1953 Singer Featherweight and Reproduction No. 68 Table

 

     Well...this is the sewing machine that started my sewing machine obsession.  This is a 1953 Singer Featherweight that I bought for my wife as a Christmas present 9 years ago.  My wife and I went on a little vacation up to Cloudersport, PA to stargaze.  Cloudersport is one of the darkest places in the area and is an excellent place to stargaze (I would recommend checking it out).  While we were in the area we made a day trip to see the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and Wellsville, PA.  While in Wellsville we stopped in a little quilt shop and they had some vintage machines on display.....one being a Featherweight.  At the time my wife said that she would like to try quilting.  Me being an attentive husband took note and soon after bought this Featherweight for her.   Little did I know that this was the start  of my addiction.  

     The Featherweight was in super nice condition.  Like all machines it needed cleaning and servicing but nothing extreme.  The one issue that it had was that it didn't come with any attachments.  So, my wife and I started looking for attachments.  One day, my wife called me from a second-hand store in Monongahela, PA stating that there was a sewing machine (actually two) that had attachments with them....but the owner would not separate the attachments from the machines.  We actually bought both machines and sets of attachments for $15 each.  One machine was a 201-2 in a No. 42 cabinet and the other was a 66(with backtack).  Neither of the machines worked so I took on the challenge of getting them working and cleaned up.  The 201-2 I ended up selling (made a tidy profit) and the 66 I gave to my daughter.  I've always worked on cars and have decent mechanical skills and the engineering behind the sewing machines facinated me.  Needless to say, this is what started my obsession.

     The table I just recently purchased.  When I first saw the ad I thought it might be original but after a little investigation I realized that it was a reproduction.  The  makers mark is stamped inside the cabinet.  It was hand crafted by Michael C. Delio of Bath, NY in July of either 1989 or 1999.  That said, it's a really nice reproduction.  It's made out of solid wood (not veneered) and is constructed very well. The maker even went to the trouble of reproducing the bentwood storage compartment.  You don't see that in the reproductions that are being made these days.   Since I didn't have one and don't feel like shelling out the money for a real one I decided to pick it up.  

     Since purchasing our first Featherweight, we've owned several Featherweights.  I've sold a few of them and still own about five.  We still own our first one.....and in addition, we own a Centennial, a Schoolbell, a Red S, and at least one other normal Featherweight.  I'll probably end up pairing this table with a nice Featherweight and selling the combination.  If anyone is interested, let me know.  Enjot the pictures below.