Featherweight Fanatics Archives
2004
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http://www.FeatherWeightFanatics.com/fwf
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Featherweight Fanatics A Service of Sue Traudt's Valley Brook Botanicals
Digest of postings from Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Welcome to all our new members!
To post a message - send it to: FWFanatics@ttsw.com
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From: "Dennis and Stephanie Pickin"
Subject: RE: FW Fanatics 2/24/2004
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 20:50:53 -0800
Bill D. in soggy Southern California
"Why would you want another of those little sewing machines?"
Because it is there for your pleasure of possession.
I like each one of my machines quite alot. I see more machines that I like
and sometimes I buy them and bring them home. I am "not allowed" to acquire
more until after our daughter's wedding. Then, when she moves I will have
more space. Wedding is November this year!
Stephanie, also in soggy Southern California
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From: PATBERGMAN@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 20:59:39 EST
Subject: The Butcher and the Sewing Machine
Well, I have a story to tell you, brought to mind by a man who collects
Featherweights, who claims his wife does not sew.
In the early 1950's I was married to a man who loved to bowl, and had a
group of friends that loved to bowl also, so we were our own "league." One of the
couples who were in our group was a returned veteran, a butcher by trade, and
his wife, who like most wives of that era, was a stay at home Mom. Now, I
must describe this Army veteran as the size of a small house, and muscles on top
of his muscles. He could throw a side of beef around like a hamburger patty.
His wife a petite size 12.
One night this couple came into the bowling alley, and he was wearing one of
those (in)famous leisure jackets that was all the rage at the time. Since
this gentleman usually was anything but the latest in fashion, we all made
appropriate sounds of approval.
Later, after bowling when we were all seated in the coffee shop, the story
came out about the leisure jacket. Al, stood up, put on the jacket, and walked
around like a model would, then he took it off, draped it over the back of his
chair, and then, being very dramatic said, "I am glad you all like my new
jacket, because I made it myself!"
At the sight of eight people with their mouths open, he continued, He pointed
to his wife, and said, "After months of hearing my wife telling me how much
she needed, wanted, longed for, a sewing machine, I finally broke down and
bought her one that does every thing but tap dance for more money than I wanted
to spend. I bought it and I waited for this machine to produce something, a
dress for my wife or daughter, a shirt for my Son or me, something for the
house, but nothing appeared. When I finally asked my wife why this wonder machine
just sat there, unused, she tells me that as a man I just would not
understand, so I tell her, "Try me and see if I understand" so she tells me the
machine is far to complicated for any one to understand how to operate it.
Now, the thought of my spending all that money for something to just sit
around and collect dust got me to thinking. Had a machine ever gotten the best of
me? No.
The nest day I went to the fabric store and bought a pattern and the fabric
for a leisure jacket. Hell, if I can cut up a cow, I can cut up a pattern and
fabric. I came home, took the manual, cut out the pattern and started to sew
following the instructions in the pattern (side note: patterns used to give
complete instructions on how to cut, sew, and assemble a garment) I made this
jacket. I like it and I'm glad you do too."
We all tried to make encouraging noises, not really knowing what to say.
Al's wife sort of sunk back into the upholstery, with a funny smile on her face,
I took it to mean she was embarrassed.
I don't know what happened to that sewing machine, but I did learn
something's very valuable, Never under estimate a person's ability to do something if
they make up their mind they want to do it, and Nothing ventured, nothing
gained.
PatBergman
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 19:18:23 -0600
From: "M.D.Anderson"
Subject: RE: FWF 2/23/2004 (TX history - way, way OT)
Bill said: "...Texas was had it's independence, but was not the only
state to do so..." and "...I think I was taught that
Oklahoma, Kansas and probably Wyoming were acquired through the
Louisiana Purchase..."
Hi All -
Not to clog up the list w/dull, boring, Texas history, I've replied to
Bill privately. If anyone else is curious, you can find a quick, easy to
read synopsis of Texas history here
http://texas-on-line.com/graphic/history.htm
Scroll down to the Shape of the State section for the Readers Digest
version.
Louisiana Purchase:
Map http://gatewayno.com/history/LaPurchase.html
Texas was much larger than it is today, and being part of Mexico, was
not involved in the sale by Napoleon to Jefferson.
Hawaii was its own kingdom, with a monarch. Texas was a Republic. We'll
call that one a draw.
Have a good one -
Diane in Texas
tomballtexas@direcway.com
http://www.cabinquilter.com
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/cabin-quilter/
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 15:52:27 -0800
From: barb baker
Subject: Case for White FW
Hi Sharon,
I have a White FW FA122698. The case I have for mine is the same as shown on
Page 212 of Nancy Johnson-Srebro's Third Edition Featherweight Book. My case is
blue not turquoise but everything else is exactly the same. My machine
originally came from Ontario, Canada. Until I saw the picture in Nancy's book, I
didn't know that the case I have is original. In fact, when I saw the case I was
disappointed because I didn't think there would be a Featherweight inside.
Apparently, from reading Nancy's book, this case was only available in Canada.
Barb
in Sunny and getting warmer, Kamloops, B.C.
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From: Birdlegs03@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 18:06:29 EST
Subject: serial numbers
I have a question: Does each FW have a unique serial number, or does one
number cover a batch of machines?
I enjoyed these "Rules for fixing sewing machines" from Ray White's site, and
thought I'd share with others:
1. Locate where the problem is before opening the tool box.
2. When you say, "I can fix this", open the tool box.
3. Don't dismantle more than necessary to make repairs.
4. Stop before you get that feeling "I'm not sure I can reassemble this" and
put it back together NOW.
5.If you're not confident you can fix it, ask for advice, or take it to an
expert.
6. Use proper tools.
Mindy in Maryland
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From: "Elizabeth Wright"
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 2/24/2004
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:06:23 -0600
A note to Becky re: the tan and celery featherweight..... The
celery/white FW is the only 221 that has a short bed... the tan bed is
identical in 99.8% to the Black post war 221's that were made....
including the detachable foot control.....
The cases for the tan FW are beige and tan with stitching on top... The
white/celery FW foot control is not detachable unless it has been
modified... Am I not correct on that Graham, Ed, Glenn, etc....?
Elizabeth
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From: "Steve Ward"
Subject: featherweight stuff
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:43:39 -0500
"Featherweight" in cabinet
A Featherweight in a cabinet with a knee control? I don't think so.
Probably a 15 or 201.
Buying a Featherweight......recomendations
I don't recommend buying a Featherweight without a carrying case unless
it's just dirt cheap. It negatively affects the future value too much.
Just an opinion.
By the way, I had to re-read the "Hus #1, afraid to take out for fear of
damage" The first time through, I thought it was short for Husband.
Fits, doesn't it?
Buttonholer plate screws
I have a good many buttonholers with the cover plate AND BOTH screws.
I'm not aware of a good substitute, and it's really easy to strip the
threads in the machine basewith the wrong screw. Some have questioned
why we sell these accessories for so much more than they are commonly
seen on eBay. One reason is that a merchant's products will have ALL the
correct parts included, and be oiled and checked for correct operation
as well. A $10.00 attachment may or may not be a good deal.
301 Darning foot
I have a couple of later model and aftermarket darning feet that will
fit the 301A.
French 221 Book
I have aquired a vintage 221 instruction book that happens to be printed
in French, if anyone would be interested.
sewingdoc
Our eBay handle "sewingdoc" is typed as one word, if you are searching
Google. Our website www.vintagesingersewing.com is almost ready to
launch in a minimal way.
We will have a good selection of used vintage Singers, as well as Touch
& Sew, Athena, Futura, Stylist, Slantomatic, etc. parts.
Steve Ward
sewingdoc
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From: PATBERGMAN@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 13:07:00 EST
Subject: Why would you want another of those little sewing machines?"
Dear Bill D.
For the same reason many of us do, "Because I admire the truly fine
workmanship of these machines."
PatBergman
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From: "Barbara Lee Gates"
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 2/24/2004
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:02:42 -0600
> From: "Franchesca"
> Subject: Help!!!!! I found a spectacular beauty today and need info!
> Today I bought a FW at the Salvation Army. I knew that it was encased
> in a solid mahogany table but had NO idea that the 'pedal' was up
inside
> and is operated by a knee lever.
---snip---
> Is there any additional information you can give me so I can put it
in my e-bay add?
> I am not sure of the model. Did they only produce 221's?
May I gently suggest that you do a lot more homework before you list
this machine on ebay. I will tell you that if it is not a 221 or 222 it
is not a Featherweight. And if it is in a cabinet, it is not one of
those.
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> From: Becky Sunderman
> Subject: FW table
> I don't know if Singer made a table for the celery, or the tan FW,
both
> of which have shorter flip up beds.
Sorry Becky.... probably too early in the AM but the tan FW has a
full size extension bed just like the black ones.
BJ(Barbara) between Palestine and Athens..... Texas, that is.
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:41:31 -0500
From: "Chris P. Vagtborg" <71155.1072@compuserve.com>
Subject: post
Hi All...
Re: GOJO - Glenn S. wrote about GOJO - make sure you
purchase the CREAM version!!! the stuff with pumice
in it will take the paint off...
Re: Tacony - Gerald asked about their web site and phone
number: www.tacony.com or 800-482-2669
Chris @ Stepping Stones Quilts, selling Featherweights,
parts, and accessories on the 'net since 1995.
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From: "Juell"
Subject: Free Motion Quilting Foot
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 08:36:26 -0800
To Janet in Bend, OR, re her question of 2/24 in regard to where she can
find a free motion quilting foot - one place to try is Little Foot Ltd.
at www.littlefoot.net/ Their Singer Slant BigFoot might be just what
you're looking for. I can't speak from experience as I don't own one,
but I did purchase one of their LittleFoot 1/4 inch seam feet for my FW,
and I like it a whole bunch.
Mary in Fiddletown, CA, where some wickedly intense wind and rain is
wreaking havoc on northern California today.
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From: Kimkwilts@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 11:31:50 EST
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 2/24/2004
To ladyfrankie, hello are you thinking of selling her ? are you going to sell
her on the FW finatics site? Do you have an asking price ? I may be
interested, thank you, kimkwilts@aol.com
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Subject: Answer to wife's question
From: "Jonna Osborne"
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 10:29:58 -0600
"It's a good investment!" (Think that would work?)
What is your wife's hobby, interest, or passion? Maybe you could create
some analogy about that. I once told my boyfriend (who could not
understand why I would wax so ecstatic about my FWs) to look at my sewing
machines like he looked at his cars - as finely tuned machines that are a
thing of beauty when they work so well. He had not ever thought to make
that kind of comparison. He just thought my sewing paraphernalia and
machines were only "girl stuff." He restored vintage Volkswagens and
could spend hours on end looking at parts catalogs and ordering new stuff
for them. I tried to show him that his hobby was comparable to mine
because I had my own catalogs and "wish lists" of sewing machine "stuff" I
wanted, and "new" machines to add to the collection. Also, when I showed
him the inner workings of the machines and how they hummed along so well,
he had a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship and the quality of the
machinery. That old "They sure don't build things like they used to!"
argument seemed to go a long way with him for some reason.
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From: HeartsDel@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 11:14:23 EST
Subject: Lonely FWs
> "Why would you want another of those little sewing machines?"
>
I'd answer, "To keep the first one(s) company of course! "
Pat C. in Oregon
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 07:49:06 -0800
From: James Sorrell
Subject: FW tables
Hello All
Becky Sunderman asked if Singer made tables for the tan and white
Featherweights. The tan was in Singer line the year I went to work for
them and we didnt have the table to offer to our customers.
They were also not available for the white ones.
As ever
Jim Sorrell
Chico, Ca.
www.sew-rite.com
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 09:59:48 -0500
Subject: free motion on a 301
From: Ann Lamb
A couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to be able to free motion quilt on
my 301. I purchased a Big Foot for a Singer Slant needle machine. It did
not work on my two tan 301s but it did work on the black 301. I think it
might have something to do with the thread cutter that is on the needle bar.
I have had trouble using a walking foot on these machines too. It would sew
in circles but on FWF someone mentioned that if you had trouble to check if
the thread cutter was interferring with the foot. I need to go back to the
tan machines and check this with the Big Foot.
I found a Singer Darning and Embroidery Attachment in an Antique Store last
year. It works on my 201 along with the FW (it has a plate that covers the
feed dogs). It is really a classy attachment, much better than the plastic
Big Food. The number is Singer 160720, for 66,99, and 201 class machines.
I wish I could get the Singer darning foot for the 301.
Ann Lamb, who has survived the first winter in NH. Not bad at all,
considering we spent 30 years in Colorado.
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From: "Frish"
Subject: auction
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 09:42:12 -0500
Hi everybody, I haven't posted in a while. I went to an auction yesterday
and out in the field was a FW box looked pretty worn. I opened it and never
saw a FW in this bad of condition, I couldn't believe it, I called my mother
over to look at it. It looked like it was in a fire then someone beat the
heck out of it with a sledge hammer, if I said it was a bit rough that would
be way to kind......................OK can you believe it sold for
75.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it!!!!!!!!! I got a box of
vintage silk floss all kinds of colors and an antique blackboard for my
kitchen so I can remember things,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no machines this
week.....frish in south jersey
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Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:40:23 +0000
From: Graham Forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 2/24/2004
To Franchesca who wrote
>Today I bought a FW at the Salvation Army. I knew that it was encased
>in a solid mahogany table but had NO idea that the 'pedal' was up inside
>and is operated by a knee lever.
You sure this is a Featherweight - check pictures here
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/sales-pages/Standard_main.html
and come back with the serial number
dutchrose said
> i think white/celery lets people
>i'm writing to know that i am aware that there is a difference in color
>even between machines.
A while back I was running a class with three white/green machines.
One was near a window, one directly under a florescent lamp and the
other a little in the shade.
Folk commented about how different the colors were. I then shifted
all three to the same position and, of course, they were identical.
The problem with folk inventing new terms is that I finish up with
potential customers writing to me asking if I've one of the "rare
celery models rather than the common white/green machines"
To Becky who asked
>I don't know if Singer made a table for the celery, or the tan FW, both
>of which have shorter flip up beds. It will be interesting to find out
>if Singer did, in fact, make a table for these models.
Not for the tan nor the white/green. They might have made a vegetable
rack for celery but I'm not sure. (G)
Daniel wrote
>The term "celery" was coined by Nancy Johnson-Srebro in _Featherweight 221:
>The Perfect Portable_. In Chapter 5, she says,
>
> I've had a suggestion that we Featherweight owners band together
> to re-name the lightest green colour - 'barely celery.' That's
> what it is! This would avoid a lot of confusion and wasted
> efforts by collectors searching for the rumoured green (and I
> mean /green/) 221 machines that just don't exist!
Oh dear ---- "the lightest green color" suggests that there were
other shades.....here we go again.
..
To Joan who wrote
>I am a seasoned quilter, and want to have a wonderful FW machine to take to
>classes, sew on, and show off (!).
>
>I am going to purchase one of the following three FW's:
>
>1950- Has key to case and manual.
>
>1952- Has original accessories and manual.
>
>1939- Has scroll face and chrome wheel.
>All machines are in excellent condition- no
>original cases.
It's worth bearing in mind that any Featherweight properly serviced
and adjusted will sew as well as the next one. Your decision should
be based solely on cosmetic appearance and price. Lack of an original
case would make a big difference to value.
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.singer-featherweight.com
Bert's Vintage Repair Book Book:
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/bert/bert.html
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