My Estate Sale Find
 

I've been wanting a white featherweight, but I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on one. I'm signed up for EstateSales.net and I have been casually watching for things I want. It seems like so many of the sales that look like they have good things are too far away or in parts of the city I hate to go to.

This week I got an email from them about a sale that was only a few miles from my house. The pictures weren't very good but I could identify a white featherweight. The pic wasn't good enough to tell what kind of condition it was in. Since the sale as so close to my house, I decided to go ahead and go.

This is what I came home with:
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Its just the cutest little machine. I love it! When I checked it out at the sale, I couldn't get the hand wheel to turn and the needle was stuck in needle down thru a piece of cloth, but the motor moved the belt. It was in such good condition and so clean that I decided to take a chance that I could get it moving so I bought it. I ended up paying $50 for it so I figured if I had to have someone work on it for me, it was okay. With the prices I've seen for working ones, I could afford to put some money in this one and get it working. (Much to the chagrin of a guy who got there right after I did and wanted it, too. ) It had this piece of fabric under the foot so had apparently been working when it was put away
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It's all there and has the case which is a bit dirty but not in bad condition
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And it has this lovely orange belt (which is going to have to go)
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I brought it home and thanks to the vintage machine gurus here I tried cleaning it (which it really didn't need) and giving it a good oiling. I oiled it well and went to the office. When I came home for lunch, the handwheel still wasn't moving so I oiled it again and left it while I went back to work. When I came home from work I tried it again and wheel began to move! I was so excited! I moved it and oiled it some more. It started to move much more freely. After a little while, I tried the foot control and the little motor can move the shaft. The needle is now moving up and down freely. Tomorrow I'm going to try to see if it sews. Wish me luck!

Great find!
I sure hope when my estate someday comes, someone as excited as you gets my machines!
Way to go.

So happy for you!

I am wishing you luck on your sewing machine adventure. I have never seen a white featherweight. I will stay tuned to see if you get it to sew soon.

Cute machine and awesome bargain!

Bingo! What a find. I'll bet there is just a wad of lint and thread caught somewhere and it will free up once that is removed. You did well.

I have it’s twin also from an Estate this Summer. I knew the owner and knew it would be in perfect condition. The price was considerably more ($250) but I’m happy for it. According to the sales receipt in the case, it cost $100 new. Congratulations!

Wow...you are so lucky to have gotten there when you did. I've learned to always pick the item up and carry it around with me instead of thinking "I'll get it on my way out". Every time I do that it's gone!!

To me, the funny thing about estate-find FW's is that they generally tend to be found in near pristine condition. I inherited my mother-in-law's black, mid-50's FW. It too was in near pristine condition. Before her passing, she mentioned that she really did not care too much for sewing. She preferred to paint for her creative outlet.

I think she had gotten a FW almost as a required household appliance when she got married - mainly for mending or light-duty sewing. A FW Is all contained in a small box as opposed to being in a dedicated cabinet for full-size machines. Her mother had sewn all of hers and her three sisters' clothes, but my dm-i-l would have none of that as rtw clothing was much more prevalent and affordable than when she was growing up. I suspect many women thought that way as they raised their families in the late 40's until the early 60's. Hence, FW's really are not that rare and usually in very good condition.

John Thomas in NC

Oh, I have, too! I picked it up and carried it around with me. I wouldn't even let the lady running the sale hold it for me! I figured it was the only way to make sure I got it.

Great find, why does the orange belt have to go?

Woohoo! Success! Since it was rainy today and I couldn't go out to the neighborhood garage sale, I made it sewing machine day. I got the Rocketeer out of the Tutto and set it up to see how my new OSMG did. It just purrs! So next up was the new white FW. I set it up used a wound bobbin from my black FW, put in a new needle, threaded it and put fabric under the foot. It just purrs right along and makes a perfect stitch. I'm so happy with it.

The orange belt has to go because it's way too ugly to be on such a cute machine :D

Happy you found your little jewel...I was at a garage sale years ago, the garage was packed...with things, I happened to stump my toe on something, looked down and saw this green case...I knew immediately what it was, I have my mother's black featherweight...I ask the lady if it was for sale, she said yes!! it's $25. needless to say, I didn't waste anytime taking that up and paying for it...it has always sewed like a charm...I get them both down every now and then and oil and clean them up...when my daughter comes to sew with me, she uses the black one...loves it...so congrats on your find...

What a great find & a very pretty machine. It looks brand new.

Wow! I wish I could find a Featherweight for that price. Always wanted one as a B-day gift for myself but found they prices out of my budget.

Just keep looking and have patience. After looking and watching for a couple of years I went on Craigslist one day and got lucky. One had just been posted for $50 about 30 seconds before I saw it. Had to go to a fancy part of Seattle to pick it up but for that price it was worth it. A few years later I found the cabinet for it the same way, at a garage sale posted on CL for $25. Funny thing is, it's not my favorite machine. It's just too small for me to take seriously.:) My 7yr old GD has claimed it and it will go to her when I die if I haven't given it to her before then.

Cari

Thanks for sharing the fun with us. I hope to follow in your footsteps one day.

I agree. Keep looking. I've used EstateSales.net for close to a year now looking for a white one. I think perserversance is the key. My husband bought my black one off of eBay and paid WAY too much. I'm too cheap to do that.

BTW, my husband said tonight "That machine was worth $50 even if it didn't work. I would have just put it on the shelf". Even guys think they are cute! :D

Great find, congrats! I think the orange belt adds a little something!

What a find. I also have one of these white (actually very light turquoise) featherweights. Mine was not that cheap though, but I wanted it so I splurged. Enjoy it?

Oh, I am already. I have it set up on one of my sewing tables. I'm not using it at present, but I just like to look at it.

I was on eBay last night (I know evil eBay :D ) and found a manual for the white Singer. I had already discovered that there were several differences between the white and my older black one. Twelve dollars can make me very happy. :D

Happy for you!

You lucky girl! You'll give it a great home. If it were my machine, I'd name it Pearl.

Patrice, that's the bargain of the year! I'm so happy for you :)

soooo jealous!