Love your featherweight?
01-26-2011, 09:52 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Fort Jones, California
Posts: 40
Several times on this board I have read people talking about buying a featherweight and how excited they were. I have an opportunity to have one given to me. Please tell me why you like your featherweight and why they are so popular. Thanks!
01-27-2011, 01:31 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,384
I use mine almost exclusively for piecing. TAKE IT! ;)
First of all they are antiques, they don't make them anymore, so you'll own a little bit of history.
Second they can be EXPENSIVE! I have heard stories of them going for $20 at a yard sale or being passed down in families...but people know what they are so those good bargains are far and few between anymore. I got a bug up my butt and had to have one a few years ago and ended up paying over $300. On the upside it was refurbished and from a sewing center so at least I knew it was in good working order. But they are solid machines and really last forever. Many of the electrical parts that go bad are still replaceable and you can find just about anything on Ebay.
Third, they are portable. This is why they were such a hot item in the 30's, 40's, and 50's when they came out! I take mine camping and to guild meetings. It's a FEATHER weight! ;)
Fourth, they are outstandingly reliable. Featherweights are simple machines, unless really abused they really hold up for a long time.
Fifth, they piece like a dream. I love them because there is just a little hole where the needle goes in and out, other than an open exposed feed like on my other sewing machines. On my newer machines my fabric is always getting sucked down into that exposed area, but you don't have that issue with the featherweight.
Sixth...it's just really cute and fun to sew on. You can show off to all your friends when you get it! ;)
Did I mention you should TAKE IT! ;)
First of all they are antiques, they don't make them anymore, so you'll own a little bit of history.
Second they can be EXPENSIVE! I have heard stories of them going for $20 at a yard sale or being passed down in families...but people know what they are so those good bargains are far and few between anymore. I got a bug up my butt and had to have one a few years ago and ended up paying over $300. On the upside it was refurbished and from a sewing center so at least I knew it was in good working order. But they are solid machines and really last forever. Many of the electrical parts that go bad are still replaceable and you can find just about anything on Ebay.
Third, they are portable. This is why they were such a hot item in the 30's, 40's, and 50's when they came out! I take mine camping and to guild meetings. It's a FEATHER weight! ;)
Fourth, they are outstandingly reliable. Featherweights are simple machines, unless really abused they really hold up for a long time.
Fifth, they piece like a dream. I love them because there is just a little hole where the needle goes in and out, other than an open exposed feed like on my other sewing machines. On my newer machines my fabric is always getting sucked down into that exposed area, but you don't have that issue with the featherweight.
Sixth...it's just really cute and fun to sew on. You can show off to all your friends when you get it! ;)
Did I mention you should TAKE IT! ;)
01-27-2011, 02:34 AM
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ireland
Posts: 12,281
Try weighing your current machine - FW's weigh less than 11 pounds.
They are also fast becoming a status symbol - but the cuteness and ease of maintanance really did it for me. I now have two - don't pass up this fantastic offer.
They are also fast becoming a status symbol - but the cuteness and ease of maintanance really did it for me. I now have two - don't pass up this fantastic offer.
01-27-2011, 03:00 AM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: martinsville Indiana
Posts: 4,461
Lightweight, I had never seen one until right before christmas. While shopping at a local sewing machine dealer a lady opens the door, she struggling to get through the door, the sales lady runs over and helps by taking he heavy box. She lugs it up on the counter and takes out this cute little sewing machine. Looks at me and says I dont know why they call these things featherweights. We played with the machine and talked about featherweight rage, and how the only good thing about them was the stitch and relability. I dont have one, would love one, but not for carrying to class, or the next room for that matter. Others here say they are lightweight?
01-27-2011, 03:59 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,384
Originally Posted by leatheflea
Lightweight, I had never seen one until right before christmas. While shopping at a local sewing machine dealer a lady opens the door, she struggling to get through the door, the sales lady runs over and helps by taking he heavy box. She lugs it up on the counter and takes out this cute little sewing machine. Looks at me and says I dont know why they call these things featherweights. We played with the machine and talked about featherweight rage, and how the only good thing about them was the stitch and relability. I dont have one, would love one, but not for carrying to class, or the next room for that matter. Others here say they are lightweight?
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