Featherweight 221

Chixarecute · #1 07/30/12, 08:37 AM

DH and I went to Marquette, MI yesterday. Along the way we stopped in Negaunee to browse through some antique stores. Lowenstein's had a Featherweight 221, black, in absolutely beautiful condition, with the case. and 10% off, too. Full price was $575. (I did not get it.)

You'll probably laugh, but having never seen one before, I was shocked at how small it is!

They are so perfectly scaled, you really can't tell from a photo just how small they are.

Our day trip was to celebrate our anniversary, 29 years today. We also ate at the Chophouse, browsed Art on the Rocks, walked in Lake Superior at Presque Isle Park (well, I did), and found a few agates. A wonderful day!

AngieM2 · #2 07/30/12, 08:57 AM

sounds like a great day.

The price of the 221 sounds about right for what I see online for those little jems. And they are small. But I've seen them sew and they are very neat.

And where you went sounds heavenly. I have a love for the UP.

countrysunshine · #3 07/30/12, 01:49 PM

You can get nice FWs on eBay for around $200. Keep looking and you may stumble on one somewhere. I really want one of the white (green) ones but I am not willing to pay $300 they are going for on eBay. My 1936 was <$170 with shipping and I love her.

ErinP · #4 07/30/12, 03:18 PM

I agree. FWs are still available for far less than $575!!

SpiderLegs · #5 07/30/12, 05:06 PM

Wow $575, I had mine on consignment for $100 with 20% mark up for the fees and it never sold.

AngieM2 · #6 07/30/12, 10:45 PM

I think the ones I've seen on ebay for the $575 is the perfect condition or cleaned and reconditioned ones.

Katskitten · #7 08/02/12, 05:30 PM

Featherweights have become sort of a cult thing. There were over 3,000,000 of them made. They were made from the 1930s to the 1960s in several countries, so they are not scarce.
Oh, and Alphasew makes or made replicas of them, so you need to be sure of what you are buying before you drop the coin on it.

Keep looking and don't be suckered into paying a king's ransom for one.
I got my wife one on Good Will auctions for around $285 and that included the shipping and handling. Nice little machine, but no where near worth $575.

Joe