The Singer Featherweight – Beautiful & Durable

The Singer Featherweight sewing machine is a favorite amongst antique collectors. Designed with beauty and durability in mind, it isn’t unusual to find a Featherweight still in working order today.

In a world where virtually everything has been made to run off electricity, there are a few who prefer this man–or woman–powered machine to the expensive electric ones that dominate the industry.

To find a Singer Featherweight, you’ll need to know what you’re looking for. Since these machines do not have the model name “Featherweight” on them, you’ll have to identify the machine by its color, embellishments, and physical features.

Before World War II, most Singer Featherweight machines made in the United States were black with “Egyptian Scrollwork” on the faceplate.

After the war, most Featherweights were simply adorned with vertical stripes. White Featherweights were produced in Britain, beige machines were made in Canada and there are also rumors of “mint green” machines and some with crinkle paint.

Featherweights made in America and Britain all feature an extension on the bed that folds up to allow more sewing surface to the left-hand side of the needle.

However, there was a model made for a brief period of time that had a detachable bed for “free-arm” sewing.

Thanks to the Featherweight’s light weight, just over ten pounds, and ability to work quietly, many seamsters find that this machine is ideal for traveling or sewing on location.

The machine is also extremely durable and obviously boasts of a long life span since they can still be found in working order today.

While Featherweights are far from being a dime a dozen, it is possible to find one. Online auction or antique sites are likely to have a variety of machines to choose from.

The price is fairly reasonable for a good sewing machine, around five hundred dollars.

Although this money could be spent on a much newer machine with many more features, chances are that when that newer machine finally gives out, it won’t make nearly as good of a decoration as the Singer Featherweight.