Featherweight 221 by Nancy Johnson-Srebro

Author:Nancy Johnson-Srebro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C&T Publishing

Model 68 Cabinet in use

Photo by Dale Pickens and Bob’s Picture Box

What are they worth today? I’m going to say that I really don’t know. I’ve come across a very few of the Model 68 Cabinets in my travels, and none of them were for sale. However, in coming years more examples should come to light as people start looking for the “end table” that fits a Featherweight. And I’m sure some will start changing hands. This will give us something to go by when trying to establish their current value.

Who Made Them?

I’ve often been asked who made the wooden cabinets, tables, stands and sewing stools for Singer. There’s a prevalent feeling that they were manufactured by one or more suppliers. Several people have even written to me in hopes of locating a warehouse with long forgotten Card Tables or even parts. No . . . . the short answer is that Singer made most of them itself. This was dictated by high sales volumes and stringent quality specifications. Wood was used in the pre-plastics days and there was a huge demand for the forest resource. So, Singer had its own sawmill and cabinetwork plant, located in Thurso, Quebec. And, believe it or not, the volume of wood cut-offs and chips was so large that a small Kraft pulp mill was operated on the same site to process what would otherwise be waste.

My husband was traveling on business a few months ago and he was in Ottawa, Ontario. Thurso is located a few miles from there, so he visited the town. Frank talked with residents, former employees, and some folks who work at the present-day pulp mill and sawmill. He learned they were sold by the parent company many years ago, and are now separately owned. Both are doing well, although neither industry is apparently involved in the sewing machine woodwork business at present.

Utility Table Repairs

The Singer Card Tables and their Extension Sets were well designed and built and they’ve stood up well considering the rigors many were subject to over the years. Other than paint touch-up here and there, only two areas of repair are likely.

The first one is relatively simple. Once the insert is removed, the Featherweight presses into spring clips that position and hold it while in the Table. These clips were originally faced with leather or felt to protect the machine from scratching. On many tables, the facings are badly worn or even missing. Repairs can be easily made using leather from a discarded shoe, or felt that can be readily purchased. Most craft glues will do, just be sure to check the label to see if it’s good for leather/felt and metal.

The second problem is more serious and it merits long and careful thought. The top of the Card Table or Extension Set may be worn excessively, or its veneer may be delaminating. Now I’m not talking here about a few scratches, wear marks or even burns from hot cooking pans - these are reasonable and should be expected.

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