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 Sunday, January 25, 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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Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 11:38:38 +0000
From: Graham Forsdyke 
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 1/23/2004

To Stephanie who wrote

>
>I think I missed something.. what is it about 1935?


Not a lot but I've find machines from the first couple of years are 
more sought after.


Barb asked

>I have a question about oil cans.  Is there a list somewhere of which oil
>can goes with which vintage Featherweight?  When were the 1.5 oz oval oil
>cans phased out and replaced with the 3 ox cans?  I know some of the early
>cans were labeled "Household Oil" rather that "Sewing Machine Oil" but again
>when was this?  I


Like most date changes with Singer (deco plate etc)  I doubt that 
there was any firm date for these changes.

I don't think the Household Oil cans were every issued with machines 
-- this was  a simple impulse-buy item offered by Singer shops.

All one can say is that it seems that US cans had central lead spouts 
but those made in the UK had them offset.



For Judi who wrote

>I have decided my first fw must be a 1944, prefer the end of the year - can
>you guess -
>sept 26 is my birthday 1944

I think you are going to be unlucky here. There was very little 
production at all in 1944. The closest you are going to get will be a 
year later


To Kathy

>  I just called
>the Singer line to get the dates of manufacture and she told me that the
>little white one was a 328K from my serial number! I told her, no, I
>knew what a FW was and it is definitely a FW.  Any thoughts on that?


Unfortunately the EV to FA numbers which cover the  221-7 white/green 
machine production are still in a mess and Singer simply doesn't have 
accurate data for them. I just wish they would stop guessing....

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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From: PATBERGMAN@aol.com
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 19:52:20 EST
Subject: bobbin case

Dear Judy,

When I found a site that had a very low price for a replacement bobbin case 
for 221's and 301's I investigated it well, and after having a conversation 
with the owner, I bought a case, satisfaction guaranteed.

Now, this was at a time that I did not have a need for this case, I bought if 
as an insurance "policy," hoping it would issue a silent call for a machine 
to fit it.  Guess what?  It did.

When I found my cosmetically challenged black 301, it was missing it's 
original bobbin case, and surprise, surprise, I inserted a wound bobbin in the case, 
and away I sewed.

Now, I would suggest that you contact  
Singer221PartsFeatherweight Sewing Machine Parts
and see what you can get.

There are other people who are members of FWF who also sell these parts so I 
suggest you compare prices and see where you feel more comfortable. 

Original cases are available from Graham Forsdyke, graham@ismacs.u-net.com  
however these are priced higher, but his service is great. 

Congratulations on being at the right place at the right time.

PatBergman

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From: "Gayle DeForest" 
Subject: Elna user group
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 19:41:41 -0800

Does anyone know of an Elna user group online? I'm looking for a part, 
and not having much luck.
Gayle in Chico, CA

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Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 11:41:30 -0800
Subject: making quilts as a group project
From: karen c lang 

Dear FWs, 
Awhile back someone sent me info or a weblink for making quilts as a
group charity project. I thought I saved all the info and now can't find
it anywhere. My sister will have a Girl Scout and Brownie Division
working cooperatively on making baby and children's blankets. They plan a
sew-a-thon day in March. Can someone please send me the info again about
who does what and how many at each stage. The info I received earlier was
excellent but now that I need it, it has evaporated.
Thank you.
Karen Lang
Sunny today in San Rafael, CA

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From: "Juell" 
Subject: A 1944 FW  
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 09:49:17 -0800

In response to Judi's desire for a 1944 FW, I would love to own one that was
manufactured during that year, too, as that's my birth year as well.
However, because of WWII, I understand that they weren't being made at that
time.  Isn't this so?  Would appreciate someone (an OSMG) letting us know
when Singer interrupted the production of FWs and when they began producing
them again.
Mary in Fiddletown, CA, where frosty, overcast mornings have given way to
Mr. Sun...today, anyway.

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Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 08:23:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Sandy Wilkerson 
Subject: error re model given when calling Singer

Hi,

I too, had a problem when I called Singer for a
production date for a white FW serial #.  They told me
it was a 285K.  There was no doubt that this machine
was a white FW, so I sent an email to: 
     TalkToUs@SingerCo.com
and they gave me the the correct model # along with
the production date.  Singer's records aren't the
best.

Good luck

Sandy in Austin, TX

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From: HMMQuilts@aol.com
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 11:07:38 EST
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 1/23/2004

In a message dated 1/24/2004 7:17:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
FWFanatics@ttsw.com writes:
I can't get any closer than Charlton Mass
Graham, if this is the quilting/sewing machine store on Rt 20, I would 
definitely not recommend taking a FW there for repair.  The last time I was there, 
they were replacing original FW parts with make-do pedals, cords, etc.  They 
may know how to make them work, but at least two years ago were making no effort 
to keep them either authentic or original.  

Maybe things have changed?  Maybe I should not be so opinionated?  

I know there is an OSMG in Marlborough, MA, who maintains his respect for the 
'oldies but goodies'.  I think I'd recommend that this owner check with her 
local quilt shop and ask there for a referral!  Two of our local quilt shops 
have OSMG's who pick up, repair, and deliver to the shops...maybe she can find a 
similar arrangement where she lives?

HelenMarie  

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