When I married in 1958 one of our first purchases was a Singer featherweight. I sewed many frocks for myself and my daughter through the years and she is still using it. It is in great condition...works as good as when I bought it new. My mother-in-law also had one. It was much older than mine and it is still working, too.
I must admit that besides my passion for dolls, I absolutely love vintage Singer Featherweight sewing machines. I bought one about ten years ago and now find it very hard to pass one up if the price is reasonable. Consequently, I am finding it difficult to store them all in my sewing room. They are a wonderful simple sewing machine that Singer began manufacturing in the 1930's and continued until the mid 1960's. They are very popular with quilters for they are portable (small and reasonably light). They have now become very collectible. Depending on rarity and condition, they can demand hundreds of dollars. The basic black machine in very good to excellent condition (looks good and runs well) can cost an average of $300.00. Tan and white machines can be priced higher. The very hard to find free arm machine (I found one last summer at a flea market!) is also worth a lot more than the more common black version. These machines are very easy to maintain. Instructions on oiling and minor adjustments are explained in the Singer booklet that comes with the machine. Attachments also come with the machine, but I have never used any of them. I just really enjoy sewing with a machine that makes such a perfect stitch!!