:: The Featherweight ::

I thought for a few minutes about what to title this post... The Cutest Machine Ever, Me and My Featherweight, How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways, The Only Sewing Machine I'll Ever Want For the Rest of My Life... finally I just went with The Featherweight.

I got my little 1964 "Pale Turquoise" ( aka white, sometimes celery) 221K Singer Featherweight over the summer. I've been wanting to share about her here since then but haven't been able to get the greatest pictures. I thought I'd share what I have anyway so please forgive the color variances.

I had wanted a Featherweight for years and the first time I saw a white FW was in Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing book in 2009. I fell in love. It's taken some time for everything to work just right to be able to get one i.e. money, the right machine, agreeable hubby, etc. I am so glad it finally did!!!

I "researched" these machines for a couple of years. Meaning every time it seemed like I might be able to get one I'd read all I could about them and what to look for when buying one. I searched google, ebay, craigslist and etsy. I saw one on ebay over the summer that was in great condition. It had all of the attachment, manual and case. I bid on that one and lost at the last minute. I had a max. bid and was not going to go over it. Now, I have purchased fabric from ebay using the buy now option but I have never bid on anything. Using the max bid option was a good idea to keep from going over your limit. Needless to say I was pretty bummed out.

I thought I'd lost my chance for sure. But my husband is full of surprises!!! We found my machine shortly after (still on ebay). She was beautiful. The only scratches she had were on the motor casing. She came with a case but no extra attachments nor a manual. I was fine with that. The manual can be download free on-line and a few attachments I have for my 99K fit her (I have free-motion quilted with her already ♥). She went for much less than the first one I had bid on which made me (and my husband) very happy!

I really am very happy with this little machine. Although, I do have her case I had to dress her up with a cute cover! I found the free pattern for this featherweight tote HERE.

The machine fits perfectly into the tote and then fits perfectly into the machine's hard case. It's a fun and pretty way to protect it from scratches and wear & tear.

I'd like to share some tips and resources I've come across that have been helpful both in selection and maintenance of my machine. I have to get a some better pictures with the case also. Maybe some up close pictures of the machines parts. I hope that's not too boring for some of you. It's just that I found posts like that so helpful for reference when learning about these machines. So I'm not sure if it will be my next post but soon I will have an informative FW post.

Another thing I want to mention while I'm here is I am not getting many of my blog comment notifications anymore so I'll be checking in here and answering questions and replying in the comments. Plus I think that answering questions openly like that benefit other readers. If you need or want to talk with me privately feel free to continue to email. Thanks!

Happy Sewing!
xo Erin


ETA: I made a flickr group to celebrate the Singer Featherweight! If you want to add a picture of your machine go HERE!!!