This is my little Featherweight. I love this little machine. She is not my first Featherweight though. My Mom had an old Featherweight that she used once in a while for mending. When I started sewing for Home Ec, I wrestled with her Featherweight to the point of frustration. It never seemed to run right. I passed the Home Ec class and one of the first things I purchased after high school was a Singer Stylist sewing machine. After my proud purchase my thoughts at the time were, why would I need that old black thing that gave me such a hard time!! So I sold it to a co-worker. For $10.
The new Singer was not a very cooperative machine. It was in constant need of repair. I felt so much frustration that I pretty much gave up garment sewing. As I began to quilt, I realized the need for a good straight stitch. A friend was getting a new sewing machine and she asked me if I would like her old Kenmore. I have sewn many, many miles on that machine. It was sturdy and faithful.
But in the back of my mind, I mourned for that little black Featherweight. The more I heard of others sewing on Featherweights, the more I lamented. I was sure that my old co-worker was still sewing on that old black machine.
On Christmas morning in 2003, there was a little black box sitting under the Christmas tree. I wondered what in the world could be in that little box. At first I thought it was some kind of projector or camera. But when I opened the lid, there sat this little beauty. My dear sweet husband and son had been on a mission to buy me a new sewing machine. I was thrilled to say the least!! But that is not the end of the story. You see, my dear sweet husband and son had gone to a sewing machine repair store and asked questions. The store owner told my dh that the Featherweight had the best straight stitch, and that quilters everywhere covet them. Hummm, but it isn't a new machine. Oh if you want a new sewing machine you need to go to the store down the road. So in addition to this little beauty, my dear sweet husband and son bought a Bernina Virtuosa 155. Can you imagine my surprise when I not only opened the Featherweight but the next box was this incredible Bernina!
What brand and model do you have?
9 comments:
What a beautiful story! I have a Pfaff machine that I do all of my sewing on. I also have a small Kenmore that is made for travel. I'll use it for classes if I ever get back to taking them in person. ☺
Sandy
Your sweet story made my day! I’m a Bernina gal through and through.
I have the same Bernina machine, brought it many years ago brand new. It's still going strong and I love it. Also have a featherweight which I have not used much, still have to get used to it.
Singer 351 ,from my Mother .
Groetjes uit Holland.
I have an Elan that I have been sewing on since 1994 and I love it. When my youngest sister died she left the family a LITTLE money. I had always wanted a new machine, I will never part with this one, I am just to hooked to it and emotional about it. I wonder what the fellow in the store thought when I cried when I bought it! Enjoy your new one!! Let us know how you like it!
Ilearned to sew on a Bernina Record, the same we also had in Elementary and Secondary school for textile craft classes.
Before getting married and to sew my wedding dress I brought a then new Pfaff sewing machine. Nice machine, that I gifted to my daughter but still use for classes when I need more than a straight stitch. But I was never happy with the quilting set-up. The dual-feed the machine has is not a walking foot. So later my husband bought me a Bernina Aurora 450 QE. This is my main machine. And then I also have an old green straight stitch-only Bernina 121. My grandmother had it from a flee market.
The original owner hardly sewed on it and because it was straight stitch only it was very cheap. I love that machine. It came with the original needle packet and machine manual and has its own small "suitcase" for storage and travel. This is the machine I take with me for piecing classes. And then someone in the neighborhood who volunteered for an organization that brings sewing machines and instructions on how to use them to women in Africa. One of their donated machines was a all metal Japanese model in a cabinet. They were not interested in that machine and I bought it for $25. This is the machine that I use if I want to sew in front of the TV in the evening. It is easy to set up and when closed the wood cabinet looks like a side table and I have my husbands antique record player on it.
Wonderful story. I collect and use vintage and antique sewing machines. My earlies sewing machine, a Folsom, was manufactured in the 1860s.
Currently, I sew quilts on an Elna SU flat bed from the early 1970s. This machine currently resides in a tailor style treadle and makes lovely stitches. It's an electric machine with the foot controller resting on the treadle.
Your story reminds me to use my Featherweights.
Phyllis
I don't own a Bernina, but I do own a 1939 Featherweight (along with about 70 other sewing machines). I LOVE my Featherweight!
wow you are covered for any sewing task....i have a featherweight also but my beloved 1978 viking finally became unrepairable....a great loss...
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