Featherweight Fanatics List Archives
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Featherweight Fanatics
Digest of postings from Saturday, September 18, 1999
Welcome to all our new members!
To post a message - send it to: FWFanatics@ttsw.com
To post a message to the For sale list - sent it to: FWForSale@ttsw.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Subject: Great news for TSM Collectors
From: "Bob Campbell"
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 07:44:06 -0400
It's with a great deal of enthusiasm that I'd like to announce to the group,
my appointment as contributing editor of "Toy News" ... a new and regular
feature of ISMACS News, the quarterly print journal of the International
Sewing Machine Collectors' Society.
"Toy News" has been created to address the needs of a significant segment of
ISMACS' growing membership; namely toy sewing machine collectors. Much of
ISMACS' membership growth in the last few years is attributable in large
part to the impact that the Internet has had in bringing together people who
share the common interest of collecting sewing machines. That shared
interest is evidenced by the success of the three major Internet sewing
machine groups: Featherweight Fanatics, the ISMACS Digest and the
TSM Digest.
ISMACS News will dedicate at least six pages in each issue to "Toy News"
beginning with the October 1999 issue, which will be released in the next
few weeks in time for our October Gathering. Another exciting announcement
is that ISMACS News will go "COLOR" beginning with the January 2000 issue
... with 2 page sides being dedicated to "Toy News" ... you can be assured
that that first color issue of "Toy News" will feature some of the most
"colorful" toys I can find.
"Toy News" will include some regular features including "from the Editor's
Desk" (some calculated ramblings by yours truly on the state of the world of
TSM collecting) ... "letters to TN" (questions, comments and just plain talk
from TSM collectors everywhere) ... "featured Toys" (a major article on a
specific manufacturer or class of toy ... "some TSM Fun" (includes TSM
Crossword puzzles and TSM word jumbles) ... and "toys on the Net" (a report
of almost anything that would be of benefit to TSM collectors who surf the
Internet). In addition we'll periodically present interviews with fellow
enthusiasts in the "collectors' Corner" in the hopes of getting to know
other TSM lovers on a more personal level. As time passes "Toy News" will
of course evolve to fulfill the needs of all TSM collectors with the intent
of informing and sometimes entertaining you.
As always I'd like to thank you for sharing your hobby and I look forward to
the coming months with the hope of your continued support and participation.
Bob Campbell - Editor and Gatekeeper
TSM Digest - An online group of toy
sewing machine collectors
eMail tsmguide@erols.com
and
Campbell's Guide To Toy Sewing Machines
http://www.erols.com/quilts/index.htm
eMail quilts@erols.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 00:39:27 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re:White Featherweights - the facts
Just to let you Featherweight fans know that there's a warts-and-all
assessment of the white machines featuring in the lastest issue of ISMACS
News which will be published next week.
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
graham@ismacs.u-net.com
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 03:41:54 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 9/14/1999
To Frish who asked
>Hi everybody, I just heard that SIMANCO went bankrupted over this past =
>weekend.......does that mean that all our singer sewing machines will be =
>worth millions and millions?????????? :))
Yep, certainly -- the same way 8-track audio and BetaMax videos are now......
To Anne with Featherweight tension problems
Usually this is simply a poorly set or incorrect needle problem and nothing
to do with the tension
To Polly
Sounds like your bobbin case is a modern replacement part --- far better to
stick to original Singer item if you can.
Have seen at least four different replacement cases, one excellent, one
so-so and the other two very poor indeed.
Suggest you return yours to the supplier and ask for a replacement that
fits properly
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
graham@ismacs.u-net.com
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: "Barbara Lee Gates"
Subject: Houston Quilt Show
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 16:09:23 -0500
Hope that those of you who will be vendors in Houston next month will give
us a heads up that you are coming, and what your booth number is.... and any
real goodies you are bringing that we must grab up!
BJ (Barbara) in Palestine, Texas
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 07:21:12 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 9/15/1999
To Tracey/Nancy re bobbin winding on FWs
Sorry to disagree but there is nothing to loosen or tighten to lower and
raise the winder. It's set up with hardened steel shims and is designed to
simply be pushed up and down to engage with the outside of the belt.
To Shirley re noise from bobbin area on a FW
Will mail you a sketch and description of how to minimise this
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
graham@ismacs.u-net.com
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 14:06:26 -0700
From: Kathleen Scott
Subject: [Fwd: Singer/Pfaff...what will happen to the Pfaff dealers andowners?]
Feathered friends-- In case any of you are interested in conversations
regarding Singer/Pfaff, here is a response I got from Debbie Colgrove at
aboutsewing.com:
Debbie Colgrove wrote:
> At 10:05 PM 9/17/99 , you wrote:
>
>> Singer has no one to blame but Singer. They have not produced a good
>> product for 25 years, and their customer service is deplorable.
>> While my husband and I were stationed at Pearl Harbor HI, I
>> purchased a Singer serger on the military base. I needed some
>> instruction, so I went to the local Singer store in Honolulu, and
>> asked if I could sign up for some classes. They refused to let me
>> take the class there, because I had purchased the machine on the
>> base. I expected to pay for the class and told them so, but they
>> still would not let me sign up. I even called Singer's corporate
>> office on the mainland, and basically was told it was my tough
>> luck...the stores were individually owned and managed, and they
>> could do nothing to help me. I felt that even though I had purchased
>> the machine on the base, it was still purchased from Singer by the
>> military exchange system, and Singer should treat me as their
>> customer. Apparently not! Needless, to say, I never forgot their
>> attitude, and when the time came for me to spend big $$ on a fancy
>> machine, I did not even consider a Singer. And now I'm glad it
>> wasn't a Pfaff, either!
>> I'm a happy Viking owner. What will happen to the Pfaff dealers and
>> owners??
>
>
> HI
> I wish I could say that your story was something I have never heard
> before..... all too many of us have had nightmares. And yet you
> would not believe some of the major flack I have had over that
> feature... enough that I was almost ready to throw in the towel. I
> can't seem to make people understand that, they are not going to get
> the same machine or service as they did with a machine they purchased
> 22 years ago.. but at least I know by writing that feature they can
> not come back and say... "why didn't you warn us?".. I tried! LOL
> The on-line details about Singers acquisitor of Pfaff are a bit
> sketchy... the focus seems to be on the industrial machine division.
> If you remember way back when Singer gave up their industrial
> division, is right about the time that Singer started to slide in
> quality.. maybe the acquisitor of an industrial division will improve
> the quality.. so far, according to the poll.. it doesn't seem likely.
> As for Pfaffs home division.,. I don't know and Have not been able to
> find much on-line about it.. I would keep a very close eye on the
> sewing machine owners survey results... Pfaff has a vary large
> following in the quilting world... I can imagine a HUGE outcry if they
> decide to treat customers as Singer has... just my humble opinion but
> time will tell!
> What I am discovering .. with every machine comp[any out there... an
> "authorized Dealer" is the key to satisfaction. I am in the midst of
> helping someone right now who bought 2 Bernina machines from her local
> authorized dealer... the store was sold .. but the people seemed
> pleasant so she bought the software and scanner pkg through them.. it
> doesn't seem to work with her machines though.... and Bernina will not
> take it back... From what I have been able to find out.. it seems that
> the new shop owner may not have bought the "authorized dealership" as
> well as the store... which would leave the new owner in no man's land
> where Bernina is concerned. It is imperative that people learn about
> these loopholes in the systems. I am doing more investigating and you
> can bet your bottom dollar... as soon as I have enough information
> gathered.. there will be a feature on this issue. ... What I really
> want to know in all of it.. is.. If the companies will only stand
> behind their products.. why do they sell/distribute them any where
> else... including Military bases. .. seems to me that if they sell or
> distribute the product anywhere then they should stand behind it. I
> can't change the world .. BUT I can make people aware of these
> problems and fully intend to .. sooooooo stay tuned '~) As I can get
> the information.. I will keep the viewers informed.
> I'm sorry I didn't actually answer your question.. right now I don't
> have an answer.. but I am going to try and prevent any of my viewers
> from ending up in these messes by getting them as much information on
> the subject as I can.. that's a promise!
> DebbieDebbie ColgroveAbout.com Guide to
> Sewinghttp://sewing.about.commailto:sewing.guide@about.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 11:18:27 -0400
Subject: Morse manual
From: "mary richards"
Subject: The 319, and crossing the line
Hi, Feathers!
I've crossed the line. I am now a FANATIC! I got the 319 at the
Goodwill store. It's a tan Godzilla (or matte) finish 319w. That's the
GOOD news. The BAD news is, of course, that there was no bobbin or
bobbin case with the machine or stowed away someplace safe and of
course, no extra cams either. And it appears that the wiring may need
to be replaced as well. It's dirty, and the inside of the case needs a
little work, but I think I can cope with that. June said she's sending
me a xerox of the manual.
How much do those doggone bobbin cases cost? And what kind of bobbins
does a 319 take? Where can I find cams? This machine has taken me by
surprise, and at this point I really don't know what I'm going to do
with it--keep it, or sell it.
I was surprised by my reaction to this machine. It just kept crooning a
siren song to me--"take me hooooooome with you". Must admit it's kinda
cute with all those levers. I do at least have the foot control, though
it too probably needs new wires. Any and all information, whether sent
on the FWF list or privately, is deeply appreciated.
And my 301 hasn't yet arrived! Guess I really should tell my husband
about the 319...
May everybody find sewing machines great and cheap, and complete!
Linda from Oxford, OH
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: captndick@captndick.com
Subject: Great Find
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 08:49:27 -0700
Hi;
I know I'm a stranger here... too busy taking care of Treadle On to really
participate. However, I found a real dream machine today and thought I
would let a larger audience know about it (grin...)
I had gone out to purchase a super modern industrial machine ( a Pfaff 561
long arm needle feed) and was bringing it home when there was the sign...
"Estate Sale"... my van is well trained and turned right in. In the back
bedroom,
with both a price and a bid box by it, is a sewing machine... it is a
treadle... it is a Wheeler and Wilson #9... it has good decals (!)... it has
all it's attachments and original papers... it is a parlor cabinet... it is
a parlor cabinet with a combination mirrored and clear glass front... the
clear glass portion is a false bookcase front, backed by a phony set of
leather bound Complete Works of Washington Irving.... This is the neatest
parlor cabinet I have personally found yet. The heck with the bid box... I
pay full price and home it comes... I spent the afternoon cleaning and
treating with Howard's, and the machine is now the subject of a full set of
pictures on the Treadle On Bulletin Board at
http://www.captndick.com/BulletinBoard/SpecialPostings.htm
The only shortcoming I can see at the moment is that I got only one bobbin.
If anyone has a couple of spare W & W bobbins they would sell or trade,
please let me know...
Oh, yes... serial number is 2432559. I know there is no dating list, but
doesn anyone have a W & W with a confirmed purchase date that we could
perhaps extrapolate from?
Meantime... Dance, Dance, Dance.....
Tagline: What's all the fuss about digital pictures? I was painting
pictures with my digits in first grade...
Captn Dick
Email: captndick@captndick.com
Web Site: www.captndick.com
Address: 2631 NW 95th St.; Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: 206-784-0883
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 07:56:52 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics for 9/16/99
To Dixie who asked
>
>Is the Sew Handy machines made by Singer considered a toy machine? I
>thought it was just smaller than a full sized head.
You might be confusing it with the pre-Featherweight-type machine but this
wan;t sold by Singer.
The model 20 toy was renamed the SewHandy or Sewhandy in the 1950s/60s
To Tammy whose 221 leaks oil
There is no oil resovoir to leak -- the machine sounds like it has been
hopelessly over oiled.
No major problem. However suggest you remove the plate under the machine
and wipe all surplus oil away -- particularly from the wires which
otherwise can rot. Also I'd be scrubbing the felt pad on the underside of
the cover plate with water and detergen and , drying it out thoroughly so
that it will absorb any further drips.
For the other machine, locate the serial number and then phone or e-mail
Singer --- number at the foot of this digest.
To Cathy re noisy bobbin assembly.
Will mail you a sketch and instructions to minimise this.
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
graham@ismacs.u-net.com
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: "Bill Mitchell"
Subject: Spotted Good Buy On Featherweight
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 17:10:22 -0700
To All Feathers:
Especially the feathers within driving distance of San Diego and La Jolla. I
just spotted a very nice 221 Featherweight, black, with book and parts and
stuff. The decals are in excellent shape and the box looks nearly new. The
price was just reduced to $337.50. You can see it at Karen's Antique
Traditions at 5632 La Jolla, Blvd. In La Jolla.
Her phone number is 858-456-4045. I have no interest in the antique store
nor the machine. I know the owner and have done business with her. She is
honest and helpful.
Bill Mitchell in San Diego (La Jolla)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: TXBmrLdy@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 17:49:27 EDT
Subject: Fetherweight
Hi,
I'm considering a purchase of a singer featherweight machine. What should I
look for before making a purchase? I have found one that sews well, only a
little strange in the stitch after sewing 5 lines on doubled fabric. The gold
trim is worn. I'm just not sure what else I should be on the look out that
might make it a bad purchase.
I'd appreciate any information, thanks.
Suz
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 16:38:35 -0500
From: Kathleen
Subject: 15-91 help needed
After cleaning my new 15-91, I hear "something" down in the bobbin assembly area. So I removed the chunk the manual calls the shuttle. I rotate the hand wheel and notice when the needle comes down, the side of the needle jjjuuuusssttt touches the 1/2 circle silver cradle thing that's at the left end of one of the rods running underneath the machine. It doesn't look like I can adjust the needle bar or that rod w/cradle down below. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Kathleen in ND
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: "Robin Walston"
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 9/15/1999
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 18:28:42 -0500
Hi all,
I was in the Fourth Street Mercantile, Huntingburg, IN, again today and they
had a new old sewing machine that looked very nice. It is a Singer 127 or
128 in a cabinet. I say 127 or 128 because it had two manuals with it along
with a pristine green Singer box containing some attachments. I didn't get
it because I have no room for a machine in a cabinet. I even forgot to look
to see what the price was.
The Pfaff 130? that was there for quite a while was gone today. Hope it went
to a good home.
Robin, so. IN
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 15:20:41 -0700
From: Kathleen Scott
Subject: 1/4" Foot for 221
I refer you to: Little Foot Ltd at 505-345-7647
Info@littlefoot.net or
http://www.littlefoot.net
I saw a demo of the "new" Lttle Foot for the FW at the San Diego quilt
show. It has a wider left side, and feeds the fabric better than the
previous Little Foot. You can order from them, but be sure to tell them
you have a 221 and want the NEW one. Apparently the older one, which
works fine on other machines, did not work so well on the FW.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 15:11:11 -0700
From: Kathleen Scott
Subject: Fels Naptha Bar Soap
For all of you looking for Fels Naptha bars, if your local supermarket
does not carry it, they should have no trouble getting it for you. The
Dial Corporation (Dial soap) now owns and distributes Fels. If you
cannot find it in your area, call Dial's consumer number at
1-800-457-8739 and they should be able to help you. Maybe if we all
start asking for it again, the stores will begin stocking it.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
World Wide Quilting Page * Featherweight Fanatics Page