Featherweights--Does anyone NOT love them?
#1
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I have never heard anyone say one negative thing about Featherweights. Are they that fantastic?
Are there any downsides to sewing on one? Anyone not like them (and why)?
Are there any downsides to sewing on one? Anyone not like them (and why)?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Upper Michigan
Posts: 8,248
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I dont want one, they are cute. If i traveled oor attended class they. Would be nice but for use at home? I dont know why.... now, if someone gave me one with the attachments and case I wouldnt say no, but Id display it.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Windham, Maine
Posts: 1,251
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I love my 1936 Featherweight. I don't believe I could live without it. Then again, it is the only machine that I use. The only downside I can see is that you will not be able to machine quilt large pieces as the throat of mine measures only 5". But that's why I hand quilt which is my favorite part. Anyone who has tension issues should refer to the manual and fix it - once! After that - you are golden. I have been using mine since the 70's - when my nanny gave it to me. ( Her brand new purchase back then to sew my mom's and her sisters clothes!) I do my own maintenance - rarely, except for the time that it had a short in the wiring and gave me some "Shock therapy" till I had the one ancient wire replaced. I can not sing the praises of my baby enough. And - no - she does not have a name but she is female. I can sew anything with it. Beautiful quilts, flannel jamas, denim knee patches, drapes, upholstery, bags - a workhorse. Love my machine. Since I plan to be cremated - I can't have the kids bury me with it. Better teach someone else in the family to sew so it has a good home!
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,393
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I love my little Featherwieghts, but I am not wild about the case. I prefer to put it in my case with the wheels and pack it along. I have my Janome 6600P set up all the time at home, so I rarely use the FW's at home. But they are perfect for travel. If you have limited space and only want to do straight stitching it is an ideal machine - great for teaching a child to sew also. (There is a button hole attachment and a zig-zag attachment and even a blind stitch attachment available.) I bought a walking foot to use with it, but so far have not tried to use it.
#6
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Thanks cwessel47 for your opinion--I really appreciate the information. I have a new "plastic" computerized machine but it doesn't compare with my old Singer that bit the dust a few years ago. I know that if anything happens to my new one I will not be able to fix it myself. I could sew anything on my old Singer too without any problems, and was surprised to be quilting through several layers with my new machine and it started smelling "hot"! I can see that it will probably not stand up to the sewing I do. A 5" throat on your featherweight is only an inch smaller than the one on my new machine, believe it or not! So I've been thinking really hard about getting a featherweight to have something portable to take with me to sew with friends, which I like to do. I just find it odd that I never hear anything bad about them, which is why I'm asking for the negatives before I spend the money on one (although I think it would be perfect for what I want to do).
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DFW / Texas
Posts: 1,254
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I will chime in here. I have a janome 6600wich is a big machine, too big to haul around to classes. So, I began the hunt for a FW. I found one, purchased it had her serviced, even bought the 1/4 foot for quilting. then i took her out for a spin at out local quilt a shop for a sit n sew on day. Thats wheni discover,,,,,,i don't like using her! Really. (1) First of all I can't run her as fast as I do my janome on chain piecing. (2) I sooooo miss the bigger throat & (3) my thread cutters. (4) I don't like the fact that she doesn't feed the same as my Janme does, it's almost like you have to gently guide / pull the fabric through (5) I also am used to sewing with an extension table on (now I know you can but one for the FW but that's more $). (6) I have almost forgotten how to adjust the speed and all using a pedal! Lol
Now for the good things, (1) she is small and very portable (2) no much to go wrong with her (3) she does sew a beautiful stitch!
BTW : her name is Lucy, she is black, and I will be selling her
Good luck on you're decision
Now for the good things, (1) she is small and very portable (2) no much to go wrong with her (3) she does sew a beautiful stitch!
BTW : her name is Lucy, she is black, and I will be selling her
Good luck on you're decision
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#8
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I purchased my FW about a year ago and have only taken it to one class.....I was seated beside a lady with a big old Brother machine that she ran 100 miles an hour and she bounced my little machine all over the place (plastic table). I managed to get my points to come out, but was the last one finished with my project. If you are used to all the bells and whistles of an electronic machine.....you may not be happy not being able to reverse on the fly, have a thread cutter etc. That being said I still like my little "mini mi" and will take it again to my next quilt retreat...just be careful where I sit! On the plus side I find that those little singer machines have more power to move thru several layers of fabric where my electronic stalled. Good luck with your decision.
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
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I'm one of those that doesn't love them:> I find them a bit wimpy to work on, a bit slower than other machines with a small motor and output. Cute? Yes, but I too prefer my 301's. And the 301's are not much heavier. So, unless a FW falls into my lap for very little money, I won't be owning one.
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