Saturday, October 15, 2011

A Treat for Myself

(note:  If you are looking for my giveaway click here. )


Mail came today and it was a delight.  I have spent some time sorting it out, but just look what I got:
Singer Featherweight 221 - circa 1949


A week or so ago on eBay, I saw this baby with only one bid and a few hours left to go.  The price was LOW, I decided to bid and hope.  Honestly I didn't think I had a chance.  Apparently the stars were aligned just right. There were no more bids that night -and I completely forgot about even bidding.  Early the next morning as I was checking email, I saw "you won" from eBay.  Surely not!  So I checked and I had really won.  I paid quickly.  I have never paid so much for shipping on anything, but this time I felt it was worth it. 
After getting the machine set up, I tried stitching.  There was a learning curve to threading the machine.  I did it wrong a few times.  Ha ha.  Then I read that you thread the needle right to left.  Bingo.  I got the tension adjusted easily and just look at those perfect stitches:


I used a purple top thread and a cream thread in the bobbin so I could see if the tension was just right.  It is!  I have read that this little antique machine is perfect for piecing.  I am sure I will be trying it soon.  But for now, I have to cook supper and I do have a quilt to finish quilting on my modern sewing machine..

Have you ever sewn on an antique machine?

23 comments:

Donna said...

Way to go! Your new baby is lovely.

Christina said...

Congratulations! A featherweight is in my someday list, due to my deep abiding love for vintage singers!

Pat said...

HA...my mother had a Singer that was older than that and I did sew on it a little as a youngster. Sure do wish that machine was still in the family....I have no clue what happened to it. :( Good luck with your new old machine!!!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Oh Gene...I'm so excited for you an you know I love a low price!!!

I needed help when I first took mine out of the case. I needed help threading it and the needle was in but facing forward and not sideways.

I got to stitch on mine today...perpare yourself Gene....like...go to the bathroom, get a drink, change into your pj's....cuz once you start....you won't want to stop :)

Hugs,
Kelly

Tangos Treasures said...

Yay for you!!! I so love mine!!!

Nancy said...

Good for you. Don't you just love ebay!

Kathleen said...

Oh my, that is a beauty..I have never sewed on one of those but my mother was a beautiful seamstress and she only owned Singer's....growing up I thought Singer was the only sewing machine...have fun....

Pat said...

Gene, she is beautiful! Go to the Singer website, type in your serial number & then print out a lovely certificate for you and your new baby. Do some googling as well and see if you can find an aftermarket 1/4" foot with the little fence on the side. I love mine -- keeps my seams nice and straight.

Lindi said...

I have a Singer Featherweight 221k (1950 - made in Scotland) and I love it, Gene. Not only does she look beautiful, she sews beautifully, too. You know you have to give her a name, don't you? ( Fia is the name I chose)

Sarah said...

What a cute machine! I have a big black antique singer I got from ebay but have never used it. I bought it because it can sew through thick layers or leather.

Jocelyn said...

Wow! Great score!! I have a 1940 Featherweight that I love. One thing I learned is the foot that is on the machine is not 1/4" (I think it is probably 1/8") so I bought a 1/4" foot with a guide and it sews beautifully.

Unknown said...

love it, I have a Singer Spartan, sews good......don't you have a serger, what kind? I'm looking at one for Christmas.

Vesuviusmama said...

Oh wow, what a gem! So, do you name your machines? If so, who will this one be?

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations on your ebay win! She is a beauty!!!

Barb said...

SCORE!!! I just love it Gene and those stitches are just awesome...lucky you...so how many machines does this make you now??? HA!!

Pokey said...

congratulations, I'm happy for you, Gene! It is so cool, and I somehow feel connected to the people who used it before me. I wonder if they loved the machine as much as we do?
:-}pokey

Royce said...

oh congrats! It's a sweet machine. I've not sewn on mine yet but plan on using is to do a good bit of piecing. I know you will be very happy with it. If you find a good place to order feet let me know I'd like to get a 1/4" foot for mine. So glad you won that bid.

Patty said...

You'll enjoy your feather weight, I love mine. It's great to take with you in retreats or traveling.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Congratulations on your win/purchase!!!! I'm sure you are going to have loads of fun with it.

Melissa ;-) said...

I have never used one, Gene, but like you I have heard great things about those little Featherweights. Is really light as a feather?

GerryART said...

I have two Featherweights
a 1948 and a 1953
however, at my age I would not think these as 'antique' :*)
Gene, you are going to love this little work horse.
hugs
Gerry

JJ said...

I love that little machine. My mother in law has one and has promised me that I can have it one day. I can hardly wait.

The Mancavequilter said...

I too got my Featherweight off Ebay. For two years I kept losing to the highest bidder! Finally my partner asked me what I wanted for a Valentine's gift(2013), I replied, "A Singer Featherweight" and like that he told me to pick one out and he bought it! The time I could've saved just my making my request known, LOL! At anyrate, I'm sure you enjoy your machine(as I do mine) I named her Ms. Bobbins . . .she sews beautifully! She is that cream/green color w/matching case, manual and the extras! I laughed about you having a struggle with threading yours -I did too! But, I fig'd it out and have been addicted since! *can't wait to get another one!) Wish me luck with that!