I'm a new quilter. At my quilting class a couple of the ladies had Featherweights. I fell in love. I was able to find one on Ebay for a reasonable price. It sews like a dream. I definitely wouldn't sell it for twice what I paid for it.

Linda

I'm looking for one on ebay also but prices seem to skyrocket...over my budget...But I look everyday. Congrats...they are beautiful machines and classic

This morning I've taken delivery of mine and am absolutely thrilled. It's so beautiful, and sews so smoothly. I found mine on Ebay too: it's obviously been cherished and is in wonderful condition. Even the case looks like new. We're both 1953 babies, and I think the FW is doing better than me :)
One question: there's no darning foot or feed dog cover included: does anyone know if I'm likely to be able to obtain them?

They are beautiful machines!

Keep checking ebay. I've seen the darning feet and covers from time to time.......but since they are rarer be prepared to pay for them. I'm thinking the feet are going in excess of 70.00. Can't remember on the covers. I have nine 221's and one 222 so if I want to FMQ I use the 222 as the feed dogs drop making it one less thing to buy. I'm piecing almost exclusively now with my FWs. I use them all, but do have my favorites.....lol.

Keep looking - these machines are a wonderful little sewing machine. You will find one - sometimes you have to be patient and do some "hunting" but it is all worth it. I had a lady call me about a little sewing machine she wanted to sell... you guessed it - it was a Featherweight that was her sister's - she wanted to sell it. While I was there picking up that little beauty - her husband disappeared into the back part of the house returning with another black suitcase - It was a second Featherweight that had belonged to his sister!!!! I came out of there with a pair of Featherweights. I was walking on air. I love those little machines. I was thrilled.
Sue

I have a friend who tapes a card over the feed dogs with a hole punched where needle goes...works for her..don't know if they ever made one for the FW

Good idea. I thought I read somewhere that modern Singer feet fit the Featherweight. Anyone know if that's correct?

Here's a cover for the FW.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Singer-221-Feath...item5adf514021

Since I have a choice, my 222, I don't have to worry about making or buying a cover. I suppose if you were to need it often purchasing a cover would be the way to go.

Congratulations! They are precious machines. I couldn't stop with one - I now have 5 and everyday still look on Craig's list.

Wow! The cover for 75.00 on Ebay! Too much. The card is a great idea,

I remember many years ago my mom also used a cardboard to make a cover for the feed dogs. I don't think she used anything else.

Congratulations on your new FW! They are great little machines. I got my 1st FW in January and could sell her for more than what I paid for her but NO WAY would I.

I think most low shank feet will fit the featherweight. I also heard that a card to cover the feed dogs will work. I have not tried that yet.

Thankyou - I think I'll investigate the modern feet : I'm not a purist, if it'll be much cheaper!
Looking on Ebay I was a bit confused by this item

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SINGER-FEA...item43a56e16dd

It doesn't look the same as the photo of the feed cover in my handbook: is it for a later model?

Try this site. Not vintage attachments but the prices are good.

http://www.221parts.com/attachment.htm

I love my 1952 featherweight.
simple quilter

That looks really useful - thanks.

http://www.april1930s.com/ had everything you'll need for your FW. She specializes in them, though does have my 301 accesssories available. Her darning foot is the best I've seen, though mine is slant needle, so it may be different. I love no shipping. The shipping is prompt and the packaging attractive.

They are cute machines. What are you naming your new girl?

Yes, you can purchase all kinds of feet for them on the internet and sometimes Ebay has them.

Another good site, though I nearly fainted at the 150 dollar feed cover - I hope the 8.95 one will do the job!
I don't usually name things - I hope this machine will be called sweetheart, beautiful and similar words - unlike my Janome which, when I try to quilt, is called names that I couldn't repeat here!

Not sure. Maybe after market parts? It looks the same as what's available here. http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....ore/index.html

Yes, it does, and the photo shows how it works. That's great - thankyou. Good to know that parts are easily available.

I love my featherweight too!

I use it for all of my piecing now...I haven't even looked at my computerized machine in a month. LOL I still do my quilting on my bigger comp machine, though, so I can FMQ.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Welcome to the Sisterhood of Featherweight Owners. I've loved my 1946 model ever since I got it in 1972 at the young age of 12. My first machine that I will never ever get rid of.

Oh, that would be a shocker. Reproduction is fine with me. Did you see the 'penquin' walking foot for $600? I only name vintage machines. Actually all mine are considered vintage, but one doesn't know it.

quote=irishrose]http://www.april1930s.com/ had everything you'll need for your FW. She specializes in them, though does have my 301 accesssories available. Her darning foot is the best I've seen, though mine is slant needle, so it may be different. I love no shipping. The shipping is prompt and the packaging attractive.

They are cute machines. What are you naming your new girl?[/quote]

Quote:Another good site, though I nearly fainted at the 150 dollar feed cover - I hope the 8.95 one will do the job!
I don't usually name things - I hope this machine will be called sweetheart, beautiful and similar words - unlike my Janome which, when I try to quilt, is called names that I couldn't repeat here![/quote]

You won't have to buy a feed dog cover if your featherweight came with the Singer buttonholer. To make the Singer buttonhole attachment work, the feed dogs must be covered. Those old buttonholers (green plastic box) all came with a feed dog cover plate. As for a darning foot, a generic short shank darning foot will fit. My Janome darning foot will fit my featherweight so you may have everything you need to FM quilt with your featherweight without buying a thing.

Thanks - I'll check that.

Www. Featherweight221.com or (360) 757-4777 for Dave McCullom, featherweight guru. I've bought feet and a book there, lovely folks. Welcome to the Featherweight Club!

I love mine too! I use "her" mainly for piecing and she sews wonderfully. I'll never sell Bubbles. :thumbup:

Hello from Minnesota. Welcome.

Very lucky u!!! I'm so happy for you! Hope you have fun with them! Do me a favor? Find me a deal like that! Lol

Ooohhhhhh chubby bunny your is pink! Love pink!!

I got mine on ebay. I had ebay email me with "newly listed" featherweigts, and I snapped it up a few hours after listing. I have also heard of the cardboard trick, and think I will try it someday. Featherweights are just too cute! Plus they sew great!

The feed dog cover plus a big foot from Nancy's notions will work just fine. The machine itself is a little small to be doing a lot of FMQ though, it will do it, but smashing a quilt through that little space is a pain unless the project is small. Try to get a 301 or 301A- mine is really nice for FMQ and it is similar to my FW. The prices for the 221's are similar today to what I paid for mine 20 years ago, maybe a little higher, but not much. I will never sell mine, and mostly use it to piece and for camper sewing. Congrats on your find!

Yes, I did think that I wasn't going to be quilting anything big on the FW! But I'd be curious to try FMQ with a small project. Thanks for the heads-up on the 301: I can see a collection of vintage sewing machines coming on!

Hi Linda,
I've gotten feet and other parts at a reasonable cost at deb travis site www.quiltersportable.com
Sandy

Google it online for parts and accessories. There is a plate that fits over the feed dogs and a darning foot for it. I believe one site may be Sew Classics (no affiliation). I got them for mine a long time ago. I also got my FW on Ebay and it is in perfect shape at a reasonable price. I just had to keep looking for a while.

I have lucked out here, found all three of my Featherwights I have purchased, on Craigslist. Keep an eye on there. Type in search line, sewing machine or featherweight. Search surrounding counties ourside your own. And were less expensive than Ebay.