Hope it turns out well for you.

My husband collects, repairs, and sells the vintage Singer featherweights. We didn't even know that featherweights are still made. Whatever it is, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Congratulations and be sure to post a picture when you can. - Cynthia

They haven't manufactured the real Featherwieht sicne 1960's. I am real anxious to see this one. For 12.50, I guess you can't go wrong!!

Congratulations girl ..... I love mine .... she sews slow but I love her ....... I named mine Betty!!!!!

thats great

Can't wait to see pic. My FW was DH mother's and she USED it. LOL

As soon as my dd comes home and shows me how to get the picture on here I'll put it on the board. she lives about an hour and 1/2 away,but with all the snow she hasn't been home. But as soon as I can I'll post a picture!You guys are not going to believe it!It looks just like the old ones and it isn't plastic.Like I said if it is a replica it is a really good one

Katie. If it's made in 2010, like you've said. It is a replica. If you've read the thread people have posted info. about this and the replicas. The outside may be metal, but the innards are a different story. Have fun with it regardless. It's for sure worth $10!

Wow lucky you. Wish I could find buys like that.

YES, we all want to see a picture....P*L*E*A*S*E

I don't share the FW craze so maybe I'm not seeing clearly but if she isn't planning to sell it for a profit, why not just let her enjoy her gift. When I hear about FWs as "investments," I think "Can you say Beanie Babies?"

:-)

The point is that the 118 is nothing at all like the 221 in looks, materials, or performance. It is not a replica. But it does have that name "featherweight". The 221 replicas look like the vintage machines, but they don't perform as well. Investment value didn't even enter the picture in the discussions. We're just trying to figure out what she has, if it says 2010 and also featherweight. I don't think of any vintage machines as being good investments.

You can check on the date a Singer was manufactured by using the serial number at the Singer website:
http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html

It can even tell you where your machine was built.

I don't think many of us buy these for a profit. We buy them because we appreciate the ORIGINAL VINTAGE FEATHERWEIGHT. Which by the way has not been produced since the 1960's....., Not 70's, not 80's not 90's and certainly not 2010!!!

Interesting that Singer now calls another newer machine a featherweight. The featherweight was the very first machine that I ever owned, I paid $50 in 1961, and sold it for $400.00 in 2005. Never intended it as an investment, it was just the greatest machine I ever owned, I have many vintage machines today (and yes I replaced my Featherweight that served me well for almost 45 years and was still going strong) and they are all great investments, yes I said investments, they (The old metal gear ones)are almost in destructible and can handle just about anything. When I see "old" machines commanding the prices they are bringing on ebay and elsewhere I do believe they have an investment value, of course there are "beanie babies" and real estate to prove the other side of the argument, just depends on your perspective. In my humble opinion the
Featherweight was the best machine Singer ever designed and I have sewn on just about all of them.:-D

Enjoy your gift!!!

Alphasew makes the reproduction FW's and I can buy them for under $200 my cost. But do not know what kind of quality they have being made in China.

Billy

I bought one a few years ago for my niece. She wanted a little machine like mine but I wasn't in a position to buy a FW at that time. I did find a cheap Alpha Sew and, to put it bluntly, it was a piece of crap.

I figured as much, they are like the Chinese Singers that are out there in the treadles. They make great targets for shooting at though!! :mrgreen:

Billy

Does it really make a difference if it is the real thing or a replica? Katie loves it and that's all that should matter. Have fun with your new machine!

Quality control..........that is really the only major set back to it. I would hate for her to loose interest in sewing because her machine gave her fits. But for now it is working great and she is having a ball so your right that is all that matters.

Billy

I guess some people like Reproductions. Most of us want the real thing!!

I'm sorry you all [Except for a few]feel that it makes such a difference if my featherweight is a real one or not.Most of you have turned a happy time into a controversy over this.I am sorry but I don't think I want to be a part of this board anymore.And to " Featherweight"I'm sorry but most people I know can't even afford a sewing machine.I feel sorry for you if this bothers you so much.I want to thank those of you that made me feel welcome and I will miss you.Bye

Well said.........and please do not let this thread lead you away from this posting Board. A stitch is a stitch is a stitch and however and upon whatever is not important. The craft of quilting is what needs to be preserved. Please stay.

Please don't leave!!! Most of us here are so happy that you got this GIFT! Even the husband agrees that you shouldn't let this keep you from using your machine and enjoying it and not to let some of the 'downers' put you off. Please stay!!

Katie - I am so sorry your feelings got hurt so badly. I think the ladies just wanted to make sure you had accurate information, not to disparage your treasure. As the thread grew, many of the comments were directed more towards other peoples posts, not your original one, with no intention to hurt you. Let me encourage you to stick around for awhile longer so you can see how caring and helpful these ladies are.

OUCH!!!!

Katie, Please stay. And congratulations on your wonderful gift.

Katie, Your input is every bit as valued as anyone else's. Our variations are what make it all so interesting, and we don't want to lose you, Katie.

If you read through all the threads about this, I am not the only one that wants to know what it is. We are all very curious now. I just made the statement, fact, that they did not make a Featherweight 221 in 2010. And I did also state that what ever kind of Featherweight it was that 12.50 was a very good price and Enjoy!! You all have a great day!!!

ditto. Speak for yourself only, please!
Katie, I'd like to learn more about your gift (speaking for myself only) and hope you'll stay with us.

Harsh

yes... Katie... all people are not the same,,, but i must admit... about 4 "notes" into this, the same thought has occured to me... this is a great place for "info"...but not for emotional support by all....

I guess some people like Reproductions. Some of us want the real thing????? What do you think?

Are you asking our opinions over buying a repro or an original?? If so, the original will retain value and be better made. Isn't this sort of a dead horse in that a photo hasn't even been posted?

Katie I have 3 old W&G Wilcox & Gibbs machines, they are cute as a button, but not in working order, I do have a FW and I love it and it works, its birthday did not matter to me, as being a war baby they did not make them in my year. Some fw purest do not like the new paint on some, red blue what ever, BUT I'd love to have one in each jewel color, and if they are not worth as much when I croke ask me if I care? not at all I want what I want and enjoy it, who ever gets it later? well they can like it or not, NOT my problem, you just enjoy your new baby and have fun with her, by the way have you named her yet? mine is Birgit :-)

Apparently this means more to you than me Candace!

So, you ask for an opinion and I gave you mine. If you don't like it, then don't ask for an opinion to start with.

She never asked for opinions, she was just sharing her excitement over a gift. It's not so much what is said, but how it is said...rather like your tone of voice reveals so much more then the words alone, the tone of some of the posts was painful to read and they weren't directed to me.

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

You're quite welcome ;-)