Featherweight Update

I cleaned up my 1938 Featherweight treasure and I'm even more delighted with her!  This is an "after" picture, although it pretty much looks the same as my "before" pictures in an earlier post.  In person, however, there is a very noticeable difference in her appearance.  She just sparkles and glistens!  I cleaned her insides, applied fresh grease to her gears and fresh oil to all of her "joints."  I didn't find much wrong with her inner workings.  I found one wire casing that was fraying but left it alone.  The wiring itself was still fine, so better off left alone.  She had been over greased at some time in her life and under oiled.....both causing her to be sluggish.  After her spa day, she ran like a top.  Secretly, I think she was happy to be loved again. 

 

 

 

When I finished her inside work, it was time for an exterior clean up.  I just took a cotton swab with water only, to reach into her crevices to remove any dust and residue.  After I was sure she was basically clean, I waxed her from top to bottom, being extra careful when I was polishing her decal areas.  Except for a few minor scratches and that minor wear on her front decals, she looks like she just came from the factory!

 

 

Here's her beautiful scroll face plate, which required no attention at all.  A little polishing cloth and that was it.

Finally, this is her first stitching after threading her up and filling her bobbin.  I didn't even have to make any adjustments to her tension.... top or bottom.  Everyone talks about the wonderful straight stitch that Featherweights make, and it's true!  As light as she weighs... around 11 pounds..... she has a very solid, strong feel to her when you are sewing.  No shaking or walking off of your table.  She purrs, just as I had hoped!

Now that she's back in working order, I'm not sure that I'd ever take her to a quilting gathering.  I'm a bit concerned for her safety and want to keep her pristine.  But even after saying that, I know she was meant to be used!  We'll see.  For now, I'm clearing off a shelf in my sewing room for her to be admired.  I'll put some of my children's vintage sewing machines with her to keep her company.  I haven't named her yet... waiting on the right name to come to my mind. 

Now.... on to cleaning up her original case.   It won't be as beautiful as it was originally, but it will still be looking better than it does now. 

My Newest Goodie

First of all, I'm sorry for such a long absence.  I've had a bad month+ of illness and have done little in the creativity department.  I'm feeling a bit better and hope to actually sew something soon. 

 

I do have something to show you today.  Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, you can shop from your home and have things delivered to your door..... doesn't matter if you are sick or not!  (Did you know this?!) Admittedly, this can also be a very bad thing!

 

I've been looking for a Singer Featherweight for several years.  Many things have stopped me from getting one..... couldn't find the perfect machine for me..... too much money.... bad timing.... whatever.  I cruise EBay frequently, always looking for the machine that "has my name on it" and I finally found it! 

 

Here she is, my first Featherweight!  I lucked out finding her.  The person selling this must not have known what he could have charged for this particular machine.  It was a BIN (buy it now) auction and was only listed for a couple of minutes before I bought it.  I knew if I hesitated at all, it would be gone.  He had few pictures, a short description, and didn't even mention her best features.  I took a huge leap of faith ..........

 

She's a May 1938 model and has the wonderful scroll face plate that I wanted so badly.  Overall, her condition is very good.  All of these pictures are her "before" pictures, as I have done nothing to perk her up yet.  She needs a good cleaning, lube and oil job, and finally, a waxing to restore her full luster.  I've been watching YouTube videos that demonstrate just how to do this the proper way.

 

 

 

Backside...

 

This is the main damage that I found.... just a little deterioration of the front decal where someone has rested their wrist over the years.  This is certainly expected on a machine that is 77 years old and this wear and tear is actually very minor for her age.

Here's her beautiful front scroll face plate... it's perfect!

This is her original case, which has several condition issues, but again, it's to be expected for a machine case this old.  It's all intact and in working order.  The handle is still very functional, even though the leather handle is splitting.  Both hinges work perfectly.  Although the case has dings and scratches, much of this will be hidden after a little cleaning and TLC.

This is the original tray inside the case and the goodies that were included.  Not much to speak of except that it has an original key.  There is also an additional foot.....hiding in the upper left corner.... the adjustable hemming foot. 

 

She may not be perfect, but she is all mine!  I'll post some "after" pictures when I get her all cleaned up and running smoothly.  Which, by the way, she does run but I think she may be a little sluggish.  After her cleaning, oiling, and lubing, I'm expecting her to purr.

 

And here's a Kirby update.  He's doing quite well.... he's enjoying a tasty snap pea in this shot.  He's in the middle of a major molt..... his crest feathers are all gone and those are new ones growing in that you see in the photo.  He'll be one handsome dude in a few months!  In my last post I told you that he could say "Hi Kirby" and that I'd be happy if that is all that he ever learned to say.  Well..... he's a regular chatterbox now.  He learns new words easily and can now say "Kirby is a good boy" ..... "I'm a big bird"...... "I love you" ...... "Kirby dance" (bobs his head when he says this)..... sings "Kirby, Kirby, Kirby.... Takes me a few days of saying a particular phrase to him and then he begins to imitate me.  He talks "people" about half of the time and "bird" the rest of the time.  His "people" speaking is much easier on my ears!

Thanks for stopping by today.  At least this post was sewing related, even if there wasn't a completed project to show......soon, I hope!