1952 Featherweight and 1950s Singer 404

by Patricia
(Lafayette, IN)

I love both these machines for different reasons. I use the Singer Featherweight for lighter sewing of two or three fabric layers and thoroughly enjoy it. The only problem I've had is with the hook of the bobbin case. Thankfully, I found a GREAT Singer repairman.

It seems hard on the Featherweight to sew binding on a quilt (5 layers), but the Singer 404 is a powerhouse and doesn't mind multiple layers, so I use it for that. I bought a Janome to do machine quilting, but felt like it was in control instead of me, probably because I'm not that skilled. Also, the thread kept breaking.

So this wonderful repairman fixed up the 404 with quilting and walking feet, and now it's doing straightline machine quilting and gentle curves. I will use the Janome for free motion machine quilting, but I've avoided doing it lately.

The Singer Featherweight is from my mother and the 404 from my grandmother, so I do have emotional attachments to both, but they sure did know how to make those old Singers!