SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT 221 AND BIG BROTHER 301

[Margo]

Are any of you still using the singer featherweight 221 or the singer 301?
I do and still find it has the most beautiful stitch of any other machine.
And, if you put a darning foot on the machine you can do free motion quilting.
They are lovely, classic sewing machines.
And sort of restful after using a sewing computer!!

[idaho]

Hi! Can you describe the darning foot for the 221 ...I have only the reg. foot and a 1/4 in. foot
would like to try free-motion with little Betsy! Thanks.

[idaho]

It's just a low-shank darning foot. About $6
To be sure I'd suggest taking one of your FW feet to the store with you, to verify how it attaches.

[idaho]

I am a new owner of a featherweight 221- have only used it a little so far. I have friends who bring them to retreats all the time!

[luvquilting]

I LOVE my FW!!! I totally agree...stitches better than any other machine! I just today rec'd a walking foot and cording foot I ordered for it; can't wait to try them out! It is wonderful to travel with, as well as sewing at home. Nancy

[bar7700]

Idaho.... Go here for a darning foot!
http://www.221parts.com/

[idaho]

Thanks ! for the link...will shop !!

[idaho]

They are wonderful traveling machines. I keep one at my sister's in Pennsylvania so I can piece when I visit from Alabama!
I love how easy they are to maintain. You can do 99% of the work yourself, with the book by David McCallum, "The Featherweight 221 and I".
And, if you look at pictures on my profile you will see what happens if you renovate one of the featherweight cases. Under that black leatherette fabric is a smooth wood that you can refinish.

[Margo]

OHMYGOSH!! Vicki, your cases are gorgeous! I had no idea they could be that beautiful, and have a feeling that mine is going to be stripped really soon! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Margo]

Vicki--I use my DH's tool box that he used at work for 40 yrs. He refinished it and it is beautiful. I put all my notions and little sewing things in it but I new thought about putting my thread in the top part--thanks--now I just have to have a place where I can get to it easily.

[Margo]

Ritzy - we must store our vintage machines in an appropriate case! It enhances the featherweight experience!!

[LadybugQuilter]

I received my Featherweight for Mother's Day 2010 and have used it a few times and love it! I took a maintenance class at my LQS (Eddie's in Sunnyvale CA) and it helped me with the oiling/lubing and general working knowledge so I'm not so intimidated by it. I agree with all of you regarding the stitching, it is beautiful! I love your cases!

[LadybugQuilter]

I love my FW (bought her, b/c her name was Florence!) but hadn't thought of doing free motion on it-- and those cases are beautiful!

BUT... check out what I found today at Tuesday Morning... couldn't resist!
A bit hard to see, upper right, "for age 6 and up" so I qualify!!
Put the scissors in for scale

[she-quilts]

They are wonderful traveling machines. I keep one at my sister's in Pennsylvania so I can piece when I visit from Alabama!
I love how easy they are to maintain. You can do 99% of the work yourself, with the book by David McCallum, "The Featherweight 221 and I".
And, if you look at pictures on my profile you will see what happens if you renovate one of the featherweight cases. Under that black leatherette fabric is a smooth wood that you can refinish.

I only had read about putting on new fabric. These are beautiful!! I have the 221 & me book and want my dh to fix my 2 machines up. However, we redid the basement this past winter so I may have to wait until after harvest to get him working on the machines. He thought it would be fun.

Your cases are beautiful! Thanks for telling us about this!

[she-quilts]

I love my FW (bought her, b/c her name was Florence!) but hadn't thought of doing free motion on it-- and those cases are beautiful!

BUT... check out what I found today at Tuesday Morning... couldn't resist!
A bit hard to see, upper right, "for age 6 and up" so I qualify!!
Put the scissors in for scale

I want one! 8)
but only if the sewing is as good as the larger one, I bought a small battery sewing machine for fun and to see if it was any good, on the box it said 'Sew like a Professional' - well I am a professional, but I couldn't get the darned**** nusiance to sew a decent seam for love nor money :evil: It is no longer taking up valuable stash space in this house!