Singer featherweight
 

How do you answer the question, "what's so great about a Singer featherweight?"

I've always wanted one, and now I have a lead on one that's reasonably priced and in great condition. But when my daughter asked that question, I hardly knew what to say.

Thx much!

S.

They're lightweight, sew straight, easy to self-service on the rare occasions they need something fixed, and they belonged to an incredible generation of women. By sewing on mine, I pray to walk in their footsteps!

It has the best straight stitch ever - they are small- portable- great work horses and last but not least they are "cute" :)

Don't tell her that we name our FWs. She will really think you are out of your mind!

Or celebrate their birthdays!

And they are super quiet!

I love my Featherweight. In fact I have two. One I use all the time and one that is put up and is in pristine condition. I have several machines, but my Featherweight is my favorite.

Just tell her that they are" money in the bank", nobody can find fault with that.

Why doesn't "just because I want it "work? :>)

I totally agree with Sharon and you won't be disappointed if your purchase one. Even if you don't use it, they are the cutest little things to just look at.

I have FIVE!! I love the fact that they're small and easy to transport. They are workhorses and just last forever if taken care of. It sews a great straight stitch, there are many attachments that will allow you to do special things with it, they're cute and I think they're a good investment, just like any other antique. They decorate your sewing room when not in use and they just plain old make us SMILE!!

If I wanted to buy a featherweight, where would be the best place place to look? Our thrift stores around here very seldom have sewing machines. I want one but am afraid to trust ebay, etc.

I got one on ebay. After the trauma of trying to get the seller to send her to me and having to get payPal and ebay involved, she works great.

Got another one at a consignment store in town. Just found out I need to clean out some great from her gears and add oil instead.

So I guess my point is, you just have to take a chance.

They are lightweight so easy to take to classes and they sew a beautiful straight stitch. You will love it.

I have bought 2 on e-bay and have never had a problem. Check the sellers rating is my only suggestion. My machines arrived within a few days of the closing, packed perfectly and looked and worked as described on the e-bay site. Both sellers had high ratings.

We haven't used the one we got on ebay yet but I will say that the shipping was quick, it was very well packed and arrived looking better than the description and pictures had led us to believe. It was also less expensive than any I've seen on Craigslist locally.

I will say that the seller appeared to specialize in sewing machines which might explain the excellent packing job. If either the 128 or White had been as well packed (to keep from moving inside their cases) I'd have been much happier.

They are very sturdy! So, you can pack them up and take to a workshop or a retreat and don't have to worry that it will get out of wack by moving it around. They are not as expensive as a lot of the sewing machines make today, and are a lot more durable. You can easily get parts when you need them to fix the few items that are made to wear and be replaced. They are cute and come in such a cute case that holds everything you need! They (the older ones) come in black just like the Model A's that Henry Ford said 'that you could have any color you wanted as long as it was black'. Of course, there are pale turquoise and tan ones that were made later. They have LOTS of accessories that do a variety of specialty stitching (hem, pleat, etc). There are also zipzag attachments with cams and blind stitch attachment. So no matter what you have there are still other items that were made to go with them. I liked them so much that I built a business around them! www.thequiltgal.com

A few of our quilt board members have featherweights and on more than one occasion they have had tension problems and all they do is straight stitch. I just purchased a jonome jem it is also light weight and also stitches great even can do zig jag and button holes it has 3 straight stiches I think it will be just great to take to the guilds for sewing. I did consider featherweights but the price was far out for me.

Featherweights are fun and a good value if priced reasonably, but just as importantly, sewing on a Featherweight puts me in touch with the women who have gone before me. I love that feeling.

Did I mention that the oil smell reminds me of my dad (he was a farmer), and it doesn't get any better than that!?!

Dayle

any one got one fore sale ? suzieQ

Thanks, all! Now if I can get the guy to call me so I can buy her!

i just bought one this week on Craigslist and i'm thrilled! i hope you can get the one you're looking at. you'll have to post a pic!

I don't think that any one said how they sound when they sew. They have the cutest little sound when sewing. It is a quiet little sound. They are cute, fun to sew with, and remind me of a toy sewing machine but they are a lot stronger and better than one. They can go through several layers of fabric at once, but I wouldn't want to do that all the time. I would have loved to have one to sew on when I was young. By the way, I have 2 black ones, one of which I bought from a QB member, and also a barely celery (white) one. I wouldn't trade any of them for anything.
Any one who'd looking for one, have you checked with a local sewing machine repair man for one? That's where my first one came from. It might be a little more than getting one off e-bay, but you don't pay shipping and also it is cleaned and oiled for you. And you can try it out before buying it.

Anyone know where to look in the Ohio area or might know of one for sale. I would rather see before I buy so ruling out Ebay at this time.

Keep checking on Craigslist. The prices are about the same as that you would pay on eBay but you wouldn't have to pay shipping and you also wouldn't have to worry about it getting broken while it's on it's way to you. Both FW's that I purchased from eBay had a broken piece when I opened the box (bobbin winder on 1st FW and the spool pin on the 2nd FW).

Hubby found mine at an antique mall, one of those places that have lots of vendors. You might try one near you.

Just ran across one in an antique store on Mt. Desert ME, the guy was asking 450.00....I guess he was waiting for someone with unlimited income....Its folks like that that drive up the prices.

I bought my first FW at an auction. They let me try it out before it came up for bid and I love it. The 2nd one I got was at an estate sale.... and I got the cabinet with that one. It's newer, 1953 I think, and I use it all the time at my summer cabin. The most recent one I got from Craig's list. So, you just have to look in all kinds of places. They are out there and, YES, they are worth every penny you spend for them. I love the 'click-click-click' sound they make as they sew and you can't find a better stitch. I thought that a FW was too light to machine quilt with but not so. I just finished a quilt for my great niece and it was a better stitch than my expensive Viking with that $100+ walking foot.

You can take your FW any place you can sew. If you FW tips over on its side (you don't have to replace your motherboard), you can still sew. They are little work horses. You can sew on almost any thing. You are able to take care of it yourself (un-like the new machines that have to go to the machine doctors). Our FW's value only goes UP. They are EASY to use (un-like some of the new machines that take a LOT of direction and classes to get the hang of). They take us back to a MUCH SIMPLER TIME.

Thanks for the ideas on where to find a FW, I so want one but don't want to be taken and pay more than I should. I checked out garage sales today and an estate sale also with no luck, but I am just starting on my quest. I love reading about everyone's machines.

They don't sound like they are gonna fall apart, no plastic parts, they are adorable,sew a perfect straight stitch,weigh a mere 11 pounds. I have 4 of them.

Cuz they're sooo cute! I actually smile when I look at mine. :) And besides that, they sew great and are quiet. I use it for piecing. I may get a second one if the opportunity comes along, though I know I shouldn't because my sewing room is small and I don't need two!

Ditto......Ditto.......Ditto.... Have two and love them both:)

I found mine on Craigs List ....One in NC and the other in TN......

Everything about them is wonderful! .......except one thing, they are addictive!!! I just purchased my 5th one yesterday! :) So beware! They are not only pretty little ladies but, they have the nicest stitch, they're portable, reliable, and the sound they make when you are sewing is almost soothing. When I look at all of my girls I love to think about all of the history each one has seen, where it's been, and who has owned it. I get most of mine from auctions so alot of times they still have some of the previous owners personal sewing supplies still in their cases.

Now I need to find a name for #5!.......any ideas? :)

My DH surprised me with one - he went to the local sewing machine/vacuum cleaner repair shop and asked if they had one or knew of anybody that had one for sale. He knew of a lady wanting to find a good home for her mother's machine - so DH bought it for me - sight unseen. We went to the shop and plugged it in - it was already threaded and thread in the bobbin. It just purred like a kitten and went right to work on the little piece of fabric under the presser foot - backwards and forwards. My DH said he was tired of me "looking for one". So, now, I am looking at one in my room!!!! I know that he paid more for it than I would have paid - but I have one now and don't have to keep looking. However, if I were to find another one at a really good price, I do believe that it will be mine too.

They are perfect to take to classes and retreats. My "big" machine is electronic and lets me know it resents being lugged around. My featherweight is thrilled to get a road trip.

"Sewing machine guy", my little name for the anonymous guy on Craig's list, finally called me. Hubby and i met him in the parking lot of a shopping center this evening. We left with a lovely little machine. It's a 1952 model 221. Brought it home, and it sews right out of the box. Needs a little cleaning, etc, but condition is quite good. I'm so excited!

Now, what to name him???

CONGRATULATIONS! I, too, am looking for another (as a gift for my cousin). I have one my son picked up at Good Will Store locally! It is white, and is in absolutely pristine condition. She still has the inspection label from the factory on it and he got it for $50.00. Of course, there was no case, and no attachments, but those can be purchased later. For what I intend to use it for (piecing quilts) I don't think I'll need a lot of attachments. I don't really know how many machines we have -- I still have my 328-K that my husband gifted me with the first Christmas we were married, I have a couple of Singer Golden Touch 'N Sew, I have my mother's Singer 1425, I have my featherweight and I think there are one or two in the garage (I don't know what models they are). I am out of room for any more, but my cousin has been looking for a Featherweight for years! I have sort of made it my mission to find her one! Enjoy your machine!

Jeanette Frantz

The ? should BE "Whats not Great About A FW!" lol
The 'List' of "Great" is WAY too LONG! BUT
The 'List of "Bad" is Well What List!