Featherweight Fanatics List Archives
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Featherweight Fanatics
Digest of postings from Wednesday, September 22, 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
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From: "Barbara Duckert"
Subject: Lurking
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 23:08:26 -0500
Just sent off my $12 and have been lurking and reading all the archives..not quite through them. I just had to have a featherweight after having one in the 50's and selling it back in the 70's for a fancier model. Now I have suddenly? acquired 2. Also found a bunch of attachments of the low shank kind including a hemstitcher without the right plate or directions..Any one have those out there? I'm anxious to see what it does. Also a tucker that I don't know how to use.
I discovered a product that some of you might want to try on the case. I happened to have a Turtle Wax black top and dashboard wax that really seems to rejuvenate the tired looking material on the case. You still have to pick off the paint specks, however.
Thanks for all the good tips and interesting reading and I would appreciate directions on how to use the hemstitcher and picoter.
Barbara in Wisconsin
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From: captndick@captndick.com
Subject: a kind of off topic call for possible help
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 12:05:36 -0700
Hi;
As some of you know, I am remodeling the basement... home of the sewing
machines, to accomodate additional interests... I have hit a snag in terms
of storage. Unless I start putting all the machines in "deep" storage in
another building across town, I have to get very inventive here...
If anyone in the Seattle area is currently remodeling, or knows of a friend,
etc. who is, and who might be replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets, please
let me know. The contractor generally destroys the counter tops, but
often the cabinet frames can be had for very little, or no money, if someone
will haul them away. I got one set that way several years ago. I stand
in need of 6' to 8' of floor cabinet and a similar run of overhead cabinet.
I realize this is a real long shot, but hey, you never know...
Also, if someone needs a very large, very heavy and solid workbench, I have
one looking for a home...
Thanks.
Tagline: You never really learn to swear until you disassemble a sewing
machine tension....
Captn Dick
Email: captndick@captndick.com
Web Site: www.captndick.com
Address: 2631 NW 95th St.; Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: 206-784-0883
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Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 11:47:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Sandy Urbanowicz
Subject: 201
Hi,
I could use some help. A local antique dealer has had a 201-3 in his shop
for ages. It is in a cabinet and stool. The manual and attachments are
also with it. The seat lifts off the stool for storage. The machine is in
excellent shape but the cabinet could use some work. I usually only look at
FW's and know nothing about the 201 but seem to remember various discussions
about it on the list. I'm sure most of the comments were favourable. He
wants $85 Canadian for it. Your comments would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Sandy
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Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 06:35:35 -0700
From: wilstjb
Subject: Country Living Article
Hi Feathers, If you havn't seen the Oct. Country Living magazine you
might want to read the article titled The Golden Thimble. It is a touching
story that unfolds the search of the family that originally owned the machine.
I have to admit I was angry when the article started out with the writer planning to tear apart the machine and use the cast iron as a table base : (
Luckily this machine has a happy ending. It is just nice to see a story about
these old wonderful machines, even if certainly not technical. An added treat for me was the photo showed a picture of the same first treadle head I owned.
(10th Christmas present from the folks) I still have that old machine and
although the cabinet was 'antiqued' it will always be my most special!
Hope all the folks in the flood areas are finding some improvements.
Happy Stitching! Taria
--
Please visit my webpage at:
http://host2.fptoday.com/highdesert
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From: lfrankel@pluto.njcc.com (Lois Frankel)
Subject: latest finds, wrinkled decals
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 02:33:12 -0400
Today DH came home from the thrift shop with 2 more machines:
A 2-tone 301 with the grasscloth case, a buttonholer, and the usual
attachments. The bed has some paint-loss on the edges that is pretty
noticeable, but after removing various threads & gunk from the bobbin
case base, it sews just great.
A very pretty 99 with an AA... serial #. The finish & decals were in the best
condition I've seen for a 99 of that vintage; most of the older ones I
find are *quite* well used. This one came with a dark bentwood case
(walnut?) in nice shape, and a knee-lever (my first lever!). The motor
was sluggish at first, but DH worked on it and it's fine now. The price
was a bit more than I usually pay for a 99, but for the condition, the
case & the lever, it was worth it.
A couple of weeks ago he found a redeye 66 back clamper (G9...) with a motor
but no cord. It may take over the treadle now occupied by another redeye
back-clamper with weaker decals. Not that theis one is perfect, though.
The paint is crazed and the decals are wrinkled in places. DH thinks
they were misapplied at the factory. What do others think: could this be
something that happened in the same way the paint got crazed? The finish
is also somewhat yellowed over the decals, and I'm pretty sure that
trying to do anything about it would be bad for the decals, so I'm
leaving that alone.
--
Lois Frankel http://pluto.njcc.com/~lfrankel
lfrankel@pluto.njcc.com (pix of cats, quilts, and antique sewing machines)
Any ideas you might think you find in this message are mine; any resemblance
to ideas of anyone else--real, imaginary, living, dead, employer, coworker,
friend, enemy, neighbor, spouse, pet, family member, insect, microorganism,
government, organization, extraterrestrial, or potted plant--is your fault!
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From: "Gayle Nikolaisen"
Subject: 301 Singer
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 19:59:55 -0600
I have an opportunity to purchase a 301 machine. Can anyone tell me if it was (is) a good machine? and way and what a fair price would be for one in good condition. Thanks, Gayle
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From: "Bill & Elizabeth Harris"
Subject: Magazine article
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 20:38:58 -0500
Dear Feathers, Have been lurking for several months. Read an article in
the October, 99, edition of Country Living magazine called The Golden
Needle, by Faith Andrews Bedford. It is about some treasures found in the
drawer of an old treadle. It features a photo of a beautiful old Singer
machine. The content of the article brought tears to my eyes. Thought
you all would enjoy the article. Every old machine has it's story. I wish
I knew the stories behind mine. Liz in Southeast MO
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From: RTowers206@aol.com
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 21:44:57 EDT
Subject: Cleaning up FWs
In a message dated 9/22/99 8:08:49 PM EST,
<< How should I clean the metal parts of the machine (throat plate, end plate,
etc.)?
What should I do to spruce up accessories (presser feet,
ruffler,buttonholer,
etc.)? >>
To Mededith - who asks the above:
Just took Nancy and Bill's FW care workshop and they recommended the
following: Remove faceplate, throat plate, bobbin case, presser foot, etc.
Spray with WD-40 allowing to penetrate a few minutes. Then wipe all that
built up grime off using blue shoppe towels. Am sure you could do the same
with all your FW attachments. Once your accessories are all cleaned up, oil
and lube your FW per owner's manual.
Diane in Montana
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From: mima@ulster.net
Subject: Fiatelli Sewing Machine
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 08:17:27 -0400
I recently spotted a Fiatelli, green sewing machine at my local thrift. I
was wondering if anybody knew anything about this brand. It had been heavily
oiled and I am sure will need a cleaning. Mot being as talented as all of
you, I will need to bring it to my wonderful repairman for a cost of at
least 40$ to clean. The price of the machine is 20$ and I dont know if it is
worth it.
Thanks for any help you can give this new colllector.
Judy
mima@ulster.net
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Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 11:40:48 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics for 9/20/1999
To Chris et al
OK, gotta ask ---- what's a "fat quarter"?
To Sue re 1933 66 manual
Closest I can get is 1930 --- remember the book was not produced every year
-- only when there was a major machine modification or a reprint was needed.
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
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From: "Julia McPheeters"
To: "FW Fanatics"
Subject: Re: Featherweight State Blocks
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 22:31:23 -0500
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I do want to thank everyone who made a block or blocks for the challenge. I
have never won much in my life. In fact went to Paducah, Ky on a bus with a
bunch of other ladies and didn't even win at bingo. Does that tell you what my
luck is like? I have not worked on the quilt yet. Have been playing with
designs in my head.
My husband retired this year and we are taking numerous trips around the
country. Have been through 8 state and Canada since June 1. Two states we have been to more that once as MIL and DS live in them.
I am also the person who takes entries for our local quilt show. We have 99
quilts, 20 baby quilts, and 37 wall hangings entered in this year's show. I
have printed information sheets for each item entered. I also have to be sure
that each quilt gets back to its original owner. That means that the month of
September has been working on the quilt show. It is being held Sept 25-26 at
the Paola Middle School in Paola, KS for those who are close enough to come
visit.
Hopefully when we get back from our next trip, I will have a little time to at
least get the top pieced. I prefer hand quilting to machine quilting and know
that will take me awhile. I have a nine-patch that my husband's grandmother
pieced the blocks for that I am quilting now. Also have a queen size Double
Wedding Ring pieced and in the waiting room.
Again, thanks to all who participated and to Sue's son who drew my name.
Julia south of Kansas City, Kansas
p3bandj@earthlink.net
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Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 18:40:03 -0400
From: bmeers@bellsouth.net
Subject: Glenn Williams and Case Repairs
This note is to publicly thank Glenn Williams for service beyond the
call of duty! Several months ago, I ordered new hinges for my
Featherweight case from Glenn. When I ordered them, he offered to
install them for free. But I thought how difficult could that be and
opted not to go to the trouble of mailing the case to Glenn.
Well, I took it to a local repairman and he didn't want to bother with
it. My husband is ill and can no longer "rescue" me. So I finally
asked my son to mail the case to Glenn, along with the hinges I had
bought from him.
Glenn promptly replaced the hinges, doing a first class job (it requires
removing and replacing the case's lining). Then he cleaned up the case
and sent it right back to me. It looks great and works beautifully.
Glenn, I will at least mail you your postage and think of a way to thank
you. Thanks so much.
Betty Meers, Jacksonville
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