I picked up a new (old) vintage machine today and boy does it have a story! As well as some beautiful provenance to match it’s beautiful cabinet. I haven’t even really had a chance to look at the actual machine but if the outside is anything to go by…
It’s still in the boot of my car because I need a second person to help me get it upstairs and that will have to wait until tomorrow….which reminded me that I was going to try and catch up on blogging about my (apparently ever expanding) machine collection.
That’s going well isn’t it? 😉
So here’s my lucky find from November 2015 (see, I told you guys I seriously needed to catch up!)
Obviously no vintage sewing machine collection is complete without a Singer Featherweight…actually no vintage sewing machine collection is ever complete…but now my little collection includes one.
They are a little hard to find in New Zealand, even harder to find in Wellington. More often they pop up in Christchurch and Auckland but cost a fortune to send my way due to their weight*. It only recently dawned on me that Fashionable Younger Sister lives in Auckland and so I altered my TradeMe search settings and then coaxed her into being my mule.
Three popped up for sale at the same time so I had my pick of the bunch and I think this was what kept the cost from getting too crazy. I know that sentence doesn’t make much sense if you don’t know what I paid for mine…but let’s just say they can go for in excess of NZD$350, regardless of condition, and I paid a lot less than that for an almost pristine machine complete with accessories, original case (with key!) and original manual.
I liked two out of the three the best. One of these was slightly older – without checking serial numbers the face plate is a good giveaway: In general you’ll find the Egyptian-like scroll work on the older machines. Newer machines have the more basic looking vertical striations. I ended up pursuing the more modern machine because it looked in much better condition.
Early Scroll Pattern v. Later Striated Faceplates from Singer Sewing Info
After I won the auction FYS was the best sister ever and braved a drive into a less-than-desirable suburb to pick it up for me. Don’t worry, she took her new beau with her for protection (I think he’s a keeper, just sayin’). She arrived in Welly for Christmas 2015, carrying it onto the plane as hand luggage in such a way as to make it look light…as a feather.
I picked FYS and the Featherweight up a few days later on my way to pick up my next vintage sewing machine purchase. For a short while (and not for the last time – see April 2016’s yet to be blogged Brother 190 and Pfaff 332-260) my boot contained TWO vintage sewing machines…more on what’s in the other case later…
Like usual I took lots of photos of the featherweight so if you are interested in seeing more you can find them here.
Check out my entire collection on my Weapons of Choice page.
*While the Singer 211 does indeed weight less than many of my other vintage machines, it’s still much heavier than a feather…
the curious kiwi 
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What a gorgeous machine! They really do go for insane prices so it sounds as though you did quite well.
that wee machine is so adorable, lucky you! I wish I’d known you decades ago when I had to ditch my grandmas Singer treadle machine because I was emigrating to live in Oz, It was the 2nd model Singer sold at the turn of the century and in perfect working order with all the accessories..
Yes, congratulations! Those cases do look nifty. Had a look at your entire collection… my, there are a few! del
Congratulations on your new (old!) score! It looks like it is in lovely condition!