Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine Manual
Singer Featherweight 221 222 Manual & Service Manuals - how to operate, oil and maintain your machine. Download for free or order a hard copy for tangibility. Mar 22, 2017 - Although any 221 manual will do for 221 machines (the same for 222K. A manual in order to run, service and sew with your Featherweight.
This little dynamo made home sewing possible for many more people. The home sewer who lived in cramped quarters that did not have ample space for separate pieces of furniture to house a sewing machine could purchase a Featherweight, stow it away in a closet or cabinet until it was needed and then tuck it away when the job was done.
At A Glance The Singer 221 is the successor to the Sewhandy sewing machine manufactured and sold between 1928 and 1938. The original manufacturer of the Sewhandy was the Standard Sewing Machine Company, based in Cleveland. Singer 221 known as Singer Featherweight Despite rumors that the Singer Manufacturing Company as it was known back then bought out Standard in order to get the rights to the Sewhandy, the Featherweight stands on its own merit.
In fact, Standard Sewing and the Sewhandy were sold several times before Singer made the acquisition. Having established these facts, the truth is the people who designed the Featherweight were undoubtedly inspired by the Sewhandy. The Featherweight incorporated all of the advantages of the Sewhandy, but none of its disadvantages. Both the Featherweight and the Sewhandy were known for their portability, wooden square shaped carrying cases. Singer, however, added lots of improvements that made it a far more desirable machine. For instance, oiling the Sewhandy required manipulation of several screws where the Featherweight called for the loosening and then retightening of just one thumb screw. Singer also added numbers to the tension dial, making setting and adjusting tension more precise than the guessing game of adjusting tension on the Sewhandy.
Singer 221 side view The Featherweight also had a lighter weight aluminum base and an easier to manipulate bobbin case. Perhaps, the most significant improvement was the addition of the flip up workspace that Singer added to the left side of its Featherweight. This single feature made a huge difference in the ability for the home sewer to work comfortably on almost any surface. Though the Featherweight was designed primarily as portable machine, Singer offered tables and cabinets for permanent mounting. Although the Featherweight was sold in other countries, tables and cabinets were offered in North America only. During World War II, when manufacture of sewing machines and all things metal was restricted, some of the sewing machines were made with blackened parts rather than chrome as used on earlier models.
Another change during World War II production was the crinkle or matte finish. This finish was used on earlier models, such as some Singer 66, 99 and 128 table or cabinet mounted treadle and electric models. The standard blackside Singer 221 Featherweight has a shiny black patina with gold decals. The first Featherweight 221 was produced in Elizabethport, NJ in 1933 and unveiled at the Chicago World’s Fair. It was an instant hit and remained the most popular sewing machine produced by the Singer Sewing Machines Company for many years.
Production of the 221 ended in 1961 when sewing machines with more bells and whistles began outpacing demand for the Featherweight with its simple, unsophisticated and down-to-earth functionality and design. This particular machine is on its third owner.
The current owner inherited it from her grandmother, who inherited it herself when her best friend passed away. The owner, a former sewing instructor has several sewing machines, but relies upon the Singer 221 almost exclusively for her own personal use.
She likes it so much, in fact, that she went out of her way to secure another one just like it to use for spare parts as her favorite machine ages and parts wear out and need to be replaced. The first thing you notice is the mere size of this machine. It’s smaller by far than today’s portables, but don’t let the size fool you. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in performance. The next thing to catch your eye is the flip up leaf that opens to give you a workspace that is almost as large as the machine itself.
Flip up leaf to provide workspace The built in lamp is located on the front of the 221 Featherweight as opposed to the compartment above the needle like modern machines and is turned on and off by flipping a toggle switch located on the lower right hand side of the machine. Be careful, the metal housing gets extremely hot when the light is left on for extended periods of time. If you happen to touch it, you could get scorched. Use extreme caution when working with synthetic fabrics. The heat is probably not hot enough to cause any serious damage, but why take chances.
You could always simply place a small lamp next to the machine and leave the light turned off. Features This Singer 221 Featherweight sewing machine is a standard blackside model, with the shiny black patina. The gold decals look like new. Anyone could easily tell that this machine has been well cared for over the years by just taking one look at it.
The original carrying case was lost some time ago. To protect the machine from environmental dust and dirt when it is not in use, the owner stores in a soft zippered case to protect it when not in use. Working on the Singer 221 Featherweight Threading the Singer 221 takes a few more steps than threading a newer sewing machine, but it is not rocket science. Even if you do not have a manual to give you step by step directions, anyone with more than just a basic knowledge of operating a sewing machine can figure it out without a lot of trouble. The one trick is that the needle is inserted with the flat side facing in toward the machine.
As a result, for optimum operation, you must thread the needle from the inside out rather than from the outside in as with today’s machines. Adjusting the tension could take a few minutes if you are unaccustomed to doing this for yourself. Winding the bobbin Winding the bobbin is easily achieved by placing the bobbin on the spindle next to the tread spool pin and loosening the balance wheel before engaging the foot pedal. Once the bobbin is threaded, slip it into the bobbin casing and slip it into place beneath the flip up leaf. The 221 Featherweight will give you just one single straight stitch. You can, however, regulate the stitch length by adjusting a lever on the right side of the machine. The seam guide on the throat plate, a novel idea at the time this machine was designed, makes it easy for the home sewer at any lever of experience.
Despite its size, the Singer 221 Featherweight is capable of sewing approximately 1,000 stitches per minute and the quality of the stitches is superior to many more modern machines. I can neither confirm nor deny the speculation that the 221 Featherweight actually sews 1,000 stitches in a minute except to say that when I stepped on the foot pedal, this old sewing machine took off at lightning speed and the stitches are strong yet at the same time delicate in appearance.
Strong and delicate in appearance stitches It is sturdier than expected. There is absolutely no vibration and when it’s running, you actually forget that it is as small as it is. When the Singer 221 Featherweight is not in use, it should be stored where it is shielded from dust and dirt. All pressure should be released, meaning the needle should be in the down position, the presser foot down and the light switch turned to the off position. Fabrics. Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool. Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet.
Knits. Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester.
Upholstery. Leather/suede. Fur. Reptile skin.
Canvas/Twill. Plastic/Rubber. Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Accessories Since this particular machine was passed along twice before landing in the hands of its current owner, some of the original components may have been lost along the way.
The manual, original carrying case and accessories case have been either lost, misplaced or left behind long ago. However, that minor technicality hasn’t deterred the owner one iota. According to, the list of accessories included with a brand new Singer 221 Featherweight consisted of:. Ruffler. Edge Stitcher.
Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine Serial Numbers
Gathering Foot. Foot Hemmer. Adjustable Hemmer. Darner/Embroiderer 221. Darner/Embroiderer 222.
Tuck Marker. Braider. Multi-slot Binder. Zipper Foot.
Bias Gauge. Cording Foot. Quilting Foot It is entirely possible that this Singer 221 Featherweight did not have all of these attachments when it was first sold. And since the machine was in production for nearly 30 years, some of the accessories on this list may or may not have been available when her machine was made. After all, the current owner has no idea how old her machine is. All she can confirm is that her grandmother had it for many, years before she got it back in the 1960s. As far as anyone knows, her Singer 21 Featherweight could have been around since 1933 or it could have been manufactured anytime between then and 1961.
Maintenance After each use Monthly. Once Each Year. As Needed Clean race hook and feed dogs Wipe head with soft dry cloth Wipe head with soft damp cloth Lubricate Service by sewing machine repair professional.more often if the machine is used heavily or if it is not operating properly NOTE: There are many more oil points on this machine than modern sewing machines. This is no doubt due to the fact that the entire machine is made of metal. According to a manual found on the internet, the Singer 221 Featherweight should be oiled every day if it is in constant heavy use. The manual cautions that all moving parts should be covered by a light film of oil at all times and that it never be allowed to dry out.
Letting the oil dry up completely on a Singer 221 Featherweight could result in the machine rusting, seizing of parts and permanent damage. Tying Off The Loose Ends The Singer 221 Featherweight is quite possibly one of the most reliable portable sewing machines one could imagine. The one and only drawback is the fact that it is not capable of giving you all of the fancy stitches that newer machines can render.
I wouldn’t say that threading it and adjusting the tension is a breeze, but you don’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar to get the job done. Once the threading and tension adjustment hurdles are cleared, the novice sewer will be just as happy sewing on this machine as the home sewing veteran who has been sewing for decades.
A machine this old requires a bit of special care. If you are not well-versed in oiling and cleaning an older sewing machine, it would be a good idea to befriend a sewing machine repair professional in your area. Depending upon how often you use your Singer 221 Featherweight, you may want to consider establishing a schedule for taking your machine in for servicing. This way, you will be sure to get as much service form your Singer 221 Featherweight as possible.
The Singer 221 Featherweight is obviously durable. It has withstood the test of time. One cannot help but wonder how may sewing machines manufactured in the twenty-first century will still be around and in constant use after 80 years. The Featherweight model that we looked at today is not a sewing machine that is used by a casual home sewer. The Singer Featherweight we saw recently is used by someone who is considered by many to be a sewing professional. She taught countless high school and middle school students how to sew. Now that she is out of the classroom, she chooses to sew on a machine that could easily have been around longer than her parents.
After witnessing this machine go through its paces, there is no doubt in this reviewer’s mind that with proper care, this Singer 221 Featherweight will be around long enough to be passed along to many more generations of home sewers.
BUY REFURBISH SELL We buy Singer Featherweight 221 and 222 portable sewing machines in any condition and bring them back to life in our Singer Featherweight shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. If possible, we will restore them with new replacement parts as close to original and some we fully restore and repaint in custom colors.
These machines are quality, low maintenance machines made in the 30’s-60’s and because of their size and quality are wonderful for quilters who travel with their sewing machine and take their machines to classes or retreats. With 20+ years experience quilting, teaching, working with and working on Singer Featherweight 221 and 222 machines, we love to see these well-built machines continue to make perfect little stitches and as a result live a new life as a great portable machine for quilters for years to come. We love seeing new and experienced quilters share in the joy of sewing with these classic vintage machines.
Sewing machines are just not made like they were 50+ years ago. With all metal construction and simple mechanics, Singer Featherweight machines were well built with quality parts and as a result, if well restored and maintained, can operate just as they did when they were new in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Darlene has had the idea to launch this website and grow this online shop for years. From the first Featherweight machine that Andy bought for Darlene, she and Andy certainly knew they had their hands on something special. Now they want to help give new life to these machines and share everything they know about Featherweights with others.
Featherweight Spa Day Self -Maintenance Class Workshops Modern Quilting Phoenix, AZ. Saturday, August 18: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm – Mesa AZ Near Val Vista and Baseline. Wednesday, August 22: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm – Call or to Register. Wednesday, August 22: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm – Call or to Register Woodinville, WA at the Grange hosted by.
Wednesday July 25: 10:30 – 4:00 pm – Call or to Register Kent, WA at. Monday July 30 10:30 – 4:pm – Quilt Shows 2018 July 27, 28, 29 Cedar Heights Middle School 19640 SE 272nd Covington, WA August 9, 10 Show Low/Pinetop Quilt Show “For The Love of Quilts” St.
Mary’s Catholic Church 1915 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop, AZ October 12, 13 Rim Country Quilt Roundup Show Mazatzal Hotel and Casino Exhibition Hall Payson, AZ 2019 March 21, 23rd, 2019 Mesa Convention Center, Mesa AZ June 30 – July 1 Thumb Butte Quilt Show Prescott Valley, AZ Guest Speaking Engagements June 3 at 7 pm Lonesome Valley Quilt Guild 8123 E Manley Dr Prescott Valley, AZ. DARLENE OWNER quilter, long-arm quilter, instructor Darlene has over 20+ years quilting, long-arm quilting, and working with and on Singer Featherweight machines. She is also a nationally recognized machine quilting and Featherweight maintenance instructor and therefore she loves equipping quilters with new skills for making quilts and using their sewing machines, especially Featherweight machines. ANDY OWNER restorer, servicer, teacher, technologist Andy is a troubleshooter by nature.
He loves working in the shop, figuring out why things don’t work and repairing machines sometimes with replacement parts to achieve their top operating performance. He also is a tech geek and loves figuring out new processes to help restore, repair and maintain Singer Featherweights. Additionally, he enjoys seeing people learn to self-maintain their own machines. COLE servicer, restorer, photog, videographer Cole helps with all areas of the restoration and service processes including cleaning and installing replacement parts, but his passion is photo and video.
He took most of the photos on this site and will be shooting all of our instructional videos and videos for our newsletter. He always has great ideas and therefore we have implemented many great ideas for the online shop and website. REAGAN design assistant, queen of fun Reagan is a full-time ballerina, but also has a wonderful eye for design and colors. She helps pick the beautiful colors that are used to paint machines as well as the color of the decals used. She is also our initiator of fun in the shop. If things get too serious, she is always there to help us remember if it isn’t fun it’s not worth doing.
GREG and NANCY quilter, restorer, servicer, book-keeping Nancy has been a quilter for many years and Greg has worked in customer service and technical skills his whole life. Greg and Nancy bring a wide range of skills to help Featherweight Doctor and their experience is a valuable resource to the team.