Saw a Featherweight in use in person for the first time today...
 

Today I had reason to head to the local craft creative re-use store that recently opened. I will have to go back with a list for fabric to make quilts with.

While I was there, there was a sewing class going on. One of the class attendees was sewing away on what I realized was a Featherweight!! I'd never seen one 'in the wild' before. That little machine was merrily stitching away, quiet as can be.

I can see (now) why these little machines have such a following. They are simply adorable. and useful. If I didn't already have a 99K, and a 31-15 (and a couple of others) I would be inclined to try and snag one somehow.

That is all.

The Featherweight machine is so portable and lightweight compared to your other ones. You probably need one!

While my Singer 99 is being rewired, my eyes have been checking my area's Craiglist for a nice Featherweight. I do have my Elan 500 electronic that I'm using while waiting for my sweet 99, so no big hurry at the moment.

I saw a Featherweight listed in an estate sale ad, but it was too far away from where I live. I didn't see what it was going for since the price wasn't posted, but I've seen them listed in the Facebook Marketplace in my area anywhere from $400 to $800. The price people want for them is above what I want to pay and I really don't need anymore machines. A Featherweight would sort of complete my Singer collection, though.

Shari

I agree, Shari. The prices for FW's is way high right now. I found 2 at estate sale for under $100. Most run $250 and up at estate sales, but you can find the bargains if you are willing to take one in non-working order. They are such simple machines, they aren't that hard to fix yourself.

I have one and I don't sew on it much. I'm too use to the features on my newer machine. Thread cutter, speed control needle up/down. I always take the FW as backup machine to classes or retreats. I took a FW maint class from Nova Montgomery. One thing to know is Singer brand needles are not like they use to be at all. Schmetz universal needles are the exact length size needed for a FW and probably most other vintage Singers.

I use Schmetz needles on all my vintage machines. They work great.

I love my FW, but then I love vintage machines and I'm not that worried about having all the little features. I can still cut thread and move the hand wheel for needle up or down so I'm good. I'm always impressed with the power in these little machines. They can stitch thru more than I would have thought!

I'm one of the few who didn't love mine.

I bought it specifically for use at classes/retreats/sewing days, as they are so portable. Compact and lightweight, unlike my Bernina 153QE - which is over 20 years old.

It had been cleaned and checked at the local shop, but I ended up change the oil pad in the bottom of the machine; that took care of the notorious odor they have and was an easy process.

The stitch was nice, but not as nice as that of my Bernina, and it is really, really tiny. I was piecing, not quilting, so didn't need the extra throat space, but even for piecing, it was just too small for my taste. Maybe an 8" or so work space? After having it for several years, but never using it again, I sold it a few months ago.

You can adjust your stitch length from tiny to a basting stitch.

At the last retreat there were 11 Featherweight users. I have the 'white' one. It is smaller than the black FW. Lots of comparisons of the FW at retreat. It is the only machine my daughter wants of mine. The other machines she says she can buy if she wants one so don't save them on her account but my FW will definitely be hers.

Don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I may be getting one for the cost of shipping! A friend has one she wants to give me. But she will need someone to help her get it to the post office, she doesn't drive. She is about 1000 miles away.

I love my little FW for traveling. It gets used occasionally at home but mostly on the road. When I got my first one it was on ShopGoodwill.com and Ebay. There were a few of them. I put a bit on several since it seemed I was getting out bid constantly. (And since it was my first time one those websites I had no idea what I was doing.). I ended up getting 3 of them - only one needed a new foot pedal. The other 2 were in good working order and all were between $180 - $300.00. I tried rotating using them, because they do better if they are used on a regular basis. So I ended up giving one to my sister and one to my niece. My sister takes classes and goes to a quilt gathering weekly. My niece has 2 kids and clothes need mending and her daughter wants to learn to sew for herself. I was lucky they each had their books and their attachments and their case.

I love mine for piecing. Because the feed dogs are not as wide as modern machines, it is easier to keep a consistent quarter inch seam. I have been gifted 2 of them. One by a friend because she'd had it for several years and didn't use it. She gave it to me, so I made her a quilt. The second came from a relative in exchange for me longarming a vintage quilt made by her grandmother. I gave the second to my daughter.

My comment was poorly written.

It wasn't the stitch length that was really tiny, it's the machine itself. Which, of course, makes it easy to transport - but doesn't give much room for maneuvering fabric. The bed is extremely small.

Oh, I only piece on my FWs. I bought them to take to quilting bees and classes. I don't do anything large on them except sewing on bindings and sewing blocks together. I have made 12 1/2 inch blocks on them with no problem. I don't do the large portions of my projects at bees anyway.

Featherweights
 

I bought a featherweight a few years ago, and haven used it much except for classes and group sessions. A friend helped me to find a walking foot for it, which was great.
But recently I have started teaching myself free motion quilting, and after a bit of searching, found a way to do it on this machine. Very exciting as I’m planning a weeks holiday with a quilting friend, and we have a project in mind. I’ve just taken it in to be serviced ready.