Friday, April 26, 2013

How I got hooked

This is my favorite sewing machine story. About 7-8 years ago, I was at our local thrift store, as I am quite often, and noticed a brown case on the very bottom shelf. I pulled it out to look inside, and there was a little tan sewing machine in there! I wasn't collecting them yet so I put it back on the shelf. Then I decided to check the price-it was $2 so I decided to get it. I hightailed it out of there thinking at any moment someone would tell me it was a mistake.

When I got home, my husband took it out of the case (I hadn't even done that at the store!), folded down the extension table, and that is when I knew what I had. It was a tan Singer Featherweight 221k, rare because it was only made one year. I had been with my mother both times that she purchased a Featherweight, so that is how I knew what it was. My husband knew I would sell it, so his only comment while I was jumping up and down was, "Does this mean we can get carpet in the basement now?"

It came with a buttonholer, manual, feet, and the case was in great shape. I sold it on eBay 2 weeks later for $1025, my biggest profit ever from thrift store shopping, and I was hooked. I turned right around and bought a black Featherweight with part of the money, I still have it and love it.



White Featherweight

I have been trying to get one of these on eBay for years, but I don't like to spend $300, so it took a while. Finally found this one for around $200, the auction ended at 4 am so I guess that's why I had less competition. It isn't perfect, the case is stained and I rigged a bamboo skewer to replace the spool pin, but it works. I also had to replace the bobbin winder.

It's been a while...

...but I have few new ones. First up is a green Kenmore 158-14001 model, paid $15 but it was missing the bobbin case so I spent $10 on a new one of those. I like these old Kenmores, very strong motors!