I'm either an idjit or totally brilliant -- you decide
 

I have absolutely no luck with auctions at E-Bay -- even when I'm there in the final seconds someone comes along and makes a bid just above mine. The last straw was 4 Featherweights all ending the same day. My limit was $250.00 postage included. Two went too high and the others got snatched out from under me in the last second. So... I found this newly listed "Buy it Now" and grabbed it. No case, few attachments, 220V, but it shows minimal wear, has been serviced by a professional and is ready to go. http://www.ebay.com/itm/261194409097...84.m1439.l2649

We were born in the same year about 150 miles away from each other. Her in Scotland and me in North England, so we sort of speak the same language (just different accents :) ). The step down transformer was an additional $17.00. I figure I can make a quilted carry bag for her and I have a 15-91 which came with tons of attachments I think will fit a Featherweight.

So... have I made a collossal mistake or a good purchase?

Oh, and does anyone know where I can download a manual for her (hopefully free)?

I don't think you did bad. Especially since you've been wanting one and having no luck, and you already have quite a few things in common with her already. I really love my featherweight. Enjoy!

When bidding on ebay, have you ever tried eSnipe (www.esnipe.com)? You set up your maximum bid on esnipe and it will submit your bid seconds before the bidding ends. This way, the price doesn't get jacked up by people putting in offers to top each other. I have successfully bid and won using esnipe. It doesn't cost that much and you only pay if you win the auction. It is legal also.

Gail

I think it's a beautiful machine- congratulations. I use a small rolling suitcase for mine- lots of room for accessories, fabric, etc. I've seen others in rolling coolers and even tool caddies. I think there are free manual downloads on Singer.com, and I'm sure other folks have resources to recommend. Enjoy!

You will love your Featherweight. I have 2 and they are sweet machines! Low shank attachments from your 15-91 will fit her. Enjoy!

You can download a free manual here (scroll down to 221K) : http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...e-manuals.html

I hope I wasn't one of those who beat you to the punch, as I just won the bidding on a 1950 and a 1952 FW. The date on the '52 was October 8, 1952, which makes it just 2 months older than me. I figured this would be the closest I would come to my birthday and couldn't resist.

I think it looks clean, and if it sews, you got a good deal, even without the case. I carry whichever FW I am using at the moment in a rolling Igloo cooler which I bought at Walmart. I can't remember what size it is, but you can always carry your machine in the store to try it out. It has plenty of room for the machine and pedal, fabric, notions, etc. It also has a separate pocket on the top, so I can carry my rotary cutter and scissors separate from the fabric. You should be able to find additional feet on eBay, or there are several sites for 221 parts. Enjoy your "new" machine. There is nothing better than a FW for sewing a simple seam!

Here is another link for a 221 manual:

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ght-manual.pdf

Belfrebat,

When bidding on eBay or any place else, place the highest bid you are willing or able to pay, then walk away. Either you win it or you don't. Don't bother fighting with other bidders, or trying to snipe some nit wit with the e-snipe cheater program. It makes it easier that way.

You can buy reproduction cases here: { http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/sew...ine-cases.aspx }

Perhaps you are a totally brilliant idjit. :) I've done what you are doing with sewing machines, guns, cars and trucks. When you can't find one complete and set up the way you want, buy one that's bare but in good shape and make it like you want it.

Joe

I agree totally with Joe. Place your max bid and walk away or at the very most, watch. You may get it and you may not. But, you won't suffer a nervous breakdown and you won't be enticed into a bidding war. I often see people who say someone came in at the last second, just a dollar more and beat me. That may or may not be true. They may have had a higher max bid already in there and only needed to beat you by a dollar to win. I'm guessing that happens more often than not.

Noel

Bidding and walking away used to work for me in the early years of E-Bay but no longer. I'm often the highest bid until the last few minutes when someone beats me by the next increment. I much prefer "Buy it Now". I just hope this Featherweight is as nice as she looks and is described. I got her for $43.00 below my limit, so even though she doesn't come with much, I think I got a fairly good deal.

What a clever idea to use a cooler!

I like the white FW's and just this evening I sat and WATCHED a white FW sell on E-bay for $177.00. The seller listed it as "for parts or repair" but in the description she stated that the machine worked, but was sluggish and that it was probably because the belt was slipping. Cosmetically ... very nice machine.

My finger hovered over the buy button but in the end I decided I didn't want a FW that badly to spend that much (I know it's not a lot for a white FW ... but it was more than I think they are *worth*).

She is beautiful You done goood And you may be able to buy a case for her either on Craigslist or EBay HAPPY SEWING

I think you done good. You can buy a case if you want it. Mine are sitting in the corner of my sewing room collecting dust because I can't bear to put them back in the case. If you wanted it and you are happy with the price it's all good. I bought mine buy it now because I didn't have luck either. They sit and pounce on them when they are about to expire. Yay for you!

Yikes, I'd say you did very well! A lot of those machines go for $300 and up. So what it doesnt have the case or attach. Attachments are easy to find and as others have said, there are other ways to store/travel with it. I looked at that Seles other items and holy moley were they high priced!

Yikes, I'd say you did very well! A lot of those machines go for $300 and up. So what it doesnt have the case or attach. Attachments are easy to find and as others have said, there are other ways to store/travel with it. I looked at that Sellers other items and holy moley were they high priced!

It looks to me like you got a very nice machine and all the things you need to add to it can be obtained or as in the case you can modify another type of bag/case to work for you. The machine looks very nice and I know you will enjoy this little jewel very much!! You are brilliant. :>)

You can get many parts for her at sewclassic.com I shop there for my vintage and FW parts/bobbins all the time. Great service from Jennie.

I just had a good laugh when I saw your heading...Idjit is how my Irish grandmother would say idiot.....when someone did something silly she would say "is it an idjit you are now?" with that rising inflection that posed it as a question no matter what she was saying...

Mine Too!! Grandma Cochrane always used that as a lighthearted version of "Idiot!" which was reserved for idjits who made her angry.

Congratulations on your purchase, if you are happy with it then the price is right.If you look on the internet you will be able to download a manual, and yes for free,happy stitching, Letty

Too funny, as I was on e-bay all last week looking for a featherweight - I'm guessing we may have bid on the same machines....... and lost! LOL!! Actually found one local but the auction ended w/o a single bid... so I contacted the individual who had just re-posted... asked if I won if I could save shipping and just pick it up (like you my limit was $250 so I was trying to gain a little wiggle room) .... he asked me to make an offer so I did - he wanted $300..... so back to searching I went. Won another for $200..... figured I'd follow the action on the local machine - sold for $220, oh well! Now just waiting for mine to arrive from TX, like you I hope it is as nice as advertised!

She looks beautiful to me..I especially like his 9 point checklist that he puts his machines through. Look at it this way, if you don't like it, you can always re-sell it and get your money out of it.

That said, I bet you'll be happy with it. You'll have to let us know what you think. Are you going to buy the 1/4" quilting foot?

Actually the 9 point checklist was a deciding factor in purchasing it. I have two snap on 1/4" quilting feet and can get an adaptor for them so I can use them on Bess - my 15-91 - and on this Featherweight.

Well, she arrived and is in almost perfect shape. I had forgotten how tiny Featherweights are! The Celtic knot decals are are perfect shape and she shines like new. She runs very quietly and smoothly. I've decided to name her Barb after my mother who's birthday is May 14, 1928, just 20 years before the certificate was issued. My birthday is in September 1948, so I guess I can call her my big sister! The photo absolutely does not do her justice as the flash wiped out the decals.

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Oh, my WORD! She's adorable! You made a great decision. :thumbup: