Jamiestitcher62

If you were to get a Featherweight, which ones would you favor. I kind of liked the really old ones before WWII when they did the scrollwork on the faceplate and the chrome on the wheel.

When I look on Ebay, it seems to me that the ones I looked at and thought were nice, didn't have any bids, is that because they are waiting until the end?

Is $250 a reasonable amount to spend on one that is in good working condition or is it ok to get one that is a fixer upper for cheap and get it fixed at your LQS?

katier825

I bought the one with the scrollwork on the plate. I must admit, I did spend about $500 for mine, but bought it from a dealer I've come to know and trust over the last several years. I was a bit nervous about having one shipped. I did what was comfortable for me. My dealer had already serviced it and everything was original and in almost pristine condition. I think the previous owner barely used it. He also included the first service for free, so that would probably be about $50. If you can get one in good working condition, I think $250 is good. If you found one really cheap, I'd be more cautious about it - at least ask questions to be sure about what you are getting. There is a great deal of info available on the internet that you can read up on. Parts are readily available, which is nice. Check your area for sewing machine repair shops. They love the older singers and are more reasonably priced than the LQS for repairs in my area.

hoppyfrog

I bought mine on E-Bay for $200. It's in great condition and then I took a class on how to do the routine maintenance. There's always a risk buying from E-Bay. Look at the feedback on the seller and how many items they have sold. If you have questions send them an e-mail. Even if the auction expires with no bids most will re-list it. See if they'll do a buy-it-now or if you can buy it from their store. Good luck. I love mine.

dreamer2009

you can also look on your local Craigslist.
That way you can go see it and test run it.
no shipping and bouncing around involved.

BellaBoo

I have the white/celery color Featherweight. It's a little smaller then the black one. It's so cute. A very dear lady gave it to me as she had several and was downsizing to move. It stays in a rolling tote and it's the one I take to guild and sewdays. With less people buying not needed items these days the cost will go down on many of the sought after sewing machines. Have patience and one will come your way.

Annaquilts

Definitely get it in as good and working condition as possible. It will be expensive to fix and some things can not be fixed. also parts do wear over time. so if you have one with high milage things might have worn through and it is most likley the part that wears the fasted on all FW. I have one sweet looking FW wiht a worn bobbin area. I might as well buy another FW because that part is about as much.

I prefer sewing on my black FW, older model, over my white FW, newer model.

$250 is reasonable if it has a case, looks nice, has accessories and works.

thimblebug6000

Doesn't lost'n 51 have some for sale right now? Maybe none left by the look of it.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-78518-1.htm

smitty

If possible, buy from someone you know. you can look at it--on ebay you really take a chance. if you buy on ebay,be very specific to the seller that you need it packed right. Google "how to pack a sewing machine for shipment". many a good machine has been ruined by poor packing.
you have to decide if you want a "beauty" or something to sew with. you will pay less for one that the decals & paint are chipped, etc. but the guts of these little babies are all the same. It needs to work well when you buy it.
sometimes you can tell by a sellers words if you should shy away from bidding. "I don't sew, so don't know too much about this "; the light works ; good for it's age; bought as is at an estate; are all clues that they do not know what they are doing. a knowledgeable seller will tell you condition in terms of scratches, decal wear, when it was serviced, will clean machine before photo shots, will guarantee the condition as stated, etc.
We clean, oil, etc. a lot of machines that are bought on ebay. so, add the cost of a good cleaning,oiling,etc to the price you are paying for the machine.
I think the machines made before 1953 have a better coat of paint. the scroll faceplate can be put on any machine,but were standard until (I think)1949-50.
We sell 221's for $375-400 for really nice ones. those that are cosmetically challenged $275. completely cleaned, etc. guaranteed. there are fantastic deals out there, if you want to wait until you stumble on one. they are great machines for classes, etc. so soothing to sew on.
We went to practically every garage sale around here (and we must be garage sale capitol of the world !) this season & only found 1 Featherweight--and that only because we happened to talk long enough to someone that she "remem
bered" a machine in a "little black box".
Here's to Happy Hunting & Happy Sewing on the vintage Singer machines. owner of WAY too many !

buslady

I was looking for one and kept bidding, but decided I wouldn't pay more than $300 for one. I lost several that went for $305, etc. but sure they would have went higher had I kept bidding. Then I saw one and I just placed a $200 big, figuring I would not get it, but when I got to work on Monday morning, I had an email that said I got it, for $179. I figure it didn't go as high because the case had a broken latch and was a little rough. My DSIL suggested I take it to a local Amish man that works on leather and stuff, I think he will do a good job at a reasonable price. I LOVE that machine, My DGD is learning and sews on it quite a bit, she likes it too. The seller was a top rated seller with 100% possitive feedback, I think that is what you should watch for! Good luck with finding YOUR baby, If it needs a little cleaning and adjusting, Billy is great, he helped me get the bobbin case installed correctly with one simple sentence!