Sorry to all of you who do collect the old ones, but I spent money to get all the bells and whistles like needle down, thread cutter, fancy stitching without extra little doodads. Mine stitches just fine and straight, I don't have to adjust the tension or do much of anything to get a great quilt top. And.....I only spent $190!!! (and at Walmart) I will take my brother any day over an old one.

Once I decieded I wanted, make that needed a FW; I settled on looking for one from my birth year. Now DH wants one for his b'day and I will look for one from 1951, Cenntenial model; I have til Nov to find it.

I sewed everything from canvas awnings to fine fabrics with same needle!

I use a 1941 cast iron Singer exclusively, though I have several much newer machines. My Singer never does anything stupid---like randomly break the thread in the middle of the seam by changing its own bobbin tension---and if something does go wrong, I take out the bobbin, reinsert it, completely unthread it and rethread. Problems have always been solved. I also agree with the others....they are workhorses, sentimental value for some and just a great sewing experience every time.

They are also soooooooooooo cute!!

that's right, Lavada.....don't walk...R U N! Git that there machine down and let's see what it is!! Let us know!

I will second that Oakie, the vintage site you mentioned is awesome.

I have an old Home Mark. All metal..no fancy stitches but a work horse. Love the old machines because you can do maintenance yourself. Use mine whenever I do a rag quilt. Can clean up after sewing. Computerized machines can't be cleaned. Have to send off.

a Featherweight is the most desirable if lightweight portability is your major concern. otherwise, there are a lot of models what make great stitches,worry-free, etc. 201,301,401. 15-91,99, 66, etc. there is a lot of info online,too much to state here. Educate yourself & find one for your own. most of these can be had for under $200. avoid eBay, if possible, because of the weight/shipping of
these vintage machines. always good to try before U buy.

I'll see you in ten years with my vintage Singer. bet you won't have your Brother in working order. and I do not mean this
to be rude or mean-spirited. just the facts, Mamm.

You are blessed, & I'm jealous. The old featherweights are in demand by quilters everywhere for their durability, ease of transport, great straight stitch, ...the list goes on. Once you use one, you'll probably see why other quilters treasure their featherweights.

Wish I had one!

My daughter just gave me a FW for Mother's Day - in perfect working order. She also bought herself one - a 222 free arm with all the attachments and had it shipped from England. It looks brand new. It also has the converter so she can use it in US. I named mine Lynn (it's her middle name). I just LOVE HER!!

tappedants, get that FW, you'll thank her over & over for the gift! You will have a little of grandma's experience, at marveling at what the old guys created before computers. Someone's wife undoubtedly said "Can't you make something lighter-weight?".
I love my FW, 301, 401, 403, & 404! If anyone offered me an old Singer I would not hesitate a moment to take it. I use my FW for classes, the 301 for FMQ, the 400 series just set up with different threads & purposes; the 404 is my quick mending machine. At first I thought the tan & cream was ugly, but as time went on I realized it was much easier to see what I was sewing than on the black machines. Just a little less contrast for those with low vision issues...more noticeable now than it used to be;)

"The 403 is exactly like the 401, EXCEPT it doesn't have a built-in cam stack. In order to produce a zigzag or decorative stitch, the machine relies upon an insertable cam. It uses the exact same cams as the 401." The cams are the little sturdy black discs inserted in the top- they are all over ebay. The 404 "is just like the 403, EXCEPT that it is a straight stitch only model. So, you can’t use a twin or double needle. The 404’s were often used in school home education programs because of their sturdy build and ease of use. The 404 is a bit lighter than the other models as well."
Best just to read here if want to know more: http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

Read up on this blog while you still can; you will find it wonderful for any classic machine: FW, 301, 400's & later as well as some treadles, 66, 201 etc.! She still has all the links there for so many manuals you might be missing. She doesn't post as often as she used to; don't know why, but this horrible economy has affected so many people's lives in the last 3 years. How can people continue when losing their homes & everything in it! Sorry for the soapbox, but we are losing so many great "people resources" in this, as well as homes & businesses.

BTW, one thing you classic sewing machine fans might really appreciate is that Jenny will sell you an "electronic foot pedal" to work with your classic machine...this means you can now sew very slowly (or as fast as you like) without the hazard of overheating the foot pedal & get great control at the same time when doing delicate work. Read more about it here: http://shop.sew-classic.com/Foot-Con...M-SCE01EFC.htm Other foot controllers: http://shop.sew-classic.com/Foot-Con...s-Parts_c9.htm
She also has all kinds of parts for vintage machines & everything I've ordered has been 100% accurate & on time. Her site alone can educate you on most classic machines.
All machines she has reviewed with links: http://blog.sew-classic.com/categori...20Reviews.aspx

BTW, I have 3 newer (expensive)machines, but don't find I like them as well, & have had issues going over seams on jeans or any thick seam, even slowly.

Someone mentioned the newer machines were plastic or aluminum...not likely aluminum, it costs dearly now. Many old singers have an aluminum body (can't rust!), that's what helps them to be lightweight (301 & FW). Do realize though that the inner parts are not aluminum and can rust if left sitting outdoors or on the ground. Nothing saying those old aluminum bodies aren't great for repainting though. You could soak them in paint thinner (just the body, no other internal parts), but would probably have to take the lacquer finish off first (the clear coat). I wouldn't do this unless it was in terrible paint condition, but some FW specialty shops sell them repainted in wild colors for $1000.

ok, ok. save one for me please. I'm just staring out and I am so jealous...Any one want pass on their FW I am available as a caregiver. 8-)

Not just starting out, but I am also a good caregiver - esp featherweights!!

Once machines gained the ability to zigzag, they lost the ability to sew a perfectly straight stitch. It usually doesn't make a lot of difference, but it can when accuracy is important.

BTW, the consensus on the vintage machine site is that pre 1975 is vintage. That means all my machines except the Singer serger are vintage. Want to guess which one of six machines is a piece of ?????

I have a featherweight and 2 301's....If you are going to be
taking it to quilt club or sewing group, you might prefer the
featherweight....but don't pass up looking at the 301's...I think
I am leaning more toward the 301....I really like sewing on them and the stitch is just like the featherweight ....sometimes
you can find them cheaper.

There was a time in the nation when people understood the value in something that was simple, straightforward, durable, designed and built to outlive the person who created it.
There was a time in our nation when our citizens believed in thrift, self-reliance, personal accountability for their use of limited resources, diligence, and integrity.
None of those concepts are built into the products (or most of the products) we purchase today.
Today, when you buy a new gadget, there has been a study done to see how many times a dial can be turned before it wears out ... and, it is designed to fail after a certain amount of time ... and our citizens have purchased "throw away" items for generations, now, in the belief that we have moved beyond the need to be "old-fashioned", traditional, so backward as to think that it is possible to own something that is more capable than me in enduring the silliness of owner error ...
that, my dear, is why old black singer sewing machines are sought. Because the seeker has figured out - - durability and simplicity of repair will take a quilter further in this world than all the digital whatchamaycallits the "designers" will ever come up with.
And, maybe it is because the older we get ;-) the more we realize - - basic are NOT a bad word! <wave>

I would buy another old singer before I would buy a new computerized machine today! I have both!

Wow, Omak, I couldn't have said this better if I tried... I too feel a certain connection to a better time in America when I use these lovely old pieces of fine workmanship. It was a time when people had values we so desperately need to get back to, today. That's a part of why I love the old machines. I could care less if they can't thread themselves! That's what I'm for...

I don't have a singer feather weight but have an old singer industrial sewing machine. It is plain jane but I just love how the stitches look. It sews thru heavy denim like butter.

Just look INSIDE or UNDER any of the old machines - they are machined opposed to stamped metal or plastic. Omark you said it well. So much has been lost in this country.

The Singer 404 is a very forgotten machine. It weighs about the same as a 301. It sews about the same. The quality of the machine is the same. They are about the same size. It is MUCH cheaper to buy a Singer 404. I gave one to my grand daughter and one to my great niece to learn on. Watch your local Craig's List - they do come up.

I realize this is an old thread, but can I add my .02?

These last few weeks I've been cleaning and restoring 3+ machines. Got the first two running just this week. I was amazed at how something built in 1918 & 1922 can be purring like a kitten all these years later.

They were built to last and I'm totally sold on them. Singer built quality back then. The stitches are perfect, the machines are user friendly, no fuss no muss.