBR-UKz

Note to moderators: if I made a mistake posting this, my apologies. I so hate to break the rules.

Sorry for the typos, I'm on a phone and it acts up. It shoud be "a good buy" on a lot / bundle on fleabay, could easily turn out a goof if most of the lot are the wrong kind though LOL.

Oh thank you. That's wonderful! I have a 15 with a good amount of attachments. So I guess I just need some bobbins.

Thank you. I will check this out.

Also sew-classic is another option.

http://shop.sew-classic.com/1-Sewing...e-Parts_c2.htm

Enjoy your FW. It's a fun little machine.

Rob

What size needles? Are they the same as the 15 and 99 K?

Yes the same type needles as your 15 and 99. Since you have a few attachments there's no hurry, and you can take your time sorting out which you think might be worth getting.

I highly recommend getting an LED bulb for your featherweight. Those traditional bulbs can give you one heck of a burn when you reach through the harp to grab fabric or snip thread.
Enjoy! I love featherweights.
Ila

Regular needles but insert flat side toward the shaft and thread right to left.

I second the recommendation for an LED bulb! I gave myself a nice little burn on the back of my hand before I took that advice for myself.

I was just tuning mine up last night, it's going on vacation with me this weekend. It's such a nice little machine to sew on - I don't use it regularly at home but every time I take it out and use it I'm reminded of how sweet it is. A wonderful little piecing machine. Congratulations on getting yours!

I recommend getting a good quality bobbins!!!! The recommended sew-classic has quality bobbins and parts. The low priced bobbins can cause you big problems. You can download a 221 manual free from the Singer.com web site.

Over the years there were a few alterations to the Featerweight. RebeccaG, have you looked up the serial number on yours and found a production date? Among them were slight changes to the the bobbin case, race and hook, if you ever need an extra for some reason (like having one dedicated to a particular thread weight) make sure it's the right one. Here's a direct link to a manual. I like the chromed plates with the art nouveau decor on the chromed plates, I hope a 201K2 will turn up near me one day :- )

All this information can befound various places on the web. There are lots of blog posts and even a facebook page dedicated to this model.

Thank you all for your help. It is a centennial and the serial number does match up with 1951. So Mickey was that after the changes? I am finding groups here in there that fancy the machine. I appreciate all the suggested links.
One thing I know I will need to replace is the foot peddle for sure. It is cracked on the bottom. This group helped me out so much when I first starting getting involved in working on vintage singers. I was warned it is a slippery slope. But so far one I am enjoying tremendously. I can't wait to get this little one cleaned up. Told hubby it would be my traveling sewing machine, like when we go camping or something. He looked at me like I was crazy! lol Well...maybe I am, but in a good way.

I have to look up the changes, I read it some where on the web, I shall have to come back to it. I'm sure someone here on The Quilting Board is all onto it, there are some very knowledgeable people on this forum. The vintage section here is a bit down at the moment due to a new forum Victorian Sweatshop.

There is blog called The Archaic and the Arcane, the owner uses and likes the Featherweight, and there are some very good posts both on the Featherweight and sewing machines in general. The fact that she fixes up any machine and actually uses the Featherweight has to be a plus ;- ) She has the best advice on how to service the button type bakelite pedal too. If it's cracked or chipped it probably needs replacing, but if it's the rubber feet only, there are new replacements available.

I think the Featherweight facebook page is commercially oriented, but there's generally a lot of helpful tips and videos along with all the things you can get for your Featherweight. The Vintage Singer Yahoo Group might be the best place for expert advice.

Absolutely! You don't forget those burned fingers, been there and done that! Where did you get your LEDs?

Very good products for feather weight. Have ordered many times very satisfied with products and service

I have a lovely original tan featherweight. She sews so nice and quietly. People are always asking what the original color was, they think I had it repainted.
Sharon in Texas

I believe the changes Mickey was referring to, has to do with the rotary hook assembly and the unnumbered tension. There were a few other changes but mostly cosmetic. You don't have to worry about those changes as most of the featherweight information deals with ones after the changes. From my understanding, the changes were made early on - like in the 1930's.

Good luck with your FW and enjoy -- Great little machines.

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

Thank you all for the info. I have ordered parts for it. I will begin the cleaning process. I can't thank you enough for all the help I received. Thank you for the private messages with links.
The only thing I question my decision on is the foot peddle. I ordered a new one. I would like to keep it true to original but feel leary of purchasing a used pedal. I do want to use the machine. So perhaps it's wiser going the new route.

I like to keep things "original" however, for the vintage machines I use, most have been converted to modern foot controls. I got tired of getting a hot foot, and I find I get better control that way. I don't get rid of the old ones, so I still have them as part of the collection, I just don't use them.

I have two machines with the button type pedal, I use the 201 all the time, and the pedal never gets hot, at most luke warm, hardly noticeable. I have developed a feel for it, use it the wrong side around with my foot on top of it since I allways sew with just socks on. You are suppose to wear propper shoes and have the heel on the floor.

I find these pedals better than their reputation. If they get noticeably warm or very little control from slow to full speed they need adjustment. If you do a bit of search on this you will find others who have bought brand new pedals of the best kind and still complain about very abrupt speed control. I have yet to find an explanation for this.

I just received my peddle from sew classic. It was tough getting it on the machine. Also when you lift your foot off the peddle it slows but doesn't stop unless you push hard down on the smaller part and hold it.if you lift your foot off it slowly runs still. Which is not good having that needle moving. It is the peddle they recommend. Has anyone purchase a peddle from them? I think it just might be defective. But don't want to have another sent if it's going to be the same result.

an absolute MUST. Cheap ones are often oversized and wont work or they are thin metal and bend. Its hard to see the defective ones, but they will cause you tons of trouble to a machine that is trouble free if you oil it and change the needle. I love the button foot pedal and run it with my big toe with great precision. The FW is my main machine. I use it every day for 99% of my sewing. I obviously love mine.