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, January 14, 2004 

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
To pay dues  http://ttsw.com/JoinLists.html
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From: Lynndea1@aol.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 17:35:25 EST
Subject: re:  info on walking foot


I want to thank all the wonderful people who replied to my question about  
the walking foot and 1/4 foot.  I have another question.  What are  people's 
opinon about converting the 222k to 110 volt.  Will it lessen the  value of the 
machine?  Lynn

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From: "Diana Swihart" 
Subject: active-
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 17:27:36 -0600

Hi I have been reading your old archives and notice there are no recent 
ones..is this list still active?I was wondering about a book I see 
mentioned in many of the posts-by "NancY"..or is there a new book out on 
FW's ,Diana


--------

We're working on posting the missing archive this winter. 

Eric

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From: Joyzquilter@aol.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:32:27 EST
Subject: Post

Thanks Grahamfor the advice  on getting the plate up.  I don't know how to 
remove the extension table though.  Will look at it and try to figure it out.  I 
was trying to be so careful and didn't want to damage the feed dogs or 
scratch the finish.
Joy

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From: "Gayle DeForest" 
Subject: Ruth's workshop
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:39:14 -0800

I already wrote about Ruth B. McDowell's workshop in Redding this 
weekend, but I neglected to mention meeting Barbara from Cottonwood!! 
When I read her post this morning I just had to let you guys know we two 
"feathers" sat next to each other, me with my white FW, she with her 
black, and the rest of the room was ablaze with electronic whizbangs 
from Berninas to Pfaffs! =20

The Pfaff used by Ruth for demonstrating her techniques was a very nice 
machine, of course.  Automatic "needle stop down" button, built-in 
walking foot, etc.  I came home and decided to go look at a Pfaff, just 
for fun, and went to Boyd's here in Chico--no dice.  They seem to 
specialize in Janome.  By the way, from research I did on the net, it 
appears Elna has been bought out by Janome!  Is that true?  And when did 
this happen?  I am sad to know this, as I have an affinity for Elna, my 
workhorse in the 60's and 70's!  It seems whenever a company buys out 
another company they immediately stop any progress on products of the 
acquired company, and pretty soon it is lost forever.

Anyway, I asked Linda Ballard and she said Cathy's (in Chico) carries 
Pfaff so maybe I will go over there, just to sew on a new machine or two 
for a change!
Gayle Chico, CA

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From: Gypcdrmr2@aol.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:14:35 EST
Subject: OSMG In Salisbury

Hi Fluffies,
Yes Penny it is Bob Driscoll. What a nice guy! I was in awe of his 
collection. Would recommend him to any FWFanatic.
Next time I come down I will let you know, e-mail me with contact number. I 
think we have met before at JoAnns in Dover.
Jacque in Delaware where it is going to snow!!!!!!!

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From: "BD" 
Subject: Stitch length adjuster
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:02:11 -0600

Hi everyone:
I know this problem was discussed sometime ago, but can't find the post 
now that I have the problem. The stitch length selector can not be 
tightened down on my 185. As I sew it continues to move up to the top 
until it won't sew, so something or other must be loose behind it. Is 
this something that i can fix myself?  Thanks for all the information 
and help that is always found on this list.
Barbara D in Wisconsin

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From: "Aaron & Barbara Daniels" 
Subject: Ruth McDowell Workshop
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 08:48:44 -0800

Greetings & Happy New Year to all:

What a wonderful way to start a new year - a quilting class with the
quilt-artitst Ruth B. McDowell.  The class was a birthday present from my sister,
Sara who also came down from Portland for a visit and attended the class too. 
It's always fun to meet classmates and an extra-special treat was finding one who
is also a FWFan - Gayle DeForest of Chico.  My cup runneth over !

Gayle is a delightful lady and it was fun to put  a lovely face to a name whose
posts I've so enjoyed.  Gayle, I'm looking forward to seeing your landscape and
sure hope you still intend to do your garden and iris design.

Ruth is an artist who believes in realism and to my eye,  she accomplishes just
that using bits and pieces of fabrics with a fascinating blend of color and
perspective.  Her piecing methods will knock your eyes out and send you off to
the quilt shops to 'fill your paintbox'.  Absolutely amazing -- with not one iota
of applique is used.  

Check out her website for a real treat   www.ruthbmcdowell.com.  No affiliation -
just an absolute fan !

Barbara Daniels,  Cottonwood, California

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From: "The Turners" 
Subject: Featherweight machine
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:10:59 -0600

I have a new-for-me featherweight.  I don't know the model number, but 
wonder if it is anything special.  It has a white toggle switch for 
turning the machine on or off and the case is different in that it 
doesn't have the holder on the inside of the top lid to hold the foot 
control;  the case is lined and doesn't show signs of the holder being 
removed.  If you have any ideas about this, please let me kknow.   Thank 
you very much,  Judy 

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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:10:33 +0000
From: Graham Forsdyke 
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 1/12/2004

To Ann who asked

>.......ewhere near the tension, I think.  Or maybe it is in
>the bobbin area.  The thread between the tension thing and the needle is
>really tight, at least tighter than usual for the tension setting I use.
>  Changing the tension setting only resulted in bad stitches so I put it
>back to its normal place. .......
>I did run a pipe cleaner through the tension discs thinking they needed
>dusting.


I've never been a fan of the pipe cleaner idea -- having found pieces 
of cleaner jammed in the tension mechanism on more than one occasion. 
I suggest you simply dismantle the assembly, clean and replace.



To Lauren who asked

>I recently inherited an old fashioned sewing machine.  The only writing on
>it is "NF Beacon".  Can anyone provide me with info the manufacturer.  The
>sewing machine is in a wood cabinet with 2 small draws on each side and a
>manual foot pedal. thank you


In the 1890 to 1940 period there was a fad with large retailers and 
mail order houses to  sell "own brand" sewing machines.

To do this they entered into contracts with established sewing 
machine manufacturers who would supply  standard models but with the 
name of choice substituted for the normal brand name.

I have records of nearly 5000 such "exclusive" names  produced by 
half a dozen makers during this period.

The situation is further confused in that  retailers might switch 
makers at the end of a contract period and the same name would then 
appear on a completely different machine by another  manufacturer

Likely makers for your machine are Davis, mason and National



To Joy

>...........I had no trouble removing the needle plate from my
>old FW to check for lint but on my newest FW it won't budge after removing the
>screw.  It looks in great condition.  Am I missing something somewhere?  It
>is the plate with 1/4, 1/2 etc. lines on it (221-k).


These can stick due to congealed oil under the plate.  First clear 
the area by removing the needle, presser foot and, it be on the safe 
side, the extension table.

Then you can gently tap the underside of the plate  -- I use a wooden 
skewer and a light tack hammer.  Whatever you do, don't try to pry it 
up with a screwdriver in the feed-dog slots....



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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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 05:58:49 -0800
Subject: 
From: Erin Bulman 

Hi all,

My Featherweight arrived yesterday, from Glenn. It
is a lovely machine, and looks beautifully restored.
I have you all to thank for helping me find one. Although
it didn't arrive in time for Christmas, it was the best
present I could wish for. I'm amazed that after not
having one for thirty years, I knew just how to thread it,
fill the bobbin, and use it. It's as natural as eating
breakfast, you don't need to even think about it. I'm
looking forward to many, many great hours of sewing
on it. Do you think I will now be able to make quilts
as beautiful as Cynthia England's (she uses one for
her quilts too), ha ha. My DH keeps marvelling over
how many world class quilters use Featherweights -
he watches Simply Quilts with me religiously. What
a super husband I captured 46 years ago.

A very VERY happy new FW owner.

Kate
(whose DH now says he thinks I need that card table.
No, you can't have him.)

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From: "Gerald" 
Subject: 24 manuals
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 06:42:14 -0600

I'm still wanting needing Singer model 24 manuals, any and all models. Most
be originals. I know some one out there has some of these, now don't you
want to make a little money to buy some thing else you want?? I pay top
dollar for them.


Rainbow of Colors
http://home.cablelynx.com/~rambo2/Colors/index.htm
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