Modern Marvels...AtoZ Letter M

A while back I mentioned Featherweight Sewing Machines. I think it was during my first time in The Grand Jury Room.   My Quilting Friend Cheryl commented, "Oh to have a Featherweight".   That got me to thinking about the Featherweights in the Grand Jury Room.  Who did they once belong to and how did they wind up in the Grand Jury Room?  I'll have to remember to ask Alma.

Before I take off for today's quilting at the Courthouse, I have to tell you why Modern Day Quilters, like Cheryl and I, wish for one, covet our neighbors' Featherweight, and think of them as Modern Marvels.

A Singer Featherweight was, is, and always will be the most reliable sewing machine ever made.  Made from the mid-1930's until the early 1960's, this machine was light as a feather (in comparison to it's counterparts) weighing only 11 pounds, and was then and still is, known for it's perfect stitch, simple mechanism, portability, and no matter what condition found in...will always work.  Between 1948 and 1959 there were 1,055,326 Featherweights manufactured.  You would think that would mean there would be plenty of them out there for Featherweight Collectors of today to find.  Not So!!!!

I have TWO...I know, I should feel bad knowing that Cheryl has none, but I don't...sorry Cheryl.  My road to ownership was long, arduous and the cause of  my first bout of *Syncope (pronounced Sin-ko-pee).  (be forewarned, especially if you are seeking a Featherweight...the following Journal entries may bring on a bout of Syncope)... read at your own risk...just sayin'.

Oct. 24-26,1998...Dear Quilt Diary...here it is the last day of the Houston Quilt Festival. I swear I have seen every one of the 1,000 quilts on display, including the award winners of $67,500 in prize money.  I have visited everyone of the 725 Vendor Booths, and finally found the Featherweight Booth #725...wouldn't you know.  Unfortunately, the only ones who could afford to buy one would have been among the Blue Ribbon winners with their share of the $67,500...I was not one.  The least expensive Featherweight was $425.00, and the most expensive was the 'Century Edition' of which only 100 were made...$1,200.00.  Needless to say I'm still without a Featherweight.

April 15, 1999...Dear Quilt Diary...Today I did something I've never done before...I went to a Pawn Shop.  I'd heard stories about **Pawn Shop Shysters and always steered clear of those places, but a friend told me this one was reputable, and I needed to find a used sewing machine.  Anyway, to make a long story short...there were no sewing machines on the shelves, so I asked the young man if they ever had any come in for sale.  He said there was one in the back, but it was really old, really dirty, probably didn't work, and not worth my time.  "I'll take a look at it.  It might clean up and won't cost too much to fix", was my reply.   "It's in a Black Box in the back, I'll see if I can find it", and off he went. 

Black Box!!! I started hyper-ventilating!!! 

 He came out with THE Black Box....a Featherweight Case!!! 

 I asked for a paper bag!!!  When I recovered, I nonchalantly said,

"Oh Yuck, it really is nasty, and like you said, probably doesn't work.  How much do you want for it?" 

He scratched his head and came up with, "How about 80 bucks?". 

 I began to feel lightheaded, but knew that Pawn Shopper's were expected to say, "Is that the best you can do?" 

 He rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, okay, it's been here forever, I need the cash....you can have it for $60."

I Syncopeed!!!

*Syncope...a sudden, brief loss of consciousness and posture caused by decreased blood flow to the brain.  Commonly known as fainting.
PS...Dear Quilt Diary....I almost forgot.  After a good cleaning and oiling, she worked perfectly....just like I knew she would.  I looked up the Serial Number...just curious as to her age...she's a Century Edition.  Am writing this while blowing in a paper bag....I feel faint.

PPS....Dear Readers....I don't want you to leave thinking I don't empathize with Cheryl over not having a Featherweight in her collection of Vintage Sewing Machines...I do.  Cheryl does most of her piecing on her Hand Crank and Treadle machines.  I Covet her RedEye, so in a way we are even.  She has graciously invited us over to Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting Blog for a look at a FEW of her Modern Marvels...in their day.  While there you will be treated to a 'Quilt Show'....don't miss the 'Dear Jane' entry in this show.  If you need a reminder about the Dear Jane quilt....my Letter J post...No Pain~No Jane.

Oh, I almost forgot....Alma has promised an Interview about the Grand Jury Room Featherweights.

**My appologies to Pawn Shop Owners...no offense meant...keep in mind this was before I knew about
 Rick, The Old Man, Big Hoss and Chumley on "Pawn Stars".
See ya tomorrow for the Letter N.