Thank you to all those who sent emails, left FB messages and more on Wednesday’s post about the Vintage Sewing Center and Museum. It truly is a special place. As promised today’s post tells the story of a happy Godwink that was a few years in the making. My Heart Is A Featherweight.
My Heart Is A Featherweight
In the two and half years that I have gotten serious about historic costuming, I have met the most incredible people. People with a deep passion to share history, talents, fabric, and so much more.
I am primarily a self-taught seamstress. I’ve never shared that I struggle mightily with reading written instructions. This makes interpreting pattern directions a bit of a challenge. (I’m laughing at that understatement!)
The first step in my journey that assured me I was on the right path was when I was invited to attend the Time Travelers Sewing Guild. Now there’s no secret initiation into the group. You just show up to the monthly meeting and work on your Viking gear, Victorian bustle, etc.
The collective knowledge of the group could fill several encyclopedias. I am thankful they have taken me under their wing ready and willing to share their knowledge. I have lost count of the times they have assisted me in making my sewing dreams come true.
It was at these meetings that I lost my heart to a machine.
Small But Mighty
Almost all of the Time Travelers own Singer Featherweights. At my first meeting, I stood mesmerized at the ability of these 11-pound gems. Their portable size, a fold-up extension bed, along with a sturdy carrying case, are just some of the reasons why they are often seen at sewing workshops and quilting retreats.
I asked A LOT of questions. But I needed to know more.
Between 1933 to 1969 over 2.5 million Featherweight machines were manufactured in Elizabethport, New Jersey, Kilbowie, Scotland, and St. John’s, Canada. The all-metal design easily allows for repairs. A big plus when compared to today’s plastic machines that are often considered “throw-aways” when they break down. Featherweight motors are top-quality and very quiet. For such reasons and more, these small but mighty workhorses were often passed down from one sewing generation to the next.
Well Designed
The early Featherweights sold before WWII were jet black with gleaming gold decals. They featured intricate Art Deco-inspired silver faceplates. The faceplates are sometimes referred to as “Egyptian Scrollwork”.
After WWII the faceplate featured a striped or striated design.
Although the machines are limited to straight stitching, various attachments make it possible to create buttonholes, ruffles, hems and more.
221 and 222 Featherweights
The machines came with serial numbers and metal badges. These hallmarks help immensely when trying to date and determine the original manufacturing plant.
The badges vary from year to year in design. They often commemorate special events.
The Centennial Featherweight is highly collectible. It marks the 100th anniversary of Singer machines.
The Holy Grail of Featherweights
In July 1953, the Singer 222k Free-Arm Featherweight was introduced in Europe, Australia, and Britain. A few were sent to Canada. This machine was not marketed in the USA. Just 100,000 machines were made.
The 222’s are almost identical to the original 221. But they have two additional and highly coveted features:
- Convertible Flat Bed into Tubular Bed or Free-Arm
The tiny free-arm makes sewing small seams such as sleeves and cuffs so much easier.
- Sew / Darn Lever
The feed dogs, a mechanism that “feeds” the material under the needle, can be lowered. This allows for free-motion embroidery and darning work.
A Godwink
In addition to wanting a travel weight machine, I had another wish. The size and simplicity of the featherweight make them perfect for teaching children to sew.
It was a machine I could bring along when working as a volunteer with Girl Scouts to introduce them to the wonders of sewing while assisting them in earning sewing patches and textile badges.
So I began scouring Craigslist, standing in the freezing cold at estate sales and even posting a plea on Facebook.
I lost count of the many times I was told the machine had “just sold”.
But if there was a badge in perseverance I was determined to earn it. Several times over.
A Chance Meeting
When I walked into the Vintage Sewing Center and Museum I was merely expecting an afternoon of enjoyment and learning. Mr. Binger, the owner was so welcoming and his knowledge is truly amazing!
There was also another gentleman at the museum. For a while, I assumed he was a museum employee or volunteer. Over the course of conversation I learned that he too was just visiting but had a heartfelt purpose.
His beloved wife of 40 years has recently passed away. She had been an avid quilter.
He and my friend Kelly determined that they had both grown up just a stone’s throw away from each other in New York.
It truly is a small world when we take the time to make conversation.
As we prepared to move the tour downstairs he announced that he was leaving.
He placed a piece of paper in my hand.
On it was written his name and phone number.
Then he said the following:
“I think I have the machine you are looking for.”
In return, I gave him my number and said to call anytime. That there was no rush.
Having been the caretaker for both my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother I knew it could be a difficult decision. Time and consideration needed to be given.
Julianne
Mr. G called two weeks later. I think our first chat lasted for almost an hour.
It’s no secret that I am by all accounts a touchy/feely individual.
But I am also a curious writer.
I wanted to know all about Mrs. G and how she came to sew as well as collect sewing machines.
He shared with me that it was important to him to know where the machine would be going.
I totally get that.
Another two weeks passed by. A few more phone calls transpired.
Then once again I was driving to Tulsa.
I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to Mr. G for allowing me, a virtual stranger, into his home.
For letting me see his beloved wife’s treasures.
In the featherweight community, sewing machines are often named.
I am delighted to introduce you to my “Julianne”.
I now happily join the legions of Featherweight sewists and enthusiasts. A community consisting of caretakers of history.
Of course, as a Featherweight fan, I know they are like potato chips. You can’t have just one!
Here are a few other Featherweights I’d like the own.
There is the “White”.
As well as the “Celery”, sometimes referred to as mint or pale turquoise. It is my most favorite color in the world. It even graces the walls of my sewing room.
A 1968 model to mark the year of my birth would be amazing!
Until such a time that machine finds me, I am beyond happy to sew on my dear Julianne.
Laura
A Bigger Rabbit Hole
If you are interested in some good additional reading material here are a few of my favorite sites:
The Singer Featherweight Shop Blog
Threads Magazine
Sew A lot (I also enjoy Mr. Askaroff’s Youtube videos.)
Oh how exciting. I am so thrilled you now have your own Singer Featherweight. Congratulations!!!!!
I have always wanted one of these. What a fortuitous encounter–what I like to call a “God thing’. You, my friend, were meant to have that machine. My own mother had one of those and I learned to sew on it. After she passed, the sewing machine went to my brother. After his death, I don’t know where it ended up—hopefully, with someone that loves it.
Have fun sewing!!! Hugs- Diana
What a wonderful gift. My machine’s name is “Penny” because my dear friend Penny gave her to me because she was downsizing from a 3000 sq foot house to an RV. The machine was her mothers and it was built in 1936. I just love Penny and I try to sew on her everyday. I learned to take her apart and clean and oil her to keep her in tip top shape. I’m sure you will treasure your Julianne as much as I treasure my Penny. I’m also like you now I want more. I would love that mint green 1968 one too. I’m always looking. Love you bunches my sweet dear friend.
I’ve always believed in Godwinks. Rick and I met because of one. This story is incredibly precious to me. To have admired something for so very long, to understand it, desire it, know that its acquisition is perhaps unlikely is a quest. And we don’t always reach our goal in the quest. To have this happen — oh, it warms my heart so very much. You were the person for him as much as he for you — to be able to have your wonderful capacity for empathy, for listening, for hearing about his wife, for understanding — how that had to lift his heart and yes, help heal it some. I have a great feeling that you will be friends for life and that Mrs. G is smiling very broadly.
What a sweet, sweet story, Laura. A Godwink, indeed! I’m so glad this dream of yours is fulfilled.
Oh well, now you have done it! I didn’t think I would ever want another sewing machine…but those are so cute! ~Sigh!~ I should never have read this post! lol
Thanks for sharing your love of these dear little machines! 🙂
Oh, Laura! This just touched my heart in so many ways. What evidence of God’s leading, that you were both in the same shop at the same time. That he had just the machine you were looking for and that you were just the person to understand not only the worth of the machine, but the depth of his offer–someone who would treasure and use it. I’m sure this man’s wife would have wanted that. And what evidence of God’s love, that he would bring all of this together to meet the desire of two hearts.
Again, girl you have captured my attention and made me yearn for more of your prose. I LOVE your GOD WINK and I know that HE truly blesses us everyday. My Centennial came to me as a God Wink too. A lady at church overheard me talking about a trip to see my sewing buddies in another state and I lamented I wish I had a small Sewing machine to take with me. She told me she might have what I wanted. No idea it was a Featherweight let alone a Centennial. But it was. Best part was when I asked her how much, she told me oh I could make payments. That was so so sweet of her but I still needed to know price so I could budget and decide if I could afford payments. Eventually she just said oh the price is “$0”. LOL how do you make payments on “0” I love my Lillie Pearl which is the lady’s name. I see her every week at church and keep her up to date on Lillie Pearl’s escapades. Bless you and THANK YOU again for sharing. God Wink to you <3
Wow Lsura,
This is very touching story. How Mr. G cherished his wife is and was amazing. She was so important to him he made sure the posession of her machine was going to the right home.
Then taking about you going to meet him and learn more about her. I love these kinds of stories. This was fate.
I can’t believe you’re not a professional seamstress. Your sewing is amazing.
Thanks for sharing a great story.
Cindy
So you were able to get the 222K?!? How wonderful and so delightful for you❤️ I know you are as giddy as a toddler in a rain puddle.
Hi Laura,
It took me 10 years to come across a 222K Featherweight with all the attachments and it is one of my few real treasures. I am so HAPPY that you have yours now. Persistence is the first part of the secret to success and I think endurance goes hand in hand with persistence. Thank you for the links which I can’t wait to explore. I have a hard time deciphering pattern language, too. It makes me wild sometimes!
I am sure that man is so glad that the machine is going to be treasured and put to such good use – and when I think of Laura sitting for hours on end making those buttonholes – in Little Town on the Prairie, I think, – to a family of such distinguished sewists .
Laura, I learned to sew on a Singer Featherweight! My sister still has that machine and uses it! In fact, we recently had a conversation about our aunt’s Singer Featherweight that my sister wanted. Unfortunately is disappeared from my aunt’s belongings. Congratulations! I’m thrilled you found one for yourself. They are amazing little workhorses!
That’s so wonderful, and fitting in every sense of the word. As a vintage and antique dealer, the story is one for the boooks.
I too learned to sew on a Featherweight. However, I do not recall what happened to that little machine since I come from a large family and several households shared in using things like sewing machines, household items, tools, etc . I recall it being heavy (as a child, it seemed heavy when we pulled it out of the closet and set it up on the kitchen table.) I learned to do many sewing tasks, but my favorite was watching the buttonhole attachment do it’s “magical” thing.
What a sweet, sweet story about your Julianne! It was meant to be and you will be such a great caretaker of it. I never just really had to have a Featherweight. But one day at work, I joked that if I found one for $50, I would buy it. So my co-worker said she would sell me hers for $50. Talk about a shock! Then I found a Centennial at Goodwill for $20. The foot control/power card and bobbin case were missing, so I just had to take a chance on it. Well, it sews beautifully! A really good reference book is Featherweight 221 The Perfect Portable and Its’ Stitches Across History by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. Enjoy your machine!
I loved your story! I also own three featherweights, 2 black ones and one “celery”. Love them and use them regularly. Take them to classes and in my motorhome! Thank you for your wonderful story!
How wonderful for you Laura, and for the dear Gentleman who continues to love his wife through his actions. I love reading your God winks and am excited to see what you will create with Julianne. Cheers to your Happy Stitching!
xo
Love this story about your encounter and your wish fulfilled. So sweet.
Given your touching account and reading all the wonderful posting; I felt it was appropriate that I add to this story. It was my wife Julianne’s featherweight that found such a great home and caretaker. That specific machine (the 22K) was the prized Featherweight of her collection (7 total Featherweights: 1 Wilcox & Gibbs). It blessed me to know that God would arrange for someone special to have it and put it good use. Julianne would have said this was a perfect story for a Hallmark Movie. Yes, she (and I) watched ALL of those Hallmark movies (including “GOD WINK”), she especially loved those during Christmas time. After 40 years of marriage I miss her greatly. Please know that Julianne was a woman of faith and my comfort is knowing that Heaven is her home now. Laura, again, thank you so much for making the effort to travel here and sharing this story. Keep blessing others by what you do (your creations) and who you are (your kindness) Gratefully, Mr G.
Mr G. here again; my apologies for several typos: (e.g., wonderful posting[s]; [2]22K; put it [to] good use) in previous posting/reply. Sometimes it can be difficult to focus; especially with something so personal; and, especially at 5AM before a second cup of strong tea.
Agree completely with Laura’s endorsement regarding the Vintage Sewing Center and Museum in Tulsa. It truly is an amazing place. Laura gave a phenomenal description with great photos and links to short videos. For sewing enthusiasts (and anyone really); a visit in person is well worth the investment of time. Wayne (founder; manager, & tour guide) is both passionate and knowledgeable about the history of and practical use of these beautiful machines. Also, as Laura noted; it is a hands-on experience for people of all ages. When my Granddaughters come to visit this spring or summer, I think they will love it and it will help them appreciate Julianne’s legacy. God Bless, Mr G.