Singer Featherweight

[Kathryn D.]

My Featherweight is a 1938 and my mom gave it to me for my HS graduation in 1973. She paid 35 dollars for it in a thrift store (it was in the window). I've sewn on it nearly exclusively. It just purrs along, easy to care for. I baby it..keep it well oiled, etc.

It came with all the attatchments..ruffler, pleater, crazy looking things but I've never gotten around to trying them. Just thinking bout this now is making me curious. Think I'll play with them later today. I'll get back to you all about this.

Take a 'Care and Feeding of your Featherweight' class if you ever see one in your area.

I have a Bernina 180 which I also love, but always feel at home on my little black machine.


Featherweight Fan !!
Kathy DB

[Lilo B.]

I bought a FW about 4 years ago after seeing one a friend had. I love the portability of it. But...I haven't used it in a long time. I have gotten so used to my "modern" machine that I generally don't think of the FW.

Reading your testimonies has made me want to get it out, have it cleaned and use it again.

Thanks

[Lilo B.]

I just received a 221-1 featherweight today and I'm so excited! My dil's brother found it at a church rummage sale and got it for me. Wouldn't let me repay him - said it was another thank you for making him a quilt
I'm so encouraged at reading all the previous posts and can't wait to use it. It is in beautiful condition and sews great; it has all the attachments and manual and all is neatly packed in the case. Thank you all for sharing about your machines
Pat

[Lilo B.]

Boy Pat you are really blessed to receive this machine. I do believe it is a God Thing - since it came from a church rummage sale. What a better person to receive such a wonderful gift but a quilter. I know you will certainly enjoy and put it to good use. Tell your Brother-in-law thank you from a fellow quilter. If he happens to find another one, I hope I might be in line to also receive such a gift - only kidding.
Happy Quilting,
Rachel in Ohio

[Lilo B.]

I just found a 221 yesterday at a flea market. It was made the same year I was born, 1956. I was a bit worried at first, because I couldn't get it to sew, but after trying many adjustments, I finally thought to replace the needle, and voila, it sewed a very nice seam. I have a 1940 full-size Singer that I inherited from my mother, and I have always loved it, but this one will be great to take to classes.

I was curious to see whether I got a decent price or not, as it was an impulse buy, so I browsed online, and was surprised by the disparity in prices of what appeared to be equivalent machines to each other as far as age, condition and accessories. Does anyone know why some machines are $500 and up, while others in seemingly excellent condition are $200 or less? (Mine cost $200, has a flawed finish, decent case, many attachments, and a manual that seems to be newer than the machine)

Betty

[Lilo B.]

I have just cleaned and oiled my "new" featherweight and sat down to sew a bit, but the tension is terrible! If I tighten it, the thread from the spool breaks. Help!

Patty

[Lilo B.]

Patty, I had a similar problem with my 'new' machine. After I replaced the needle, it sewed fine for a little bit, but then I noticed the tension wasn't right after a few inches. I tried everything, different threads, etc but it still wasn't right so I took it in to a professional. I found out that the problem was the bobbins that had come with the machine were not quite the right ones. They were a very tiny bit too wide, less than one millimeter, but otherwise they looked exactly the same as the correct ones.

After replacing the bobbins the tension problem was solved, and it really sang after a good cleaning and oiling. I went to a $5 class in my area to learn how to do that, and it wasn't hard at all. The manual tells you how to do it, but it was nice to have someone to show you and explain further.

Betty

[Lilo B.]

Patty, I just realized you have already cleaned and oiled your machine-I had done some of that on my own, but I did still learn a lot from the class. That was also where I realized that my machine needs to be set at a fairly low tension number to sew correctly, even with the new bobbins.

Maybe someone else will correct me on this, but in the past I have taken apart the entire tension assembly on a similar machine, and in my recollection, it is possible to reassemble it in such a way that the numbers may not reflect the actual tension...that is, '5' may not be the middle setting.

Betty

[Lilo B.]

Betty, thanks so much for this information. There are 6 or 8 bobbins that came with the machine - how can I know which one/ones are the right ones? Guess I should have a professional check it out. I would love to find a class in this area about featherweights!

Pat in rockport, TX sent me very detailed instructions on oiling and greasing the little machine which I followed carefully. That was a huge help for me and I will keep those instructions for future use.

I think I will try different bobbins and see if I can find the right one. I also changed threads with no improvement. I did take out the bobbin that was in the machine and tried a different one but that also made no difference.

Thanks again for your help

[Lilo B.]

Patty, I had noticed that when I was changing bobbins, trying to solve the problem, I often had trouble getting the case replaced securely. I didn't think much of it until the repair guy showed me that the bobbin was partially protruding out of the case, enough to see the thread a little. The correct bobbin fits almost flush inside the case, with just a sliver of the rim showing. I can't tell you the exact size of my bobbins, as I bought them without packaging from a Singer dealer, but they are about a quarter of an inch wide.

Betty

[Lilo B.]

Betty, I found the problem and now I have a beautiful seam! Apparently when I took the needle plate off to clean that area, I didn't make sure the bobbin case base was in the correct position. Once I adjusted that - perfect stitches!

I also changed the needle after you mentioned that helped your stitches. The one in the machine was a bit old

Thank you so much for your many good suggestions

[Lilo B.]

Also, I'm going to check all my bobbins to see if I can see that sliver of a rim past the bobbin case. That's a great tip! Thanks!!!

Patty

[Lilo B.]

Patty, you're so welcome-I had a feeling that it would be something simple. Happy sewing!

Betty

[Lilo B.]

How often should I oil my Featherweight? I've been happily sewing away on a couple of projects and wonder if it should be oiled more often than my Janome.

thanks,
Patty

[Lilo B.]

My sister has an old FW. Then a friend gave me a perfect condition in box with all the attachment FW. I donated to a special sale and they got over 400$ for it. After many years I wish I hadn't given that little machine away. I was at a yard sale and there was a FW with table in great condition for 20$ for everything. Now I have another machine. Just can't abandon a sewing machine that calls out to you.