Dee Gerardy shares her Featherweight knowledge

Okay - many of us have always wanted to get a featherweight sewing machine to take to classes - but how many of us (besides Susie and Dee) knew that there was sooooooooooooooooooooo much to know first?

Dee says she is not really an expert (Dee forgive me if I get something wrong here), but she definitely gave us a lot of knowledge to roll around in our thoughts. 

Dee was about 8 when she saw her first FW (featherweight).  She was at her Aunts when she saw it and just knew that it was a toy and that it was going to be given to her.  The size - 11 pounds 1 ounce (cast aluminum), would give many the idea it was a toy - if you have checked one out or own one, you know that it is a hard working machine.  Dee was very disappointed not to get her Aunts FW then, now she understands completely WHY.

 

Since then, Dee has gotten hooked!

 The first FW Dee showed us was her 1933 model.  You can check out the S/N on the bottom to find out "when it was born" as looking at it may not tell you correctly as the parts were used until they were gone. (Older parts may have been used to make newer models)  The machines were made in Great Britain.  Most of those found in the United States came through Canada where they would install a motor that worked on our voltage system.  The first models will have a silver flywheel and a scroll face plate.

The next model Dee showed us, the flywheel was all black and had stripes on the face plate.  They are very similar with reverse, stitch length, clutch in flywheel that disengaged the needle when the bobbin is wound.

Look at the medallion on the front for further clarification of what model you have.  When Singer celebrated it's hundred years - it made a Centennial Model 1851 - 1951 with a blue ring around the medallion.  Dee was very happy to find out that hers was one of those.  They also made a wine colored ring for the Chicago World's Fair, a red ring for the Texas State Fair.  And there is a Golden Gate Bridge medallion.

In 1942 they made a model using other materials to aid the war effort.  They will have a black face plate and black attachments.  They even made a Black Crinkle model for the army - very few of these are in circulation.

Dee showed us the various attachments that can come with a FW from a can of oil to a button holer, zipper foot, etc.  She has even heard that at one auction they tried to auction the can of oil off separately - you can imagine the commotion the quilters in the group made.  If you should happen to get a FW from an auction, check to make sure you get the bobbin case, usually the clerk has it until you pay for the FW.

In 1960 they came out with a tan FW.  They only made those for about two years. During that time of history the twist was the way to dance, Elvis came back from the service and Kennedy was voted in as president.  It's very interesting to hear what was going on in the world during the FW's history.

Then came out the celery or white model.  This one was not as popular as it had a shorter bed, was belt driven instead of gears, hard wired and had a foil medallion.

From 1954 - 1959 a heavier version (12 pounds 1 ounce) came out that tried to meet the sew-er's needs.  It had a detachable sewing tray to make it into a free arm and a button that made the feed dogs drop.  There were not many of these models made.  Notice the silver face plate was back.

Dee gave us many pointers on what to look for if and when we search for our own FW - what type of flywheel, face plate, medallion, what attachments included, check fraying of cord, does it sew, etc.  And if the case smells bad from oil on the bottom or from the glue used - try putting it out in the sun, or buy activated charcoal for fish tanks and place in the case, or even place banana peels inside to absorb the odors - might take a few times.

There are a lot of items out there for a FW besides the new 1/4" feet and walking feet - Dee brought in what looked like a card table from the side - that was a table to drop in a FW,

and an acrylic table to extend your sewing surface.

 

One of Dee's latest additions to her collection was a rough looking FW with no case.  She found a tail gating cooler on wheels that is perfect for holding her FW that was "remodeled" in a Mercedes Benz red.

 Had to get a close up of this beauty.  Proud addition to any collection.

 You can look on E-bay, go to auctions, ask friends to be on the lookout, check out stores - Featherweights are out there and prices can vary as much as the condition.  It is up to the buyer and the seller. 

Dee also shared with us a couple of new blocks that she has seen demonstrated and that she can easily sew on her FW's.  Here below are examples of taking two pieces of fabric cut the same size square and placed right side to right side, sew around all four edges, place an "X" on the back of one and cut very carefully and press open.  Place another piece of fabric the size of the new block face down, repeat and keep doing this till you have the size block you want.  Remember you are working with bias edges and the points will be cut off.  Very quick way to sew up some very interesting blocks.

 Or you can try the four-patch method that Dee handed out fliers about.  Click on the pictures for a larger view.

If you did not get enough views of Featherweights from Dee, click on the link below to look at more.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=featherweight+sewing+machines&qpvt=featherweight+sewing+machines&FORM=IGRE

Thank you Dee for sharing what you have learned and happy shopping to those of you that are now hooked on getting at least one Featherweight.  Can you really settle for just having one?