It’s been a few weeks now since mum & dad came to visit – a flying visit but a fab one none the less & we made the most of every moment :)
As if getting to hang out together for a few days wasn’t exciting enough, they had also carried a special little gift all the way (via a trip around the Daintree) from Sussex…
Spotted in a shop window in Whitstable (one of my favourite seaside towns!) was this sweet little Singer Featherweight 221K & she is a treasure! My Janome is feeling quite neglected as almost all the sewing I have done since she arrived has been on the Singer… (lots to share - more sewing than time to blog about it at the mo!) a quilt back, the beginnings of a quilt top, Tova, some paper piecing, wiksten tank & more! She sews like a dream & I am smitten. If you’ve never sewn on one of these little gems & get the chance to, do try!
She’s tiny , approx 15″ in length, folding up to just 10″! cute!
she rolled off the production line in January 1957 & is fully electric (though I don’t have her cable plugged in in these pics) with a straight stitch. She arrived in full working order, in her case, complete with bobbin holder & many feet!
these 3 as yet to be identified, if you know what they are I’d love to hear!
Lots of info on Singer Featherweights all over the web (including a site by another Nova fwded to me by Krista!) Google ‘Singer Featherweight’ if you’re keen to learn more about these fab little machines & if you spot one in a shop window in Whitstable or elsewhere I’d recommend you snap it up, you won’t be sorry!
While dad & Andy were busy fixing the mower, mum & I had a wonderful day together in the sewing room & we gave the Featherweight a good spin after her long journey! As we both love house blocks we decided to venture into new territory & try our hand at paper piecing using Kerry’s mini house block tutorial (we used the freezer paper method). More talking & giggling than sewing occurred, hence we both ended up with chimneys that could use a structural engineer & I built my house back to front but I love them!
I made a bright & cheery potholder with my block & mum made hers into a scrappy flex frame pouch for her camera – she added an extra storey to her house too!
happy days :)
x
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
What a find! It’s gorgeous.
I don’t have a clue about the foot on the left but I think the middle is either an elastic-attaching foot or a ruffler. The far right looks just like my zipper foot.
Yes, nr 2 looks like a gathering foot and nr 3 a zipper foot. Could nr 1 be a tuckmarker?
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/accesspages/acc_tuckmkr.html
Enjoy your new toy!
Snap! I’ve got a 1951 model 221 – “Francene” and I just love sewing with her!
I think the first foot is an adjustable hemmer (wide hemming). The middle one may be a non-Singer part, but it looks like the gathering foot (like the third one along in the top photo) Maybe it could be used for darning also? And the last one is “Presser foot for stitching on edge and inserting cord”. This part came as a left or right handed hole. I think you could use it as a zipper foot.
Enjoy!
what a fabulous little machine!!!
Wow what a find!
Number one looks surgical! I watch too much CSI!
Oh so cute! I love the extra floor added too! I have a featherweight in minty pale green with all the feet- she is a honey! I cannot believe they brought such a heavy thing with them- they may be lighter than a standard but even so- what love!
I think that I’ve had a zipper foot that looked like the one on the far right and I’m keeping my eyes peeled next time I’m in Whitstable I love going there too especially the cheese shop :)
Wow! I’m officially jealous! That’s a stunning little machine, and so pretty! There are some on Ebay in our area – maybe I can convince my other half that one would be suitable for my new craft room, which is rather dinky…
Lovely stuff, and pretty houses too!
awww so cute items you have done.
also love the tiny singer :)
Hi
I was born in Whitstable and it is a lovely seaside town! I love your new/old singer! I live in the US now and don’t get to visit home nearly enough so it is great to say hi to someone who loves whitstable too! Happy sewing! Love your blog!
Angela
Fun new toy! The remaining feet are, obviously, instruments of torture… ;)
I have 2 featherweights…one black and one green. They are the sweetest machines to sew with. My green one is named Miss Luella and was manufactured in Scotland. Both projects are adorable. What a lovely gift. Deb.
she needs a name! ;p
Wow! What a treasure…she’s beautiful! :)
holy cow she came with a ruffler! that is amazing. may you have a long and happy life together! ;)
Oh you are a lucky lady! Featherweights are the BEST. I currently have 3 and I love to teach with them since they are so simple. They only do one stitch, but they are perfect at what they do. Just keep her oiled and she will stitch on for ages.
What a very special treasure. Can’t wait to see what you’ve been making xxx
My parents, too, once gifted me with a Featherweight 221, during a period when I was crazy for them. It was so much fun to try to hunt one down. They came across one in an antique store on the Oregon coast, and had to get it for me. Thanks for the memory jog!
How fun! :) I have a 1953 Singer that looks just like this! My mother taught me to sew with it, and now my daughter is learning with it. It is so simple to use and hums right along!
My “regular” machine is also a Janome. :)
I am between modern sewing machines at the moment. I sold my Bernina because I just wasn’t feeling the love, and am waiting for delivery of a Pfaff just like FlossieTeacakes’ which I found on ebay last week. Serendipity.
So I am considering using my 222K for a week or so and making a whole project on her. No buttonholes because there is no zigzag so it will need to be a frock!
I put photos of her on Flickr yesterday if you want a peek.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theyarnyard/sets/72157629847948963/
NOVA!!!! Spent weekend with girlfriends on a road trip to Chico and Paradise. (I live in California) Anywho, I found a shop in Chico that had 5 different featherweights for sale AND they were $50 off and no sales tax!!! I got a 1953 model 221 in excellent condition!! She has her original case, power cord, paint, all her feet!! I got her out the door for $475!!! EEEEPPPP!!! She must not have been used much because her paint isn’t worn off and the power cord is the original. I’ve always wanted one but they were always out of my price range! I’m gonna name her..not sure what yet. Even my hubby thought it was awesome!!