Every month the Featherweight Shop hosts a Featherweight Faire where highly collectible machines are available for sale. Serious collectors have some deep pockets and the machines normally sell out fast – like within 5 minutes of going live. Prices have been steadily rising over the past couple of years and it hasn’t seemed to faze collectors. Today, there were still 3 machines available when I visited the site a couple of hours after the event began. Everything was sold when I checked back late this afternoon. Have prices finally reached the point where collectors are thinking twice before hitting the buy now button?
I belong to several vintage sewing machine groups on Facebook. If you want a rare or painted version, then yes, plan to pay handsomely for your item, whether you buy from the Featherweight Shop, Hipstitch ABQ or from a FB FW enthusiast group. If you want a regular plain old 221 Featherweight in decent condition that sews well, shop local or on FB Marketplace first. In my area, a black Featherweight in really good condition sells for about $450-$500 and a white one can be had for about $300 more. Tan Featherweights and free-arm versions (222) are a real rarity. $1200 for a tan and closer to $2000 for a 222 is not unusual. Featherweight Poppy in NC or Glenn Williams in Tampa, FL may be a resource for a decent machine at a reasonable price.
Thrift stores and estate sales are a fun way to hunt for Featherweights and accessories in the wild. You simply have to be knowledgeable about what you want to buy and be prepared to walk away if the item is way overpriced. I recently attended an estate sale specifically to view a hand-crank machine. The price was so far off the mark, it was ridiculous. Another buyer was also interested, but we both walked away because the seller refused to offer a price improvement. Yes, FW machines for $20 at a yard sale or Goodwill do exist, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Do your research so you can be prepared to purchase if an opportunity presents itself and the price is right. That’s how I acquired my 222 and Penguin foot.
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