Singer Featherweight Gallery
Wednesday January 10, 2007
Tiny by today's standards, when people see a vintage Singer Featherweight for the very first time they sometimes think the little sewing machines are toys. Far from it -- they're dependable workhorses that sew an excellent straight stitch. We don't see as many white Featherweights as black models, and the tan and green versions are even more scarce (in my experience). It's always fun to be in a quilting workshop filled with Featherweights, because everyone compares their machines. I've had several Featherweights over the years, and am looking for a 1938 model like one I gave away several years ago.... and shhh, this one lives at my house right now, even though I gave it to my daughter years ago. She has a Bernina, but I suspect she's close to retrieving this little guy. The Featherweight Gallery is brand new, so take a look, and then consider sending me a photo of yours to help fill it out.Friday Update: After dragging out the little guy in the picture, I started looking on eBay, because I've let all of my black Featherweights go over the years. Some people are calling machines like this "mint green," which I don't believe is accurate. There are indeed "green" machines and "tan" machines, but if I remember correctly they don't look exactly like this -- and the two colors are very obvious, not watered-down in any way. If you have one, I'd sure appreciate if you would submit a photo of it to show people how they truly differ. Merry--are you out there? I know you had a tan Featherweight.
Comments
I just bought a featherweight singer sewing machine off of eBay for $190! I also saw a tan featherweight while I was browsing. While I own a Bernina (I love it!), my featherweight is excellent, not only for quilting, but for making puppets for a puppet ministry that I am starting up at my church. Not having to drag my Bernina (which is really heavy!) back and forth to church to meet with other ladies who are helping to make the puppets is wonderful and, as has been stated before, these little guys sew a GREAT straight seam. Mine came from an estate sale. I was surprised at how many of these machines are still around and available on eBay.
I adore my featherweight. It sews such a wonderful straight seam and I enjoy the clicky clack. How about adding a forum for featherweights?
After a local shop owner who collects and restores Berninas came to our guild, I found out the old Singer 301’s are the same machine, just more heavy duty. I was able to pick one up for $75 – a real steal compared to a featherweight. Yes, it’s heavier, but it sews just like a featherweight if you can’t afford the pricetag on the real thing.
I have a Singer child’s machine. It is all metal and you crank the wheel by hand to make it sew. It attaches to a surface with a large C-clamp. I never seen another one like it. I even have the box it came in. A real treasure.
Hi Janice,
I work at Heart to Heart Quilt shop in Trussville, AL and we had a green Featherweight at our shop. We also have a customer who has a tan one. I had a black one that I just sold because I purchased a new Pfaff “baby” machine to carry with me when I go on vacation. I have never seen a white one like you have. There seems to be no gold on the flat of the machine. Did they not put gold on that one or has it rubbed off. \
Also, my mothers featherweight went through a fire. It will still run, believe it or not, but we would like to have it refinished. The paint is somewhat sticky and I think it would ruin her fabric to use it. She bought the machine when I was almost 4 to carry to Germany with us. I had my birthday on the ship. I am now 64 so it is really an old machine.
If you know anyone who refinishes these machines, please let me know.
Hi Wanda, the white machines do not have gold trim. I believe many of the white machines were sold in Canada. I don’t know of anyone who paints them for people, but will see what I can find. I’ve been encouraging my husband to do that, because he has all the paint tools and other tools and supplies to do it–but his hobby has him doing that with automotibiles, the sewing machines aren’t much of an attraction–yet
I have a Singer 221-1 in excellent condition, with the table. I want to sell it in the Milwaukee area. How much should I be asking?
I have an old Singer Sewing machine I would like to sell. Any ideas?
I just won at auction a beautiful FW from 1946 from the estate of a 91 year old lady. As I was leaving to pay for it a man stopped me and asked if I collected them and I told him no that I quilted and that it would be staying with me and not re-sold. He was there to see how the estate items sold and told me the lady was the original owner and did alot of sewing and quilting with the machine and he was happy to hear that I would be using it. I asked for her name and home town and plan on keeping it on an index card in the case to keep the history of the machine rigth there with it, and I will add my name after her’s. I Love Love Love my new little baby!
Please call me if you have a featherweight for sale. I am looking for a black one. 6076593556
The white Featherweights were all made in Scotland. The color is Pale Turquois. There are some differnces between the White (221K) and the Black machines.
The white FWs are slightly smaller and use a belt instead of gears.
We have 5 FWs, 4 Black,1935,1936,1952 and a 1957. One White 221K from 64.
how do I know if Im buying a featherweight? there are some beautiful old machines on ebay, but most are heavy and some in stands. is there a difference apart from the weight. I love the wide arm. they look great for quilting!!
I just found this site so this post on refinishing is late but if Wanda still needs a repaint, check out http://www.deskdave.com/ He repainted one for my wife and did a great job. It is not cheap but when you consider the work involved the price is fair and the workmanship is superb.