I have 3 Featherweights. Here are pictures of two of them. The third I just got at an auction and it is in for cleaning/servicing. I just love them to death!!

going to get me one sometime, when I see one that says "take me home" that is how I buy things, when I see it, I know immediately that I love it! Also, have a 301 in mind, everyone says those are just workhorses! I will know it when I see it, nothing like that warm and fussy feeling. Will probably still use my janome's, love the needle down, and all the wonderful things they can do, but love my singer 15 too, while it is a straight stitch, it is a work horse and won't part with her. Yea, as soon as I find one, she is coming home!

I would love a 301 also, plus a 222k and a scrolled featherweight. Slipping them by hubby unnoticed would be an ordeal tho..lol

I have two featherweights. One is black and the other one is white/celery. I have two black 301's. I don't use my featherweights or my 301s very much. The machines that I love to use the most are my Singer 401 and 403. I love those because I can move the needle to the perfect 1/4 allowance.

I learned to sew on Mom's FW and we both used it a lot until I was 15 and Mom traded it in on a new Singer. She wanted me to buy it for the amount she was getting for the trade-in, but I didn't do it because I wanted to use her new machine. I regret that so much.

About 20 years ago, I found a FW in a store in Wooster, OH for $25. I was thrilled to get it. It was in the case with the buttonholer and all the feet. I think it's a 1949, which may be the same as Mom's. (I'll have to look it up again.) I just love it.

If I remember correctly, a few years ago most of the FW's on ebay were selling for $600 to $800. They've dropped in price considerably since then.

I'd love to find another FW and have it painted red or green or pink. I think they're so cute painted like that, but I don't want to ruin the value of mine.

I've also got a Singer 500a Rocketeer, which I also love. Let's see, we also have a Singer 15-91, which was supposed to be in excellent running condition when we bought it on ebay, but it wasn't. I'd really like to get it completely operational. My DH and DS bought a Singer 99K at a sale. It needs some work. I should take it and the 15-91 to Billy. My DH could watch him repair them and then he'd know what to do himself. He pretty much knows now, but hasn't had time to play with them recently. We only paid $25 each for the 15-91 and the 99K and didn't even have to pay shipping for the 15-91 as the seller lived about 20 miles from us, so we picked it up. I'm glad; it's a heavy old thing.

I'd also like to have a 301, although I'm not sure what I'd do with it. I never thought much about a treadle, but after seeing Billy's treadles and others that different members here have found, I'd like to get one.

Of course, I'd also like a new Bernina... :mrgreen:

I bought my FW at an auction this fall and though it looks in perfect condition, I have not actually tried it yet. After the first of the year! Mine was built in 1946 and I paid $200.00.

I want one so bad but can't find one in real good shape and what my wallet can handle. SIGH~~~ one day.
BillsBonBon

I called Sears and gave them the serial number and they told me....10/27/1947 I love her but don't use her much

You can date your Featherweight here...go to the bottom of the page to the Letters Link and you can get the exact day it was made

http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_2letter.html

I acquired my 1947 Featherweight off eBay last March for $300 and have pieced 4-5 quilts with it already. I just love it!

I have 3. Little Abby is with me right now. I took her to Texas and worked on my Raspberry/Chocolate blocks. She sews like a dream. The other 2 I bought at a yard sale. I have only sewn on one of those because one needs a new belt.

I found Wine Woman one on craigslist and she loves it. A word of caution though...they are addictive though! :lol:

I found one, a centennial, for $200 on Craig's List! My first CL purchase. Now that I got it, I don't know what to do with it. LOL Maybe after W2 season is done, I will put it on the dining room table and piece with it. My sewing room is upstairs and gets cold in the winter.

I bought one a few month on ebay for $180. It was part of an estate sale. I happened to be Mfg the year I was born. It was a steal. Love it. Just needed some minor cleaning, it was in great shape, sent it in for a tune-up.

I got a call today from one of my charity quilting buddies, she was standing in our favorite thrift shop (they support our charity quilting with an annual stipend) with one hand on the machine and the other calling me from her cell phone. A complete Featherweight, with original manual, and folding table. 1951 Singer Featherweight $100 I am in heaven. Quilting friends are the best!

with the folding table too....omg! did someone know what they were doing???? Does it work...can't believe it

:shock:

I finally was able to devote some time to cleaning, oiling and testing this cute little machine today. I read through many of the links found on this board for directions. Required only minor tightening of the bobbin case tension and it sews beautiful! So yes, I can officially report that this $100 investment sews like a dream. Merry Christmas to me!!

It looks like it's a Centenninal, am I right?

Gosh...I didn't notice so took the flashlight and my reading glasses to inspect it. You are right, it is a Centennial! Thank you for pointing that out to me, that's neat. I think they released at least two 50,000 runs of Centennial machines so they ar

Gosh...I didn't notice so I took the flashlight and my reading glasses to inspect it. You are right, it is a Centennial! Thank you for pointing that out to me, that's neat. I think they released at least two 50,000 runs of Centennial machines so they aren't necessarily rare. I wonder what being a Centennial does to its value? It is a well used machine and would score about 4-5 on that Singer Featherweight Scale the collectors use.

Lucky you! You must have been an extra good girl this year...

The value of your machine just went up...what a heck of a deal you got. :thumbup:

I am tickled for you. I'd love to own a Centenninial...dream on!

You lucky lady. It definitely adds to the value. What a fine.

Send them on, both the machines and hubby!!! :mrgreen:

The machines your talking about are really simple to work on and you can just about convert any external motor machine to a treadle. I was thinking about converting my 1963 Kenmore to a treadle if and when the motor craps out on it.

I found someone who just acquired over 200 vintage machines and I am going through the photos and list of them picking out the ones I want. I should end up with 15 to 20 machines out of this deal if the price is right. The ones that I am looking at, the newest one is around 1930 and go back to the 1880's and are from various manufacturers.

Then there is the 8 hour drive one way to get them........

Billy

Oh my word! This is so wonderful for you! I'm so excited you are going to love it. And a table you scored-Congratulations! And make sure your friend knows how much we appreciate her and her finds!

My husband, surprisingly, bought me a Singer Featherweight Centennial edition at a quilt shop. It is in excellent shape. I haven't gotten to try it out yet but will soon. Have you used yours yet? Have you bought any Singer Featherweight books? Thanks for your help. I am just thrilled with owning the Featherweight!

yes vintage is great.

You ladies are so lucky...
Feather Weights have gone through the roof here in the last year.
I saw one on CL for 460$ the other day and the average price is 300 +/- depending on what comes with it.
I was able to find one in the Goodwill post that someone posted, it started at 120 and is now up to 140$ with a week left in the auction.
I'm still debating whether I REALLY need one or not!
Kirsten

Well, it was just about a miracle that my husband wanted to buy me that Featherweight. A really pleasant surprise. The quilt shop wanted $450 for the Featherweight but I got it down to $400, plus tax, of course! I was always looking at them on e-bay and there are all sorts or prices. My Featherweight is in very good condition - no scratches and looks great. It is quite hard to get one on e-bay. There are all sorts of prices depending on the condition of the machine. One of my coworkers got one cheap at a thrift store, around $100, it didn't work and she took the machine to be repaired for another $100 or so. It depends on what you want to do. The thing I liked about buying it from the quilt shop is that I actually got to try and make sure the machine worked, could see it in person, etc. It is all personal preference. Oh, plus you don't have to worry about it getting damaged in shipping. I understand there is a good book out there on the Singer Featherweight too by Susan Johnson-Srebo, which I am seriously thinking of purchasing. Have any of you purchased it yet?

I have a Singer Featherweight. I use it to take to class, camping, etc. It is light weight and portable. I also have a Viking Rose and if I had to pick which machine it would be too close to call. Did you know that you can go online and trace the history of your particular Featherweight? You can find info such as the date and area in which your machine was made.

Here you go....

http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html


Billy

The best way to pick up a featherweight is to watch your classifieds, make friends with your sewing machine repair show in your area, and let your friends and family know. The price depends on the age, condition, and color of the machine. Mine is white/green. Hope you find one... but sitting back and looking around will save you lots of $.

Hey Batchwatch Quilter - I bought my centennial FW in Niles. That wasn't you was it?!

I just bought a Centennial on eBay...I was surprised, as of last night eBay had 15 Centennials for sale and I think 3 222's. Some people didn't know they had a Centennial and those that did want more.

The one I bought needs a new paint job, so I'm having it painted either brown with gold or periwinkle with black. I've seen a brown one and it was beautiful...Periwinkle would be fun and funky. :)

I have another centennial, a blackside, and 2 regular ones. I'm trying to collect enough so there will be one for each grandchild when I'm gone. They've all come over and sewn with me, but they always want to use the Bernina. go figure. haha

I use 2 of them all the time. I have one set up at my house, and then one set up at my friends house so that I don't have to cart it back and forth. I love the way they sound. They're such a great little machine...compact and cute....

A couple of you have mentioned using a new quarter inch foot on your featherwieghts. Can you give me more information on those. My machine has what I guess is the original foot and the throatplate doesn't have the markings to get 1/4 inch either. Thanks.

All my sewing is done on my FW. I have several other old Singers...love them all...but the FW is the one I use.

I got my 1/4-inch quilting foot off ebay for about $12. There are quite a few vendors on the internet with the same foot for about the same price. Just Google Featherweight quilting foot and you should be able to find some. Good luck!

My featherweight quarter inch foot is plastic, I bought it on ebay, it didn't cost much. It works fine but I wish it was metal. I do all my piecing with my featherweight.

I use a stack of posty-notes for my 1/4". I measure out my scant 1/4" and stick my stack of posties there. This way I can butt my fabric up to the posties and always have a consistent stitch width.

I currently have two bids in on e-bay -one for a green/white and another for a black. I am trying to find one in great condition made in 1955 my birth year. I'll keep looking as I don't think I will get either of these. The bids are going wayyyy up there.

I just got one about 3 weeks ago. She was born in 1954. It is not in perfect shape but took right off when I used her for the 1st time. I am going to have a local quilt shop in Houghton Lake tune her up before I do too much. I am so happy with her. I named her Emma after mom mom who taught me to sew.