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From: Sancin
Date: 12-20-2005, 05:03 AM (1 of 11)
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I recently purchased a featherweight. I was reading somewhere about attachments and one was listed as stippling whatever. Does anyone have one of these machines and know what this about? I can see how one may stipple if one could lower the feed dogs. Has anyone lowered, or perhaps covered the feeddogs on a featherweight and if so, with what? I was wondering if one could cover the feed dogs with masking tape or that plastic wrapping tape. I realize one would have to clean the feed dogs after. Further, some months ago someone mentioned having a zigzag attachment for a featherweight. If you are in the reading vacinity could you, or anyone else, let me know how effective the zig zag attachment is and how easy it is to use. I also wonder about the gathering attachment. I had a featherweight years ago but had no attachments. And yet another question! It has been said that due to the size and weight of the featherweight one can take it on airplanes as carry on. Anyone done this? My daughter wants me to go to Toronto and make her some curtains, but she doesn't have a sewing machine. Are rentals available? Thanks for any info in advance. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 12-21-2005, 06:25 PM (2 of 11)
Sancin, I have a Featherweight.. I think you remember me talking about the attachments.. I did have the zig-zag attachment for mine, but left it at the beach house when I had to move my 'stuff ' out when H wanted a divorce.. When I remembered to ask for it, it had disappeared.. I well remember how it worked.. it had cams you inserted just like the buttonhole attachment works.. You had to attach the whole unit to the 'needle shaft". (name ??) It was noisy, just like the buttonhold maker, but it worked great.. The gatherer worked pretty well also, but I usually just tightened the tension dial and gathered that way.. Easier and quieter.. So many of those attachments were so noisy.. I do love "Old Faithful".. That is what my family calls mine.. I bought it used in 1957.. Rented it from Singer for 3 months with option to buy, and my $15. per month rental counted as my down payment.. I paid $159.00 fir it, the case and all the attachments.. Still have all, in working order except the zigzag gizmo.. Cannot tell you about the airline, call them and ask.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Sancin
Date: 12-21-2005, 06:43 PM (3 of 11)
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Thanks, Libby That is just the type of information I was looking for. I bought the Featherweight as it had been my first sewing machine. Re loosing things in divorce - been there. It's never the things you think you will miss! But it is amazing how well one does with out them. Merry Christmas! and Happy Sewing *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: sewerzzzzzz
Date: 12-22-2005, 01:58 PM (4 of 11)
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Featherweight Info. (http://www.singer-featherweight.com/) I have a 15-91 and I loosen a screw on the bottom that prevents the feeddogs from moving (although they still do but it doesn't interfere), then set the stitch regulator to the neutral position to embroider stuff. I've heard about people doing quilts this way. |
User: sewerzzzzzz
Member since: 02-27-2005 Total posts: 81 |
From: Ann Made
Date: 12-28-2005, 09:49 AM (5 of 11)
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I have a Singer Featherweight. It was purchased by my dad in 1950 and was mom's first sewing machine. I have a bunch of different feet and the buttonhole attachment. I wouldn't sell this machine for anything. I do allow students to use it when I teach quilting but am very protective about it. Sancin, where abouts in northern BC do you live? Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 12-28-2005, 07:55 PM (6 of 11)
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The original zig-zag attachment is no longer available but there is a generic one that has seven different stitches. The stippling attachment you speak of is probably the free motion darning or embroidery foot. The 221(featherweight) is a standard low shank so all accessories are very readily available. The only exception is that the standard even feed or walking foot does not work properly because the teeth on it do not line up with the feed dogs. There is a walking foot made just for the 221 and other straight stitch machines with that feed dog arrangment. I find that just turning the feed length to "0" allows me to free motion quilt, embroider, or stipple just fine. Another alternative since the feed dogs won't drop is to remove the throat plate, then remove the two screws holding the feed dogs and just remove the feed dogs. It is very quick and simple to do and also to replace the feed dogs when you are through. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Rea
Date: 12-28-2005, 10:40 PM (7 of 11)
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I have my grandmother's 1951 Singer, not a featherweight. Will her attachments fit the Featherweight? believe she bought every one available. It was the first buttonhole I ever made. Also, her instruction book tells how to lower the feed dog, it is done from the bottom, but i will have to look again to see how it is done. I still use this machine sometimes, it is great! No belt, and it doesn't bog down. The only thing I ever had to do to it, was rewire it when i got it about 20 years ago. A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather with a certain set of attitudes. Hugh Downs
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User: Rea
Member since: 12-19-2005 Total posts: 47 
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From: Sancin
Date: 12-29-2005, 06:37 PM (8 of 11)
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Sancin, where abouts in northern BC do you live? Just down the road from you in Prince George. Had wet snow yesterday -how about you? Tom, thanks for the info. I did see a zig zag attachment in a store the other day, but the operator informed me that the angle of the Singer feet changed after the featherweight and it would not fit. Re: lowering feed dog - I will try your suggestion. Do you think that covering them with plastic would make it too sticky? Re: the universal walking foot - I seem to have several of them, but use on other machines so do not need it on the featherweight, but I did notice on Ebay that quite a few sellers are selling walking feet as featherweight feet. Just proves you have to be careful and do you research before buying. I also notice on ebay that having singer oil and bobbins seems to the sellers to be a 'big deal'. It is, I suppose, if you are collecting oil cans, but to me sewing machine oil is sewing machine oil and when I compare the bobbins of the featherweight to my Elna and Janome bobbins, there seems to be no difference. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: Ann Made
Date: 12-29-2005, 07:19 PM (9 of 11)
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Had wet snow yesterday -how about you? No, we didn't. It was lovely and sunny and it did turn cool. It was -14C this morning but at 5:18 pm it is 0C. Warmer than predicted. We don't get flurries for a couple of day and then the chances are slim. Ann Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67
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From: Tom Land
Date: 01-01-2006, 04:24 PM (10 of 11)
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Sancin, you're right sewing machine oil is sewing machine oil. The only exception being that Pfaff's require a special sinter bearing oil in places. As for bobbins, there are bobbins that are not made as well and can cause problems. The bobbin for the featherweight only fits one other Singer machine properly and that is the Singer 301. Since the featherweight is a full rotary vertical hook machine it is capable of creating a perfect stitch. Since a bobbin must turn while sewing even a slight difference in the weight of the bobbin can affect the tension. "Other than genuine" bobbins tend to be lighter in weight. They also have a braded center which often seperates over time Either will work but the genuine will ussually provide more stisfaction. Rea, yes the attachements for the 1951 Singer should work on the featherweight unless it is a model 206, 306, or 319. (These models where out shortly after that time but I thought I'd better mention them in case you are not sure of the 1951 date). Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-02-2006, 12:03 PM (11 of 11)
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I spent Saturday afternoon teaching my DGD hw to turn an old pair of Denim shorts into a purse for her.. Sewing lesson on using machine was done on "Old Faithful"..( My featherweight..) We had a great time.. She concentrated so hard on her sewing seams.. (keeping them straight).. She had been expressing interest in learning for a few months now.. I think I had a stroke of genius to think about the 'purse'.. She was so proud of her finished product, she went right to her room and loaded it up to carry with her for the gathering she was going to for New Years Eve.. I even showed her how to make a buttonhole (with the attachment) for a closure ..She is eight but looks 10 or 11.. we used a size 4 pair of denim shorts and some matching twill ribbon 1 inch wide doubled for the shoulder strap.. I was proud of the way it turned out, and she cannot wait for us to have another lesson soon.. (I am gonna have a convert , yet) LOL
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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