World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of June 14, 1999:

Our question this week comes from Baf

Recently on Simple Quilts they mentioned that the Singer featherweight is a wonderful sewing machine for quilters--why

Connie :
It's a great machine because all it does is a straight stitch - nothing else. However, it is a perfect straight stitch. Does a great 1/4" with the addition of a Little Foot. And it's lightweight to take with you to classes. Plus it's cute!!! They all have individual personalities.

Marnie Luckman :
Personally, I own two featherweights just for that reason. They are known for their perfect straight stitch. Incomparable even to our "top of the line" sewing machines of today. Plus, they are so simple (and fun) to use. They are easily maintained, and work best when used alot and not left sitting. If you buy one, try to get a later model year, as the early ones are prettier, but the tension disc is better on the models after 1942.
LINDASUE@TAMPABAY.RR.COM :
I feel part of the reason is that is light weight and you can easily take it with you anywhere especially for sewing/quilting classes. It is accurate and easy to use. However, I think the fact that it was used over 50 yrs ago makes it attractive to us babyboomers. The tradition behind the machines and the lovely quilts that were pieced on them are simply marvelous.
My Aunt has hers since the early 40's given to her by her mother and continues to go back to it and leave her fancy machine in cobwebs. It's tradition at its best!
Ardie Trenholm :
I have one and it's light weight and easy to take to classes. You can set it up for 1/4" seam with mole skin, or whatever, and leave the guide there for all quilting classes
betty from Pa. :
Because they are workhorses and virtually indestructable. They are also very portable and relatively lightweight, hence the name featherweight.
kd :
lightweight..sews great,,most of all wonderful feeling to be sewing wonderful quilts on a sewing machine born the same year i was...
Shirley Dunivan :
I like doing paper piecing on my 1936 FeatherweightThe machine works very well and is easy to clean
Brenda Wall :
When the FW were made they were made to last and be passed on from mother to daughter to granddaughter. They are dependable machines, easy to carry to workshops, if kept oiled they are easy to run and a delight to use. Their stitches are accurate and make piecing a breeze. They are just a good basic stitching machine
mufythedog :
Because it is light weight and is easy to carry to quilting or sewing classes
Ramona the Pest :
It is light weight to carry to classes.
There isn't much on it to break. Not a top loading bobbin. I've had mine since early 1957.
Gail B :
Mine works great. It is not tempermental. The 1/4 " gauge is handy. The stitches are always perfect (no tension headaches). I don't know what I would do without it.
JR :
Their portability is probably one of the main reasons. They are tiny and very lightweight. Their case is not much bigger than the "train cases" ladies used to travel with to carry their grooming items. They sew beautifully (straight stitch only) and are little workhorses. I take mine to classes and workshops, as well as on vacation. Can't do that with one of the bigger, heavier computerized machines (well - I guess you could, but it's not as convenient).

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