Nevermind - - found it. Duh!!!!! I just needed my glasses!!!!

My dear ladies and gents,

I have spent about an hour on the internet searching for the answer to my question as to where in the world is the serial number located on my Singer Featherweight. My other old Singer had it prominently displayed on a brass plate on the left side of the bed of the machine. I can't seem to find it anywhere and I'd like to date the machine and see if I can find an instruction book for it.

The only information I can read is on the motor which says that it's cat. 3-120 with the voltage and such and that it's from Elizabethport, NJ.

If anyone can help me answer this question I KNOW it's here on this forum.

Thanks for the help.

Nevermind - found it!!!! DUH!!!!

Well now we want to hear more about this machine :wink:

OK - - here's the whole story.

Late last night (I'm an insomniac) I got to thinking about what my husband describes (in his words) "my little s**t sewing machine that my (his) mother gave me" which was sitting in the attic in a pretty beat up case.

I had actually never seen the machine but thought about what the case looked like and a lightbulb went off!! "Holy mackerel - I'll just bet it's a FW - - thars gold in them thar rafters". So this morning when he woke up I got him to go in the attic and bring it down.

So................. we opened up the little puppy to discover a shiney little baby. Yup - A FEATHERWEIGHT!!!!! Plugged her in and she sounds like she was born yesterday. After finding the serial number, I discovered that she was born in 1948 and the plate on the motor says it was in Elizabethport, NJ.

It is apparent that the machine was used quite a bit, but taken care of. I had problems with the bobbin, but adjusted the tension screw which helped but it's still skipping stitches like crazy. As soon as I get an extra minute I'll change the needle in case it's something simple like that.

I should have been doing data entry all morning for work so I need to put aside my excitement for a bit.

I'll let you all know when I resolve the skipped stitches problem. AND post a photo.

Wow, what an attic find. And, just how long has this little FW been smoldering in your attic? Shame!

Well, let's see........ we are married for 13 years and I doubt my husband used it for a good 10 years before that. Who knows how much longer.

Right now he's trying to get it to stitch. He changed the needle and that was not the problem. Gotta look on the internet for a solution. I'm really really jazzed about this and hope that we can get the issues resolved like, NOW!!!!!!!

Karen, The needle goes in flat side left. The needle threads from right to left. When the bobbin is in the case, before inserting in the machine take a good look at the bobbin, pull thread gently and bobbin should turn counterclockwise. It takes a
15 X 1 needle. Those are some of the most important things to check first. Good luck. If you have a manual read it cover to cover, it is all in there. They are an easy fixer. Have fun ask questions if you need. You are going to love it we all do. Ruth

Be sure to oil it well before using. If it's been sitting for a long time, you really want to oil all moving parts before running it much -- to prevent wear and tear. Use only sewing machine oil -- it's a much finer grade of oil than other types.

Also, check the bobbin area. There's a notch that needs to be positioned correctly under the stitch plate -- I think as part of the bobbin race assembly. (Sorry, it's been such a long time I've forgotten the details. Someone else here will know, tho.)

OK - my DH put in a new needle, but he put it in with the flat to the right. WRONG!!! Put it in the correct way - - - to the left and now all is well.

I don't want to really use it at all until it's all cleaned and oiled properly. Don't want to do any damage.

Thanks for you help.

Remember to take the small plate off the top and clean in there too. Everything on a FW points left: the needle flat and the threaded thread end. The motor will need motor lube (thick grease) not oil. Oil it and it's a goner.