This lovely little lady is 1934 Singer Featherweight school bell edition. If you look to the lower right of the sewing machine, you’ll see a silver plate. This is the bobbin tension device. It was dubbed a school bell because…well…it’s supposed to look like a vintage school bell. Yep, the bell’s missing here. It screws on the business end of the screw you see sticking out. School bells were made from 1933-1935 and are considered highly desirable by serious FW collectors.
I like to visit area estate sales for vintage sewing notions and kitchen ware – especially Pyrex. Normally FWs are prominently featured in an estate sale ad. Not this one. I just happened to be there because a couple of sewing friends told me about the massive Pryex collection for sale.
All I can say is that is the stars certainly aligned for this transaction to happen. After I looked over the FW, I left to go research options for replacing the missing school bell. If I could replace the missing part and if the FW was still there when I returned, it would be coming home with me – provided the FW was eligible for the 50% off last day discount. It was and the estate sale rep even took off an extra $50 to pay for half of the school bell replacement part.
A sewing machine repair shop label on the bottom of the machine indicates she once lived in the Tampa, Florida area. The cobwebs on the box and peanut butter like grease stuck on the gears tell me she was sitting in someone’s attic or utility room for quite some time. The sewing machine’s actually in great condition other than being extremely dirty. Her case is a hot mess on the exterior, but sturdy, clean on the inside and definitely restorable. BTW, she also sewed beautifully right out of the box.
I’m going to put my FW skills to work at servicing/cleaning the machine and restoring the case. The missing parts have already been ordered. We’ll see this 1934 FW gets flipped or I keep her and sell Jane to a FW restorer who’s looking for a 1935 transitional to repaint for client.
Anyway, this will project keep me busy and engaged for the next couple of months – exactly what I need right now! Inflation is putting the squeeze on everyone. Parents are definitely cutting back on extracurricular activities. I’m still teaching private sewing lessons/sewing classes, but it’s about half of what I did last year at this time. The profit from selling either of the FW machines will help offset not teaching as many sewing classes.
Come Stitch With Me 