My Mom, who was an avid quilter, collected and repaired vintage sewing machines, but her main love, was the singer machines. While she was alive, she gave me two featherweights, one like yours, and one in a case with the fancy scroll design. She cleaned and repaired all types of machines, so every machine I received from her, runs like new! She also gave me a 301, and a 301A. I use the 301A to take with me when I travel. I am preserving the featherweight for now! What am I doing with all of these, and other vintage singer machines, one may wonder? I have daughters and granddaughters, and great granddaughters that will hopefully want them. A few have already taken some of them. The simplicity and quality of the vintage Singers is something to behold!
My Mom sewed only on a Singer Featherweight which she bought in the 40s. Then when I got married (1969) she gave it to me and bought herself a Singer Touch n Sew in a cabinet (which she also gave to me many years later). I sewed all my daughter's baby clothes on it and still have both of these machines. The Featherweight still has all the attachments and my Touch n Sew still has all the cams. I typically only sew on the Touch n Sew but the Featherweight works as well. Enjoy your new old machine!
I love mine. I once put a new needle it wrong and thought I broken it. When I took it into the shop, the woman told "No charge. Happy sewing." She became a special friend.
Hey Nikki, love your channel and I’ve ordered a pattern. We love featherweight 221’s too. But I believe you have it wrong, when you put the bobbin in the case , it should turn counter-clockwise. Many people make this mistake. Enjoy, and happy sewing! 💜
In old Singers the needle should be in the highest position before you try to pull thread out. So when you stop just turn the handwheel until the needle reaches the highest spot and then pull out fabric. Loved this video. Have always loved these little machines since I was in Home Ec in school and my teacher would bring hers in to sew with. Congratulations you have a gem.
My sister passed away a year ago. Since then my brother-in-law has been sorting through her belongings and giving a lot of them to me. Recently, we were visiting and he asked if I wanted her sewing machine so I said sure. Later I came into the room and I saw the oh so familiar case of a Featherweight. I gasped and said, “Oh, it’s a Featherweight!” before I even opened the case. I was stunned and so pleased to see that most of the attachments are still there. I never thought of naming her but I will definitely name her after my sister! I already had a Featherweight but have just the machine with no case or goodies. She will need a name, too! Enjoy your beautiful find!
Featherweights are just wonderful to sew on. I have a 1949 and she just hums along! I was enchanted to find they were designed to be maintained by the owner. I took a maintenance class, and learned the first rule of Featherweights is to never ever turn the handwheel towards the back, because it causes a thread jam in the bobbin case, and can lock the machine up. The tolerances are so close that a fragment of thread is all it takes. I also recommend replacing the regular light bulb with an LED bulb for better light, (HUGE difference!) and also the regular light bulbs get surface-of-the-sun hot!
Love my Cutterpillar light and my mom has a Featherweight....she purchased it about 45 years ago for me as a gift then realized what a gem she had and took it back!!!
I recently bought a 1940 Featherweight from a friend. The most interesting thing I've noticed is that the reverse lever actually has different stitch lengths, too. It works as a mirror image to the bottom numbers. If you push it all the way up, it is a long stitch but if you only put it slightly above the 30 it is very tiny! You tighten the screw on it to the stitch length you're using so that when you return from a reverse stitch it will go back to the same stitch length. The number means how many stitches per inch it makes, i.e. 6 stitches per inch (long) to 30 stitches per inch (tiny).
I have a feather weight that my sweet husband gave me. I love it! I am also blessed to have my grandmother’s Singer 301A and several other vintage Singers. I am always amazed at the workmanship and beauty that went into these machines that were made for such a utilitarian purpose!! We like to go to estate sales and often find them there and I always feel like I need to rescue them and give them a good home!! I think I have a problem!😂 Enjoy your treasure!❤️
I have my mom's, which she received from her parents as a wedding present in 1948. It came with the black carry case, button hole kit, rufflers, and other pieces, and the book. When she passed it came to me, and will go to my daughter. It is the most reliable sewing machine I've ever used.
I have my moms 1949 Singer in a cabinet. The "pedal" is actually activated by moving your knee to the right, as you sit. I learned to sew on this. My mom has passed away but I'm thrilled that she is always with me when i sew. Now that im retired, i hope to sew a lot more. Thanks for inspiring me to get back to it.
Many years ago my mom sold her featherweight and she always regretted it and never was able to find another one. She always said it was one of her biggest regrets in decluttering her sewing room preparing for a move.
I’m the lucky owner of two beautiful Featherweights, and bought one for my daughter who loves making quilts as much as I do. I paid £25 for my first, 20 years ago, with the box and ALL the original accessories, then a year later I drove to Wales, (I live in England) to get another for £10! Both were made in Canada which really pleased me, because my family is Scottish and one of my great uncles went from Glasgow to set up the factory in Canada. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. ❤
I have my Mom's Featherweight - she taught me to sew on it in 1966. I was 6 years old and have loved sewing all my life. I recently found one in very good condition at a local Goodwill for $160 and will keep that one for my not-yet-born granddaughter (due in December). Hopefully she inherits the joy of sewing!
Hello, just watched this video yesterday and thought how nice would it be to have one. So, today I asked my husband to search on market place. Amazing he found one that was posted 7 minutes ago and was just 25 minutes from our house. It’s amazing how things happen for a reason and are ment to be. This wonderful lady from whom I purchased the machine even had the original owners purchase receipt, manual and all attachments. I lucky am I and greatful. By the way I love, love your Chanel. Can’t wait to start using your pattern for making the house quilt.
My neighbor is selling a Featherweight 221-1 to me. It belonged to her Aunt who lived until she was. 104! I have seen the machine and all the parts along with the original manual. We are traveling right now so I won’t be able to get it until middle of next week. I am so excited just like you were! I’ve wanted a machine like this for years!
Regarding old thread on wooden bobbins …. Use the thread for hand basting and then throw thread away. The wooden bobbins can be re-used to hold ribbon, lace, DMC floss, etc…. They look very nice on a shelf in the sewing room.
Make sure you push up the bobbin winding spindle so the machine can run freely. I have one too which is about the same age and I got it from a relative for free. Love the sound they make.
I own a 1957 Featherweight which was about 10 years old when my parents purchased it for me. And I’ve been sewing on it ever since then. I am so grateful for The Featherweight Shop and highly recommend their maintenance manual and tools. Thank you, Nikki , for all of your inspiring videos.
I learned to sew on a Featherweight. I have my original with the scroll plate and my other featherweight has a side plate like you have. I also have 2 Singer 301. they are heavy but such workhorses. I've had a Singer 401 for a few years but just recently I've started using it and I"m hooked. I have bought other foot controls for my vintage machines.. That button doesn't work so good with my neuropathy in my feet. I have a few other machines too including a Bernina 830 but wouldn't take anything for my 221 301 or 401. they are the best so the best. tip....when not in use always lower your pressure foot lever. It releases the tension on it and helps to keep it strong and in good working shape.
I got a manual for mine at the Featherweight Shop and it's invaluable. I would suggest you get one. How long did it take you to realize that the light switch is not the on- off switch? 😉
Hi, my mother used to sew clothes for me and my sister in a Singer Featherweight. She sewed all kind of things like curtains and pillows as well as clothes. I remember when I was a little girl how shinny this machine was. The machine has more than 70 years and the stitch is so beautiful and it hardly makes noise. You bought a gem and I encourage those who have one to appreciate this piece of history. I love mine, it has history and reminds me how much my mother loved this machine. She taught me how to use it and sew using commercial patterns. Good luck with your gem. Elizabeth
adorable! most of us FW owners, name them. i have 3: linda sue (1952), doris (1951 centennial) and eleanor (1941), throw back names are fun! AND it appears that you have a Centennial (100 year anniversary) machine. the little blue badge is the indicator. the S badges you mentioned are rare and worth lots of money. congratulations and welcome to the club!
Yes, you have to give her a name! I named mine Eliza Jane because she's so cute and little--I sing that old song "Oh, little 'Liza, little 'Liza Jane" when I see her! I was named after my great grandmother, Ida Jane, who quilted by hand all of her days so it makes me think of her, too.
My Mother also had a Featherweight when I was young. I learned to sew on it when I was 12, she trained it in for a newer fancier one. I have always been hoping to find one at a garage sale, ha good luck with that. I am now 73 and I call it my midlife crisis (men by sports cars I buy sewing machines). I saw 3 on Facebook marketplace and one of them was in the town where I live, so I bought it 👏👏👏 not for $100 I might add. It had been serviced, I am happy to say. I made the same mistake and tried to thread the neadle left to right nope doesn’t work. I have the original Manuel and as I always say when all else fails read the directions 😂 I am so excited to do some quilting!
My husband bought me one for Xmas I love but I must oil it but he says you got a steal I collect vintage machines I also have an elna portable they're both great for the caravan happy sewing Maree from 🇦🇺 Australia❤😂
I was gifted a Singer 201-2 2 years ago. I absolutely love it, as long as i maintain it well. I do wish ot zig- zagged and i would mot meed another Machine.
Congratulations on finding such a pretty featherweight machine. I sew most of the time using vintage singer machines or using treadles. They are easier to maintain or work on myself than modern machines. I bought an LED light for my white featherweight because it is so much brighter AND you won’t get burnt if you accidentally brush against the light! There is an excellent resource book about featherweight machines by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. Happy sewing!
I too have a sweet little featherweight. Given to me when the owner was moving. I checked the serial # against the manufacturers date of this machine coming off the production line : December 1952 , my birth year! I love it!
I have one and also found the card table that was sold with them once upon a time...I know that tables were sold for the machine because my Aunt bought one on credit in the 50's and she was a great quilter.
I have my grandmother's Featherweight. I did purchase a new pedal for it, but it works well, otherwise. I love the sound of it while sewing. I sewed many dresses on it when I was in my teens. I think my mom sewed my wedding dress on it! It reminds me of my grandmother every time I use it. And my new foot was purchased from the Featherweight Shop, along with a few other items.😉
I have purchased so many wonderful things for my featherweight/301/99/etc from the featherweight shop! They are beyond helpful and I am thrilled to support them!
Hi Nicki! As a child my grandmother taught me to sew on a treadle machine. She was a fantastic quilter. My mom was a great seamstress on her feather weight. During college I taught myself to appliqué on Mom’s machine. After a full time career This year I mark 25 years of quilting
I am very happy for you! What a blessing. My sister has our mothers Genie Singer machine. It looka a lot like modern-day machines but has a case that slips around it and completely closes it up. She had is serviced at one point and the technician wanted to buy it from her. It is a great portable machine from the 1970s.
Wow! You got a great deal. No one should buy a regular featherweight for more than $500-$600 (not counting school bells or crinkles). I love my featherweights. I have a 1937 & a centennial 1949. Thanks for the video.
You've inspired me to dig out the Featherweight my mom gave me more than a decade ago after she closed her sew & vac shop. I've never used it. Love your fish blocks! I make similar fish shapes that I stuff and use for ornaments, baby toys, and a hanging decoration I'm working on. Thank you!
I love vintage machines! I don’t own any modern machines. I had asked my brother to keep an eye out for me for a Featherweight as he shops at various swap meets and other garage sales etc. Well he did find one, unbeknownst to me until it showed up with him as my birthday gift last year. Yes, I cried…he found one in excellent shape. Now I don’t have to lug around a 30lb 1960s Bernina 730 Record machine to take classes at the quilt shop. I also have my grandmother’s Singer 404a from the 1950s in a beautiful table. Remember the Featherweight needs grease in the motor ports. The best thing to remember is they do need oil regularly (and grease on gears and motor only) but not excessively, a drop of oil at each spot is all you need. And if you find one in a garage sale and it doesn’t turn, don’t force it but don’t count it out either, if all the mechanics look unbroken and free from excessive rust, likely you can get it oiled and it will work like new! Enjoy and happy sewing!
My grandmother had her mom's Singer featherweight machine and cabinet. I am setting up my new Brother 1034DX Serger this weekend. Happy sewing and quilting everyone!
You got an AMAZING deal on your machine!!! I got mine over a year ago from a vacuum cleaner and sewing repair shop in Colorado Springs (I live in Texas and I drive to Colorado once a year to visit my dad and stepmom). Mine was made in 1948, which is the year my dad was born, so that's pretty darn special! I actually took a Featherweight maintenance class a week ago at the Sewing and Quilting Expo that travels around the U.S. It was taught by Eric Drexler and he apparently teaches at these expos often. He had us taking our machines apart (not fully, but quite a bit of it!), cleaning, oiling, polishing, and putting them back together again. He taught us a lot of great tricks, too! Also, I believe he said that there is one brand of replacement belt that doesn't age well and ends up cracking easily. It looked a lot like the one that is on yours, but of course I have no idea if yours is the same kind he showed us. He raved about The Featherweight Shop (of which he is not affiliated) and encouraged us all to join their Facebook group. Congrats on your machine! They are just amazing to sew on!
From what I remember from years ago, when you find the right stitch length you can turn that screw on the knob and it locks the knob in place, so when you use reverse then come back down again it will stop at the chosen stitch length. Hope you get my meaning 🤩
I have the same machine and it just makes me so happy!! Just a heads up on the Featherweight shop- they do a really fun countdown at Christmas with great sales each day. REQUEST- I would love to see your take on the little doilie thingy that goes under the thread spool!
We are in the process of cleaning out my parent's house of 55 years to get it ready to sell. We came across two Singer Featherweight there....one in a case like yours and one with its own seeing table.
I have a 1956 Featherweight! Mine cost me $400 about 3 yrs ago. I have all the feet and the case too. Worth every penny. You got a deal! I use mine whenever I take a class or go to a retreat. But if I start piecing a quilt using it, I’ll finish the whole quilt on it. I got the manual, a new foot peddle (mine didn’t work) and the maintenance kit from the Featherweight Shop too. Be careful the switch doesn’t actually stop the sewing, it only controls the light. You can also buy a walking foot for it for about 25.00. Enjoy!
I inherited a featherweight from my mother in law but haven’t used it yet! In fact, I think it was actually her mother’s machine! You have inspired me to get it out and give it a try! I’m so excited it seems to be in perfect condition! I was fortunate enough to find a featherweight table in an antique shop and was able to purchase it for $125. It is super cool and I believe based on my research that it is worth around $300. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to play with it!❤
I have a 1947 featherweight machine. I didn’t know where to oil or lubricant the gears! Now I’ll go to the featherweight store to get that sheet on how to do it. Thanks so much.
Congratulations. I have 3 Featherweights 1936, 1950, 1952. All make beautiful stitches. They are my travel machines. Very easy to maintain. It’s not as fast as my Juki TL18QVP, but still great.
You did great. I have seen FW sell for as much as $4000. The featherweight shop has instructions for every machine and instructions and videos for each attachment. It took me 15 years to acquire most attachments. There are a couple attachments that only work on the FW 221 or FW 222 otherwise they can work on both. Each attachment has its own serial number. Kenneth King from Threads magazine says that the FW buttonhole attachment makes the best buttonholes of any machine old, modern or maker.
I was perfectly happy sewing on my modern Singer until suddenly I discovered sewing on vintage Singers!! That happened a few years ago when a dear friend and I were talking about our Mom’s machines, now long gone. I found a featherweight for my 65th bday at an antique shop to join my machine party of 10(oops!!)! It’s all way too fun!
You got a deal! I have wanted a Featherweight for over 30 years but never found one I could afford. A friend recently gave me her mom's, and it is from 1952. I have all the goodies from the Featherweight Shop to refurbish it, and I can't wait to start using it! I also have my grandmother's singer 500a Rocketeer and a singer 99 treadle. I love old sewing machines! Actually, I just love sewing machines, period!
You got an amazing deal, lucky you! I think anyone who can should have a featherweight. They’re great for travel, beginners, when your machine is in the shop, etc. I got super lucky and have my Grams. My service guy told me he LOVES working on them because they’re made so well, usually they just need an oiling/cleaning, sometimes the tension discs need a little work and that’s about it. Have fun, yours looks to be in excellent condition. These babies will still be running when all our current machines are cluttering up the landfills. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I was given a featherweight when I was a student and wanted to sew in my dorm room. I've had it for decades now and will keep it forever. You got a steal. Where I live, they are commonly sold for about six or seven hundred.
Nikki, I added the cutterpillar lights to my machines using command Velcro. That way I can remove it safely later and the sticky won’t damage my machines, I have three.
I have three Featherweight machines and just love sewing on them! My first machine was an anniversary gift from my husband bought at a thrift store when we were on vacation. He has since bought me two online. One is a white machine. I just think they're fun, and I love it that they are so simple and lightweight. The Featherweight Shop has a seam allowance tool that gives me a very accurate seam allowance. I use it quite a bit for scant 1/4" seams for quilting blocks. The blocks go together so well when you use a scant 1/4" seam. I have loved sewing since I was a little girl also! Neither one of my daughters got the "bug." Enjoy your great bargain!
I just purchased a 1950 Featherweight Centennial edition today from a young lady who inherited it from her grandmother. It has all of its accessories, the manual, a can of oil, a tube of lubricant, a receipt for her first installment payment, notes from her grandmother and various other sewing notions. It’s in absolutely pristine condition - I feel honored to be able to carry on the tradition of sewing/quilting that this woman started with this machine - I only hope I can do half as nice a job as she did! I plan on naming her after the original owner ❤
I have been into featherweights for four years now. I came across them in the internet accident. I now have 3 221s and one white one!!! They all work. You can get anything on The Singer Featherweight Shop!!! And tutorials on how to use and take care of it. Do not turn the wheel backwards. You will get a thread jam!! Get a jam tool from the Featherweight Shop. You will need it.
Congratulations! My husband’s coworker had rental houses & someone left one in one of the houses. My husband bought it for me. I do love it. I need to get it out & use it more often. 😊
The numbers on the stitch length plate indicate how many stitches per inch(so 12=12 stitches per inch, etc.) The Singer 301 has the same bobbin case and is gear driven. It is considered to be the larger version of the featherweight. I have a 301A that I love, but have never had a 221 featherweight. Hope you enjoy it!!! I love the all metal sewing machines! They are so precisely made they are works of art that can last for generations!🤓
Many moons ago I learned to sew on a Featherweight with my great aunt teaching me. I inherited hers. For some reason I don't use mine, but want to someday.
Watching this took me back to the 50's when I used to watch my mother who was a seamstress on her Singer treadle machine. Setting this one up looks just the same.
I had one. Bought when we were married. Made clothes for me and for my toddlers.Mine was used in 1969 and we paid $40 for it. In Loved it Came with a.buttonhole attachment and used a lot.
Congratulations! I have a Singer 401a but if I came across a Featherweight I would love to add it to my collection. The mechanical machines are so fun!
You have a great machine. The funny looking foot is for making ruffles.. You need to look at the motor there are two screws inside there are two bushing. They press against the motor when you run the machine. The fat quarter shop has replacement. You can buy thread stand so you can use bigger threads. Happy sewing
I have two, a white/ celery and a black with the same decals as yours. I think yours is a centennial which makes it a little more special. I have quite a few old singers, I love them all. The sound they make when they sew is so much nicer than new machines. I’ve made a few quilts on my featherweights and have loved using them. Make sure to replace the light bulb with a new cool one from The Featherweight Shop, I burned my hand really bad on the old bulb that came with it, I have a scar 😮. If you get a thread caught behind the bobbin case it can be a real pain, The Featherweight Shop sells a special tool to fix it which they have a video on, it’s really helpful. Enjoy your new toy!
I have one and she was born in 1947.i also have an original table that she sets in. I'm not a quilter. I just don't use her so I'm hoping you will inspire me to start.
We learned to see on my gramma’s Featherweight and I just recently inherited it. Mine is about the same age as yours. Thank you for a great re-tutorial!
I have a Singer Sewing Machine 99K which is a hand crank sewing machine so if the power go out I can still sew. I have Singer fever . I purchase a Featherweight on Ebay it is coming Monday. Happy sewing
Congratulations on your featherweight! I have two of them as well as 3 singer 301's. It's the big sister to the featherweight and it's my favorite machine besides my featherweight. They will last you a life time as long as you keep them clean and oiled.
That was a once-in-a-lifetime score! I paid $350 for mine and thought I got a good deal on it. Usually they go from $400 and up. They are adorable and portable, but I honestly think they're a little overrated as far as a main machine goes. I've used it for piecing but hands down my singer 201 is absolutely my favorite quilting machine. She is a beast! If you can ever find the little walking foot for them called a penguin foot, and you can get it, those are worth upwards of $2,000 alone. Also, just make sure you never roll the hand wheel backwards. It causes the thread to tangle up behind the bobbin case and it is an absolute nightmare to get it taken apart and cleaned out.
I love my featherweight I use it for everything including bag making.. yes I was trying to tell you But of course, you can't hear me you need to thread it from the inside out
Oh my goodness! You got a great deal! ❤️ The accessories might have an inscription on each part that describes what it is. I have my mother’s singer accessories and they are identified on each part
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My Mom, who was an avid quilter, collected and repaired vintage sewing machines, but her main love, was the singer machines. While she was alive, she gave me two featherweights, one like yours, and one in a case with the fancy scroll design. She cleaned and repaired all types of machines, so every machine I received from her, runs like new! She also gave me a 301, and a 301A. I use the 301A to take with me when I travel. I am preserving the featherweight for now! What am I doing with all of these, and other vintage singer machines, one may wonder? I have daughters and granddaughters, and great granddaughters that will hopefully want them. A few have already taken some of them. The simplicity and quality of the vintage Singers is something to behold!
My Mom sewed only on a Singer Featherweight which she bought in the 40s. Then when I got married (1969) she gave it to me and bought herself a Singer Touch n Sew in a cabinet (which she also gave to me many years later). I sewed all my daughter's baby clothes on it and still have both of these machines. The Featherweight still has all the attachments and my Touch n Sew still has all the cams. I typically only sew on the Touch n Sew but the Featherweight works as well. Enjoy your new old machine!
I love mine. I once put a new needle it wrong and thought I broken it. When I took it into the shop, the woman told "No charge. Happy sewing."
She became a special friend.
Hey Nikki, love your channel and I’ve ordered a pattern.
We love featherweight 221’s too. But I believe you have it wrong, when you put the bobbin in the case , it should turn counter-clockwise. Many people make this mistake.
Enjoy, and happy sewing! 💜
In old Singers the needle should be in the highest position before you try to pull thread out. So when you stop just turn the handwheel until the needle reaches the highest spot and then pull out fabric. Loved this video. Have always loved these little machines since I was in Home Ec in school and my teacher would bring hers in to sew with. Congratulations you have a gem.
My sister passed away a year ago. Since then my brother-in-law has been sorting through her belongings and giving a lot of them to me. Recently, we were visiting and he asked if I wanted her sewing machine so I said sure. Later I came into the room and I saw the oh so familiar case of a Featherweight. I gasped and said, “Oh, it’s a Featherweight!” before I even opened the case. I was stunned and so pleased to see that most of the attachments are still there. I never thought of naming her but I will definitely name her after my sister! I already had a Featherweight but have just the machine with no case or goodies. She will need a name, too! Enjoy your beautiful find!
That funny looking attachment is a PLEATER & RUFFLER. Love the machine 😊
And they’re SO fun to use!!
I’m a newbie to Featherweights. I purchased mine yesterday at the Houston Quilt Show. Thank you for this video 😍
Congrats
Featherweights are just wonderful to sew on. I have a 1949 and she just hums along! I was enchanted to find they were designed to be maintained by the owner. I took a maintenance class, and learned the first rule of Featherweights is to never ever turn the handwheel towards the back, because it causes a thread jam in the bobbin case, and can lock the machine up. The tolerances are so close that a fragment of thread is all it takes.
I also recommend replacing the regular light bulb with an LED bulb for better light, (HUGE difference!) and also the regular light bulbs get surface-of-the-sun hot!
Love my Cutterpillar light and my mom has a Featherweight....she purchased it about 45 years ago for me as a gift then realized what a gem she had and took it back!!!
I recently bought a 1940 Featherweight from a friend. The most interesting thing I've noticed is that the reverse lever actually has different stitch lengths, too. It works as a mirror image to the bottom numbers. If you push it all the way up, it is a long stitch but if you only put it slightly above the 30 it is very tiny! You tighten the screw on it to the stitch length you're using so that when you return from a reverse stitch it will go back to the same stitch length. The number means how many stitches per inch it makes, i.e. 6 stitches per inch (long) to 30 stitches per inch (tiny).
I have a feather weight that my sweet husband gave me. I love it! I am also blessed to have my grandmother’s Singer 301A and several other vintage Singers. I am always amazed at the workmanship and beauty that went into these machines that were made for such a utilitarian purpose!! We like to go to estate sales and often find them there and I always feel like I need to rescue them and give them a good home!! I think I have a problem!😂
Enjoy your treasure!❤️
I have my mom's, which she received from her parents as a wedding present in 1948. It came with the black carry case, button hole kit, rufflers, and other pieces, and the book. When she passed it came to me, and will go to my daughter. It is the most reliable sewing machine I've ever used.
STAHP
they sell for a couple thousand sometimes.....I love it! Well done Mrs 🎉 the big foot is the ruffler foot
I have my moms 1949 Singer in a cabinet. The "pedal" is actually activated by moving your knee to the right, as you sit. I learned to sew on this. My mom has passed away but I'm thrilled that she is always with me when i sew. Now that im retired, i hope to sew a lot more. Thanks for inspiring me to get back to it.
Many years ago my mom sold her featherweight and she always regretted it and never was able to find another one. She always said it was one of her biggest regrets in decluttering her sewing room preparing for a move.
I’m the lucky owner of two beautiful Featherweights, and bought one for my daughter who loves making quilts as much as I do. I paid £25 for my first, 20 years ago, with the box and ALL the original accessories, then a year later I drove to Wales, (I live in England) to get another for £10!
Both were made in Canada which really pleased me, because my family is Scottish and one of my great uncles went from Glasgow to set up the factory in Canada.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. ❤
That is a cool piece of family history. Hello from 🇨🇦
I have my Mom's Featherweight - she taught me to sew on it in 1966. I was 6 years old and have loved sewing all my life. I recently found one in very good condition at a local Goodwill for $160 and will keep that one for my not-yet-born granddaughter (due in December). Hopefully she inherits the joy of sewing!
Hello, just watched this video yesterday and thought how nice would it be to have one. So, today I asked my husband to search on market place. Amazing he found one that was posted 7 minutes ago and was just 25 minutes from our house. It’s amazing how things happen for a reason and are ment to be. This wonderful lady from whom I purchased the machine even had the original owners purchase receipt, manual and all attachments. I lucky am I and greatful. By the way I love, love your Chanel. Can’t wait to start using your pattern for making the house quilt.
Amazing!!
Got my 1936 machine for $10 at a garage sale 😊. Love it. I bought an extension table for it at a show. Love it.
Wow, $10!! 😱
My neighbor is selling a Featherweight 221-1 to me. It belonged to her Aunt who lived until she was. 104! I have seen the machine and all the parts along with the original manual. We are traveling right now so I won’t be able to get it until middle of next week. I am so excited just like you were! I’ve wanted a machine like this for years!
So happy for your vintage find!! I have my Moms, and I love it. For all the info you may ever need try the Featherweight Schoolhouse.
Regarding old thread on wooden bobbins …. Use the thread for hand basting and then throw thread away. The wooden bobbins can be re-used to hold ribbon, lace, DMC floss, etc…. They look very nice on a shelf in the sewing room.
Make sure you push up the bobbin winding spindle so the machine can run freely. I have one too which is about the same age and I got it from a relative for free. Love the sound they make.
I love my Featherweight. Now you have to name her! My girls name is Frankie (cause i purchased her in Franklin, NC). Great find!
I own a 1957 Featherweight which was about 10 years old when my parents purchased it for me. And I’ve been sewing on it ever since then. I am so grateful for The Featherweight Shop and highly recommend their maintenance manual and tools. Thank you, Nikki , for all of your inspiring videos.
I learned to sew on a Featherweight. I have my original with the scroll plate and my other featherweight has a side plate like you have. I also have 2 Singer 301. they are heavy but such workhorses. I've had a Singer 401 for a few years but just recently I've started using it and I"m hooked. I have bought other foot controls for my vintage machines.. That button doesn't work so good with my neuropathy in my feet. I have a few other machines too including a Bernina 830 but wouldn't take anything for my 221 301 or 401. they are the best so the best. tip....when not in use always lower your pressure foot lever. It releases the tension on it and helps to keep it strong and in good working shape.
Love my celery green Featherweight! Received as an incentive for getting all As and Bs on my report card in Grade 8.
Awwww that’s amazing!
❤Beautiful ❤. Another helpful shop is Nova Montgomery.
I got a manual for mine at the Featherweight Shop and it's invaluable. I would suggest you get one. How long did it take you to realize that the light switch is not the on- off switch? 😉
Hi, my mother used to sew clothes for me and my sister in a Singer Featherweight. She sewed all kind of things like curtains and pillows as well as clothes. I remember when I was a little girl how shinny this machine was. The machine has more than 70 years and the stitch is so beautiful and it hardly makes noise.
You bought a gem and I encourage those who have one to appreciate this piece of history. I love mine, it has history and reminds me how much my mother loved this machine. She taught me how to use it and sew using commercial patterns.
Good luck with your gem.
Elizabeth
I have the featherweight that my mom and aunts learned on. We just got together for a sewing week and there were 4 featherweights being used. 😊
adorable! most of us FW owners, name them. i have 3: linda sue (1952), doris (1951 centennial) and eleanor (1941), throw back names are fun! AND it appears that you have a Centennial (100 year anniversary) machine. the little blue badge is the indicator. the S badges you mentioned are rare and worth lots of money. congratulations and welcome to the club!
I named my centennial “Charlotte”, then made a mat and cover for ‘her’- so fun!
Yes, you have to give her a name! I named mine Eliza Jane because she's so cute and little--I sing that old song "Oh, little 'Liza, little 'Liza Jane" when I see her! I was named after my great grandmother, Ida Jane, who quilted by hand all of her days so it makes me think of her, too.
Aw, Layla’s middle name is also Jane! Her great grandma was Dorothy Jane and her grandma is Rebecca Jane ☺️
BTW on off switch only operates the light. Presser foot is still on. You have to unplug or turn off the power bar. 🤔
Wow! What a great price for that lovely machine. I too want one, but haven’t seen one in my area in my price range. So excited for you.
My Mother also had a Featherweight when I was young. I learned to sew on it when I was 12, she trained it in for a newer fancier one. I have always been hoping to find one at a garage sale, ha good luck with that. I am now 73 and I call it my midlife crisis (men by sports cars I buy sewing machines). I saw 3 on Facebook marketplace and one of them was in the town where I live, so I bought it 👏👏👏 not for $100 I might add. It had been serviced, I am happy to say. I made the same mistake and tried to thread the neadle left to right nope doesn’t work. I have the original Manuel and as I always say when all else fails read the directions 😂 I am so excited to do some quilting!
Awesome!
My husband bought me one for Xmas I love but I must oil it but he says you got a steal I collect vintage machines I also have an elna portable they're both great for the caravan happy sewing Maree from 🇦🇺 Australia❤😂
I was gifted a Singer 201-2 2 years ago. I absolutely love it, as long as i maintain it well. I do wish ot zig- zagged and i would mot meed another Machine.
Congratulations on finding such a pretty featherweight machine. I sew most of the time using vintage singer machines or using treadles. They are easier to maintain or work on myself than modern machines. I bought an LED light for my white featherweight because it is so much brighter AND you won’t get burnt if you accidentally brush against the light! There is an excellent resource book about featherweight machines by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. Happy sewing!
I too have a sweet little featherweight. Given to me when the owner was moving. I checked the serial # against the manufacturers date of this machine coming off the production line : December 1952 , my birth year! I love it!
I have one and also found the card table that was sold with them once upon a time...I know that tables were sold for the machine because my Aunt bought one on credit in the 50's and she was a great quilter.
Lucky girl 🍀
I found my 221 pale green ( almost white ) and my 222k in thrift store in France. These are beautiful and very smooth sewing machine 😊
I have my grandmother's Featherweight. I did purchase a new pedal for it, but it works well, otherwise. I love the sound of it while sewing. I sewed many dresses on it when I was in my teens. I think my mom sewed my wedding dress on it! It reminds me of my grandmother every time I use it. And my new foot was purchased from the Featherweight Shop, along with a few other items.😉
I have purchased so many wonderful things for my featherweight/301/99/etc from the featherweight shop! They are beyond helpful and I am thrilled to support them!
Hi Nicki! As a child my grandmother taught me to sew on a treadle machine. She was a fantastic quilter. My mom was a great seamstress on her feather weight. During college I taught myself to appliqué on Mom’s machine. After a full time career This year I mark 25 years of quilting
I have two. Want to sell one but never get around to listing it. This video inspired me to use mine more!
I dream of having a featherweight. Yours is beautiful. 😊
I am very happy for you! What a blessing. My sister has our mothers Genie Singer machine. It looka a lot like modern-day machines but has a case that slips around it and completely closes it up. She had is serviced at one point and the technician wanted to buy it from her. It is a great portable machine from the 1970s.
I just looked that up and what a cute machine!
Wow! You got a great deal. No one should buy a regular featherweight for more than $500-$600 (not counting school bells or crinkles). I love my featherweights. I have a 1937 & a centennial 1949. Thanks for the video.
I’ve been wanting a featherweight for such a long time! Congrats on your awesome find!
You've inspired me to dig out the Featherweight my mom gave me more than a decade ago after she closed her sew & vac shop. I've never used it. Love your fish blocks! I make similar fish shapes that I stuff and use for ornaments, baby toys, and a hanging decoration I'm working on. Thank you!
I love vintage machines! I don’t own any modern machines. I had asked my brother to keep an eye out for me for a Featherweight as he shops at various swap meets and other garage sales etc. Well he did find one, unbeknownst to me until it showed up with him as my birthday gift last year. Yes, I cried…he found one in excellent shape. Now I don’t have to lug around a 30lb 1960s Bernina 730 Record machine to take classes at the quilt shop. I also have my grandmother’s Singer 404a from the 1950s in a beautiful table. Remember the Featherweight needs grease in the motor ports. The best thing to remember is they do need oil regularly (and grease on gears and motor only) but not excessively, a drop of oil at each spot is all you need. And if you find one in a garage sale and it doesn’t turn, don’t force it but don’t count it out either, if all the mechanics look unbroken and free from excessive rust, likely you can get it oiled and it will work like new! Enjoy and happy sewing!
My grandmother had her mom's Singer featherweight machine and cabinet. I am setting up my new Brother 1034DX Serger this weekend. Happy sewing and quilting everyone!
You got an AMAZING deal on your machine!!! I got mine over a year ago from a vacuum cleaner and sewing repair shop in Colorado Springs (I live in Texas and I drive to Colorado once a year to visit my dad and stepmom). Mine was made in 1948, which is the year my dad was born, so that's pretty darn special!
I actually took a Featherweight maintenance class a week ago at the Sewing and Quilting Expo that travels around the U.S. It was taught by Eric Drexler and he apparently teaches at these expos often. He had us taking our machines apart (not fully, but quite a bit of it!), cleaning, oiling, polishing, and putting them back together again. He taught us a lot of great tricks, too! Also, I believe he said that there is one brand of replacement belt that doesn't age well and ends up cracking easily. It looked a lot like the one that is on yours, but of course I have no idea if yours is the same kind he showed us. He raved about The Featherweight Shop (of which he is not affiliated) and encouraged us all to join their Facebook group.
Congrats on your machine! They are just amazing to sew on!
Sweet Centennial! Threads rt to left...best not to touch the sheath on the light wiring - the coating is lead.
From what I remember from years ago, when you find the right stitch length you can turn that screw on the knob and it locks the knob in place, so when you use reverse then come back down again it will stop at the chosen stitch length. Hope you get my meaning 🤩
I have the same machine and it just makes me so happy!! Just a heads up on the Featherweight shop- they do a really fun countdown at Christmas with great sales each day. REQUEST- I would love to see your take on the little doilie thingy that goes under the thread spool!
Oh fun! Thanks for that tidbit 👍🏻
We are in the process of cleaning out my parent's house of 55 years to get it ready to sell. We came across two Singer Featherweight there....one in a case like yours and one with its own seeing table.
That table is almost worth what the machine is!
I have a 1956 Featherweight! Mine cost me $400 about 3 yrs ago. I have all the feet and the case too. Worth every penny. You got a deal! I use mine whenever I take a class or go to a retreat. But if I start piecing a quilt using it, I’ll finish the whole quilt on it. I got the manual, a new foot peddle (mine didn’t work) and the maintenance kit from the Featherweight Shop too. Be careful the switch doesn’t actually stop the sewing, it only controls the light. You can also buy a walking foot for it for about 25.00. Enjoy!
Love these machines! I scored mine for 40.00. The junk brothers didn’t know what they had. Works better than any of my other machines.
I inherited a featherweight from my mother in law but haven’t used it yet! In fact, I think it was actually her mother’s machine! You have inspired me to get it out and give it a try! I’m so excited it seems to be in perfect condition! I was fortunate enough to find a featherweight table in an antique shop and was able to purchase it for $125. It is super cool and I believe based on my research that it is worth around $300. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to play with it!❤
I have a 1947 featherweight machine. I didn’t know where to oil or lubricant the gears! Now I’ll go to the featherweight store to get that sheet on how to do it. Thanks so much.
Congratulations. I have 3 Featherweights 1936, 1950, 1952. All make beautiful stitches. They are my travel machines. Very easy to maintain. It’s not as fast as my Juki TL18QVP, but still great.
You did great. I have seen FW sell for as much as $4000. The featherweight shop has instructions for every machine and instructions and videos for each attachment. It took me 15 years to acquire most attachments. There are a couple attachments that only work on the FW 221 or FW 222 otherwise they can work on both. Each attachment has its own serial number. Kenneth King from Threads magazine says that the FW buttonhole attachment makes the best buttonholes of any machine old, modern or maker.
I was perfectly happy sewing on my modern Singer until suddenly I discovered sewing on vintage Singers!! That happened a few years ago when a dear friend and I were talking about our Mom’s machines, now long gone. I found a featherweight for my 65th bday at an antique shop to join my machine party of 10(oops!!)! It’s all way too fun!
The most beautiful machine ❤
Oh my goodness, I can actually remember the feel of threading any old Singer!!! I love this and thank you so much. New sub.
You got a deal! I have wanted a Featherweight for over 30 years but never found one I could afford. A friend recently gave me her mom's, and it is from 1952. I have all the goodies from the Featherweight Shop to refurbish it, and I can't wait to start using it!
I also have my grandmother's singer 500a Rocketeer and a singer 99 treadle. I love old sewing machines! Actually, I just love sewing machines, period!
I also sew on a Rocketeer, and mine was also my grandmother’s! I love using it’s
The Featherweight Shop is the best❣️. They also have a UA-cam channel 💕
You got an amazing deal, lucky you! I think anyone who can should have a featherweight. They’re great for travel, beginners, when your machine is in the shop, etc. I got super lucky and have my Grams. My service guy told me he LOVES working on them because they’re made so well, usually they just need an oiling/cleaning, sometimes the tension discs need a little work and that’s about it. Have fun, yours looks to be in excellent condition. These babies will still be running when all our current machines are cluttering up the landfills. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I was given a featherweight when I was a student and wanted to sew in my dorm room. I've had it for decades now and will keep it forever. You got a steal. Where I live, they are commonly sold for about six or seven hundred.
Nikki, I added the cutterpillar lights to my machines using command Velcro. That way I can remove it safely later and the sticky won’t damage my machines, I have three.
I have three Featherweight machines and just love sewing on them! My first machine was an anniversary gift from my husband bought at a thrift store when we were on vacation. He has since bought me two online. One is a white machine. I just think they're fun, and I love it that they are so simple and lightweight. The Featherweight Shop has a seam allowance tool that gives me a very accurate seam allowance. I use it quite a bit for scant 1/4" seams for quilting blocks. The blocks go together so well when you use a scant 1/4" seam. I have loved sewing since I was a little girl also! Neither one of my daughters got the "bug." Enjoy your great bargain!
I just purchased a 1950 Featherweight Centennial edition today from a young lady who inherited it from her grandmother. It has all of its accessories, the manual, a can of oil, a tube of lubricant, a receipt for her first installment payment, notes from her grandmother and various other sewing notions. It’s in absolutely pristine condition - I feel honored to be able to carry on the tradition of sewing/quilting that this woman started with this machine - I only hope I can do half as nice a job as she did! I plan on naming her after the original owner ❤
I have been into featherweights for four years now. I came across them in the internet accident. I now have 3 221s and one white one!!! They all work. You can get anything on The Singer Featherweight Shop!!! And tutorials on how to use and take care of it. Do not turn the wheel backwards. You will get a thread jam!! Get a jam tool from the Featherweight Shop. You will need it.
I got my white one at an estate sale. Had to bid on it. I won it for $325. I was thrilled!!!!
Congratulations! My husband’s coworker had rental houses & someone left one in one of the houses. My husband bought it for me. I do love it. I need to get it out & use it more often. 😊
The numbers on the stitch length plate indicate how many stitches per inch(so 12=12 stitches per inch, etc.) The Singer 301 has the same bobbin case and is gear driven. It is considered to be the larger version of the featherweight. I have a 301A that I love, but have never had a 221 featherweight. Hope you enjoy it!!! I love the all metal sewing machines! They are so precisely made they are works of art that can last for generations!🤓
Many moons ago I learned to sew on a Featherweight with my great aunt teaching me. I inherited hers. For some reason I don't use mine, but want to someday.
They are the best sewing machine❣️. I have two and really enjoy using the them. So easy to service yourself.
You will have so much fun using yours💕
When the take -up lever is at its highest position the fabric can be easily pulled out of the machine!
Watching this took me back to the 50's when I used to watch my mother who was a seamstress on her Singer treadle machine. Setting this one up looks just the same.
I had one. Bought when we were married. Made clothes for me and for my toddlers.Mine was used in 1969 and we paid $40
for it. In Loved it
Came with a.buttonhole attachment and used a lot.
I got that light and it works really well. I have Featherweight envy! Your machine is so CUTE!
Hey, I just got my first one too! Two weeks ago. Be careful. They're like candy! You never have too many.
Congratulations!
I have a Singer 401a but if I came across a Featherweight I would love to add it to my collection. The mechanical machines are so fun!
You have a great machine. The funny looking foot is for making ruffles.. You need to look at the motor there are two screws inside there are two bushing. They press against the motor when you run the machine. The fat quarter shop has replacement. You can buy thread stand so you can use bigger threads. Happy sewing
I have two, a white/ celery and a black with the same decals as yours. I think yours is a centennial which makes it a little more special. I have quite a few old singers, I love them all. The sound they make when they sew is so much nicer than new machines. I’ve made a few quilts on my featherweights and have loved using them. Make sure to replace the light bulb with a new cool one from The Featherweight Shop, I burned my hand really bad on the old bulb that came with it, I have a scar 😮. If you get a thread caught behind the bobbin case it can be a real pain, The Featherweight Shop sells a special tool to fix it which they have a video on, it’s really helpful. Enjoy your new toy!
I have one and she was born in 1947.i also have an original table that she sets in. I'm not a quilter. I just don't use her so I'm hoping you will inspire me to start.
Love my FW she has a free arm and the best stitch quality around. The Featherweight Shop is great and ships quickly❤
Awesome! I have two machines and I just love them. They stitch so good. ❤
We learned to see on my gramma’s Featherweight and I just recently inherited it. Mine is about the same age as yours. Thank you for a great
re-tutorial!
I have a Singer Sewing Machine 99K which is a hand crank sewing machine so if the power go out I can still sew. I have Singer fever . I purchase a Featherweight on Ebay it is coming Monday. Happy sewing
I love my Featherweight, I call her my little Italian vintage sports car. Even my mechanic son likes the way she hums.
Congratulations on your featherweight! I have two of them as well as 3 singer 301's. It's the big sister to the featherweight and it's my favorite machine besides my featherweight. They will last you a life time as long as you keep them clean and oiled.
That was a once-in-a-lifetime score! I paid $350 for mine and thought I got a good deal on it. Usually they go from $400 and up. They are adorable and portable, but I honestly think they're a little overrated as far as a main machine goes. I've used it for piecing but hands down my singer 201 is absolutely my favorite quilting machine. She is a beast! If you can ever find the little walking foot for them called a penguin foot, and you can get it, those are worth upwards of $2,000 alone. Also, just make sure you never roll the hand wheel backwards. It causes the thread to tangle up behind the bobbin case and it is an absolute nightmare to get it taken apart and cleaned out.
Very cool find. Love all the history behind it.
I love my featherweight I use it for everything including bag making.. yes I was trying to tell you But of course, you can't hear me you need to thread it from the inside out
Lucky you --beautiful shape!
Oh my goodness!
You got a great deal! ❤️
The accessories might have an inscription on each part that describes what it is.
I have my mother’s singer accessories and they are identified on each part