Sometimes older is better

As I work to finish some toddler clothes for summer and fall, a pin that fell into my Bernina 735 resulted in a trip to my local sewing and quilting store. This meant that my main sewing machine was out of commission for about a week. Anyone who takes sewing seriously knows how this can result in a really grumpy seamstress. My husband recommended that I pull out my Singer Featherweight (model 221). Last Christmas, he bought me a large number of sewing feet for this machine and reminded me that all those old gowns I had seen and loved on-line were likely sewn on a machine not unlike this one. I took out my Featherweight and asked him to make sure that it was properly lubricated, a task that took him about 15 minutes. Then I wound a new bobbin and went to work.

What I experienced was nothing short of therapeutic. Gone was the display screen, need to call out stitch widths, stitch lengths, program feet numbers, digitally set tensions, and the need to worry about a number of sensors and what they all mean. Don't misunderstand, I love my Bernina and would recommend it to anyone. It's a great machine, and with the ability to move the needle and zig-zag, it can do stitches that the Featherweight couldn't even dream about. But, there is something to be said for a machine that gives you feedback in the very way it feels, where you can turn one dial or move one lever and feel the machine change as it responds to what your mind wants it to accomplish. While my Bernina will be back on my sewing table in short order, this little Singer Featherweight will not be once again relegated to its case in the corner. It has earned a place in my sewing area where it will be readily available, and if you think it can't do much, you would be surprised at the feet and what this machine really can accomplish. Yes, I can even do button holes and zig-zag!

My collection includes a 1969 Kenmore, a Singer 301 and a Singer 401 in addition to my Featherweight and my Bernina 735. I'm going to have to set aside some time to take out the 401 and 301 and give them a try. I do use the Kenmore and have discovered that it is not a great machine for thin fabrics like Batiste but excels when using thicker fabrics like quilting fabrics, flannel, corduroy, etc.

Happy Sewing