Singer Featherweights ~ what's the big deal???
 

I'm a novice quilter. I've heard that quilters like featherweights. I'm being offered a Singer featherweight. I checked online and see that prices vary drastically from $39 to over $1,000.00. What is the quality of this machine aside from its brand? Can anyone tell my what's the big deal with this little machine? I appreciate your feedback in advance. Thank you.

They are wonderul little machines, and they are so darn cute!!!

Light weight, sews beautifully, easy to work on, cute as a new puppy, etc.

It will give you a lifetime of beautiful straight stitches for very little cost, depending on what you pay for the machine. Even if you pay $300, which is the high end of what you can reasonably find a great condition one for, you won't have annual maintenance costs or spendy repairs to make. It doesn't take much to learn to service them yourself, parts are plentiful and inexpensive, and it won't go belly up on you like a modern machine. Plus it's portable. I paid $225 for one from Craigslist a couple weeks ago. Its in really great shape. Finish is still lovely, all attachments, in good working order with a near perfect case. I'm 28 so I figure we have 40 or 50 years left to sew together. I'm sure the computerized machine I just bought won't last even half of that, and it will require servicing that I can't do myself.

They are perfect to take to classes and sew-ins due to their low weight. They sew a beautiful stitch. They are reliable and easy to maintain. They give you a link to the past and all of the wonderful seamstresses and quilters from the past.
However, if you are looking for stitches other than straight stitch or want to do free motion or are dependent on electronic features, you won't find satisfaction with a Featherweight.
Dayle

Love my little FW. I even scored a table for her and now we are in quilting heavan. LOL
You said you are being 'offered' one? Are they selling or just going to give it to you? If giving...TAKE!!!

If this means they're giving it to you TAKE IT! Once you sew with her you'll see what it's all about. And if you don't fall in love I'm sure you'll find someone who'll be willing to take her off your hands. :)

They are cute, sew beautiful stitches, take up very little space, light weight, easy to fix yourself, great for piece work, easy to transport to classes, quiet machine compared to the plastic junk of today, great for quilting as you go or mini quilts...just dang cute...and can be used at mechanical art work on bookshelf when not in use!

When it comes to the prices; it's the fad of the yuppies who have more money than brains.

When it comes to the sewing; it's everything the posters above said. I especially like the simplicity of the machine and the fact that it's QUIET and has a quality sound totally unlike the new plastic junque.
We paid about $285.00 for ours and consider it worth it. Not sure we would have gone much higher though.

Joe

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. I already own 6 Singer machines and 1 Royal. My hubby said; "no more machines." But the "portability" of the FW could come in handy. Thank you so much for your prompt replies everyone. O.k. got to go pick up my FW before someone changes her mind! Bye! :D

Hi Labradorsmom,

I am so glad you responded to the wonderful FW revues and are gong to pick her up today. Let us know how you like her. Was she free or did you have to pay for her and how much if you don't mind my asking? It's not really being nosy, we just like to know when someone gets a good deal.

I Love the Featherweights! I initially intended to buy 1. Well, Five Featherweights later, I will tell you I am finished buying them.....UNLESS I find another one at a good price!!! I sew on all five of mine by alternately taking each one with me to workshops and retreats. I have had all kinds of problems with my Janomes, but never a problem with my Featherweights. It's the cutest thing I've ever had. I've also used them to teach kiddos to sew and they LOVE using them because they're small and less intimidating.

I have several tol machines but I fell in love instantly with the Singer fetherweight - in the past 2 months hubby has bought me 4 of them (from ebay) plus the Singer Pinker, and the hand crank Wilcox & Gibbs (no bobbin and does beautiful stitches that look like embroidery on the back of the fabric - who would have thought?).

He has paid anywhere from $400 to $1350 for them. All came with cases, and one with a wooden case that he has been restoring for me. What can I say, he gets on a roll at times, and like my mother says - let him go as long as he can afford it. We don't take vacations and it's just the 2 of us now so we enjoy our hobbies and our home, and I am retired. My mom even got one since I got mine.

The featherweight sews a perfect stitch for me.

I just got done doing 2 jelly rolls of 42 strips each (together) and just put that cute little machine on my kitchen table and sewed away. It even has the fabric/seam guide so it was great.

My kitchen is sunny so sometimes I just want to stay in there and my other machines are a pain to move (heavy and big). It was heaven to just sew in there.

After using this the first time I decided that it was the one that would go to any classes with me for quilting (straignt seams).

It's a wonderful machine.

KarenSue

I don't know, never had one!

I like KarenSue's explanation. So so very true. Except we've only got one and haven't used it much yet.

Joe

I agree with you, Joe. The prices are supported at an artificially high level by dealers. Sort of like DeBeers and their diamond cartel. It's good news for them. They are cute though. I have enjoyed cleaning and polishing it. It sews alright and is light to carry to sit and sews. That's about it.

I have two and looking for a third...I call them my babies nice to sew with and not heavy to take to quilting classes or any where else.

I've wondered the same thing. I inherited one from my mother-in-law and have yet to use it for quilting. I have tried it out and it does sew very neat, smooth stitches. I will be interested to see responses.

They are cute, small, sew a nice straight stitch and are a kind of status symbol must have. I have several and lately piece a majority of my quilts on a white one. It took me about 10 years to start using mine. DH has always been in love with them and has sewn on them from the begining. We aquired the first one of a garage sale. He was the one that actually bough that one for $100.

When I discovered that my Mom's "old" Singer that was stuck away in the back of a closet was a Featherweight in near perfect condition (with attachments), you could have heard my screams of delight for miles! It's a wonderful machine to sew with but I also feel my Mom's hand on my shoulder every time I use it.

I've managed to obtain a free motion set up for it (with a cover for the feed dogs) and also a generic walking foot that fits it but I mainly use it for piecing and for paper piecing since I can set it up anywhere so easily.

I could not agree more. When I saw several ladies at quilt camp use them and saw what an awesome little machine they were I had to have one. Well since then I have bought two and would not part with them. The ones I bought have all the original attachments and instruction manual. Both are from 1950 and one has a centennial stamp . I am so happy with the machines and I'm very happy to have found them the same week.
Lovely stitch, light weight, no hassle, a great piece of history and works every time machine. I have also learned to lubricate and oil my machines myself.

Why would I possibly need more than 1 Featherweight?

Donna,

Perhaps after looking at the big picture, (this forum and my house full of other machines ) I could have said: "What's need got to do with it?".

I don't "need" 5 Singer 66s. Or 4 treadle machines. Or 3 or 4 Japanese ZZ machines with multiple cams and built in stitches. Or a half dozen miscellaneous Singers. But I saw 'em and wanted them and got 'em.

I don't mean to be two faced, but I've been thinking since I answered your PM this morning ( I woke up a bit ) and it really just comes down to wanting the machines and having the ability to pay for them.

I do agree though that the prices are all out of proportion to what your getting.

Joe

It is AWESOME!!!! It is like the old cars before all the electronics. They just keep on keeping on. Great for straight stitching. Worth every penny.