Special thanks to the Woodworker for detailing mom’s old Singer Featherweight sewing machine for me today. This machine (Model 221-1)has been in my basement since 2008 when Dad told me to take it home with me. Mom passed away in the spring of 2007, and for awhile he didn’t want to part with it. Mom always intended me to have the machine, but I honored his need to have it in their house.
My mom received this machine as a gift from her Aunt when she graduated from high school. She sewed all her own clothes, and when I was adopted, she sewed most of mine until I was about 8. She made all my dresses for high school dances (except for one), including my prom dress. Everything was sewn on this machine.
So Mom’s machine has been in my basement for a few years. I couldn’t bring myself to bring it out and put it to use, as it brought back so many memories. Now I want to let the machine continue her work, so dear hubby was kind enough to go over the machine today and clean it up. It was in pretty good shape and fairly clean. Now I need to learn how to use it! It threads differently than my old Bernina and Pfaff machines, and it has only two stitches: forward and backward.
I know I can do this. Mom’s up there watching over me.
nice machine – my feathweight is from 1953 and they sure made them pretty much the same the whole time they made them. Have fun using it!
Karen
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I think one of the greatest machines ever. My mother sewed all of my clothes on her Singer Featherweight, including my wedding dress too and I wish I still had hers. She gave it to my sister who never has sewn a day in her life and she lost it in a move!
I have since purchased four of them and they sew like a charm. Most days I wonder why I fight with these newer models that I have in the sewing room. The little machines are tanks 🙂
What a treasure yours is.
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Oh, how wonderful! I have my Mom's Featherweight too. I don't use it often enough and after reading your post am determined to get it out and play. I have very distinct memories of the little Featherweight set up in the dinette and my Mom sewing on it when I was a little girl.
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How special to have that sweet Featherweight of you Mom's…I'll bet the things you sew with it will be special, too.
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What a wonderful story. I bet you'll enjoy every stitch made with the machine. Enjoy the memories and the sewing.
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What a sweet story, Caron – treasure it, and the memories it holds. It's beautiful.
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I love my FW even though I wasn't fortunate enough to inherit it! So I am sure yours will be doubly treasured! It is absolutely my favorite machine. Enjoy! ~Jeanne
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Hi Caron, what beautiful memories must your FW give! I have one too, and it's the most delightful machine. And yes, threading it is different, but you will get used to that. And your machine gives that extra something to your creations in advance to any other machine: the love of your mother, woven in every stitch. Enjoy and treasure it!
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Hi Caron… What a wonderful memories you have with the Featherweight… I am looking for one so I can to take to classes…I am sure that your Mom is smilling at you and Happy that you are using her machine… Enjoy Hugs 🙂
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What a Treasure Caron!
Your Mom will continue to be with you every time you use that machine….an honor indeed
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