The sticker price did not keep up with inflation- it was $145 in 1948 and remained $145 in 1950.

I miss Hengerer’s. I’m too young to remember the Singer Sewing Center on the second floor. I do wonder which slant model they were selling for $237.50 especially since the 301 Floor Model was going for $237.50 as well.

These prices! Even taking into account inflation. A singer featherweight for $4.50????

In today’s dollars that machine would cost about $687. But look! It is the start of the decline of the Singer Sewing Machines The newest Touch & Throw (opps TOUCH & SEW®) machines are available for $149.95. Buy the damn Featherweight® your grandchildren will love you for it.

That same machine? Would be almost $2,000 today.

Today’s dollars for that $19 used Featherweight? $168. Try finding a 1953 era Featherweight for $168 in today’s market.

I love that in 1954 Treadle Sewing Machines were still advertised (Newly manufactured machines to Treadle or handcrank are still available- they are typically sold domestically to Amish communities and internationally to developing countries)

As always a HUGE thank you to Fulton History who makes it so easy to find vintage ads (like these Singer Featherweight ads) to blog about.