Why Featherweights?
#23
Originally Posted by dakotamaid
Originally Posted by dmackey
I would love to buy a Featherweight. What should I look for? I know many times they will advertise them as antique singer sewing machine, so how can I be sure it is a Featherweight? Does it say that anywhere on the machine? Is there a specific set of numbers or letters for the model that would tell me it is a featherweight? I see two different model numbers sometimes: 221 and 222. Does anyone know the difference?
Can I use something like a walking foot or other feet on a Featherweight? I love the stitch it makes and would really like to try quilting pieces using it.
Diane
Can I use something like a walking foot or other feet on a Featherweight? I love the stitch it makes and would really like to try quilting pieces using it.
Diane
I found I can use all the attachments from my Mom's regular-size Singer that she got during WWII. Ruffler, button-holer, feet that I can't even begin to describe their purpose :-)
TIP: I got my Featherweight off eBay at a bargain - $125. I simply figured out various misspellings of "Featherweight" and set those up as an auto-search. The person I got mine from (perfect condition, all the gold still intact, the case like new) spelled it "Featherwait". This proves that spelling really DOES count!
#24
I have two, one black and one white. The quilt before last I set on machine to do a scant 1/4" and the other for a 1/4". I use a strip of mole skin to set my distance. After making the entire quilt I remember I had a 1/4" foot. Just finished another quilt with the black one. They are a joy to sew on. (I just bought a Janome 6600 and still used the FW to piece with) They are so easy to clean and oil. No fancy stuff to get in the way. DH found the white one at a garage sale, paid $75 bc they thought it was a kids machine. Paid $425 for the black one several years ago at a flea market. It was in pristine condition, made between 1935 -38.
#25
I spoke to the guy who fixes machines at my local quilt shop today about Featherweights and he gave me quite a bit of insight into what to look for and how expensive the parts are for repair, so he said to pay only for a machine in great working condition, because repairs and parts can get very costly. He actually owns several that he purchased that needed repair, and he has not considered selling them, but wants to hang on to them. He said they never die, they just get misused by people.
One thing he was very adamant about was to find out where and how the machine was stored. He said a damp storage area can damage parts that you can't see.
Guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for a good deal.
Diane
One thing he was very adamant about was to find out where and how the machine was stored. He said a damp storage area can damage parts that you can't see.
Guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for a good deal.
Diane
#26
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central PA
Posts: 5,573
Originally Posted by dakotamaid
Originally Posted by dmackey
I would love to buy a Featherweight. What should I look for? I know many times they will advertise them as antique singer sewing machine, so how can I be sure it is a Featherweight? Does it say that anywhere on the machine? Is there a specific set of numbers or letters for the model that would tell me it is a featherweight? I see two different model numbers sometimes: 221 and 222. Does anyone know the difference?
Can I use something like a walking foot or other feet on a Featherweight? I love the stitch it makes and would really like to try quilting pieces using it.
Diane
Can I use something like a walking foot or other feet on a Featherweight? I love the stitch it makes and would really like to try quilting pieces using it.
Diane
#27
An excellent resource for Featherweight's is Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable and Its Stitches Across History By Nancy Johnson-Srebro and I also found a wonderful person in Florida. His name is Glenn Williams # is 813-988-1970. Email is [email protected]. Like I said he is wonderful. Please tell him Cindy from Oregon recommended him. He helped me replace a light on my white Featherweight and hardly charged me anything for the part and of course nothing for all his expertise knowledge that was shared!
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 107
Ditto all the above comments. I also love how the motor just purrs - you can hear the quality! I have my dear mother in law's FW that she bought brand new in the 30's or early 40's I dated it but the info fell out of my brain. Also have three other ancient Singers that I love equally as well - perfect stitches and the motors sing a soothing song.
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