The classic Singer Featherweight sewing machine is very popular today with quilters and collectors. Find out why.
From its introduction at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 until production ended in the mid-1960s, thousand of Singer Featherweight 221 sewing machines were produced. Made of cast aluminum, the majority were lacquered black and decorated with Singer’s signature golden decals. These durable little machines and their cases remain as popular today as they were 50 years ago.
Singer Sewing Machine Company Built it Small but Tough
As the name suggests, Featherweights are small and lightweight, tipping the scales at just slightly over eleven pounds. This lightweight portability contributes to their popularity, but it is the craftsmanship that has allowed the machine to endure over time, and develop a devoted following. The Featherweight is a simple, straight-stitch machine requiring only simple do-it-yourself maintenance. The owner's manual, now available online, shows how to oil key wear points on the machine’s all-metal construction. Other than replacing a drive belt once in a great while, and storing the machine in a reasonably dry place, nothing else is needed to keep it sewing for decades.
Featherweight Books
It is rare to find a home appliance that has had two books written about it. Nancy Johnson-Srebro’s widely available book, Featherweight 221, The Perfect Portable, chronicles the sewing public’s love affair with Featherweights, and includes troubleshooting tips as well as portions of the original owner’s manual.
David McCallum of FeatherWeight Rx, has written a must-have book for the die-hard Featherweight fan titled, The Featherweight and I. This spiral-bound manual is a compendium of everything anyone could ever want to know about maintaining a Featherweight. There are chapters on restoring the electrical, mechanical and cosmetic features of the machine, including how to repaint it so it will look factory fresh once again. The book contains dozens of precise, well-labeled illustrations that make the easy-to-follow directions even clearer.
Featherweight Web Sites
Several websites are devoted to the restoration, maintenance and use of Featherweights. A few offer restored or “as is” machines for sale, and some sell replacement parts such as drive belts, bobbins and bobbin cases, presser feet, decals and more. Dan Utich at 221Part.Com has an easy to use online catalog of Featherweight parts. Glenn Williams maintains a spartan one-page web site that lists 55 Featherweight replacement parts and their cost, but he advises restorers to contact him since he can supply any part needed for a Featherweight.
Featherweight Machines on Ebay
At any given time there are usually a dozen or more Featherweights for sale on eBay. Though the machines originally sold for around $100, they now routinely go for three to four-hundred dollars, with rarer machines bringing a $1000 or more.
Based on the popularity of this machine, and the high quality of its construction, Featherweights will likely be humming along for another 50 years or more.
The copyright of the article Singer's Featherweight 221 Machine in Sewing/Needlework is owned by Sheila Gaquin. Permission to republish Singer's Featherweight 221 Machine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I own a Feathrweight. I have lost the bobbin holder. Is there any hope
of finding one? WHat kind of money are we talking about?
May 8, 2008 8:26 AM
Sheila Gaquin :
Oh yes! There is more than hope, there is a certainty that you can replace
your bobbin case.
Contact Glenn Williams on the website
highlighted above. He has some bobbin cases listed for the Featherweight
221, for $59. Also, Dan Utich's site address above is missing an
"s". It should be 221parts.com. He no doubt has bobbin cases
too.
good luck.
Aug 27, 2008 8:31 PM
Guest :
If anyone is interested I have two featherweight 221's for sale. One black
and one white. mr.cleannw@hotmail.com
Sep 1, 2008 10:00 AM
Guest :
What can I use to give luster and shine back to the body of the machine?
Sep 1, 2008 5:57 PM
Sheila Gaquin :
To shine the body of your machine, see this article: http://antiquescollectibles.suite101.com/article.cfm/restore_featherweigh
t_221_finish
Sep 10, 2008 8:27 PM
Guest :
just curious if mr.cleannw@hotmail.com has sold his machines yet?
Nov 15, 2008 8:20 AM
Sandy :
We have a Featherweight that is in perfect running condition. It has its
case and all the original attachments. The decal on the machine is still
in tact as well. We did replace the wire, as the original has dried and
cracked. We would like to sell it now because it is sitting idle, and I am
sure it would be happier if put to use. Please contact me if you are
interested.
Nov 17, 2008 12:32 PM
Guest :
Hi I have a 221 Featherweight all complete with case original instruction
manual in excellent condition. It is a 1957 model last year production.
Serial number starts with AM 77---- I also have 6 accessories one bobbin
original needles etc. I inherited this beautiful piece of art. will go
on e bay soon. guimondmarcel@sympatico.ca
Dec 11, 2008 1:09 PM
Guest :
I have owned a white featherweight since 1969, and, no, it is not for sale.
However, thesewbox.com is a good resource for attachments, advice, machines
and some unusual vintage items related to the machine.
Dec 30, 2008 10:21 AM
Guest :
Hello, My daughter just received her Grandmother's Fetherweight for
her 10th birthday. Everything seems to be in working order except for the
tension. When we attempt to stitch we end up with looping stitches on the
bottom of the fabric. Is this the upper tension or the bobbin tension? We
downloaded the owners manual and my husband checked over the whole machine,
the tension seems to be the only problem. Any suggestions? Thank
you in advance!
Jan 2, 2009 7:13 PM
Sheila Gaquin :
Your daughter's Featherweight doesn't have a problem with the tension. The
problem is with the bobbin case. Click on the article above that says
Common Featherweight 221 Problems.
Jan 30, 2009 9:35 AM
Guest :
I'd like to know the difference between and 221 and a 221-1? I have a 221
and absolutely love to sew on it. I have several machines and it's my
favorite.
Jan 30, 2009 9:36 AM
Guest :
I'd like to know the difference between and 221 and a 221-1? I have a 221
and absolutely love to sew on it. I have several machines and it's my
favorite.
Mar 6, 2009 2:13 PM
Guest :
Does anyone out there know how to change the belt on the #221 singer? This
machine has been in storage for years and was given to me by my mother. I
guess the belt has rotted from the storage. Thanks
Mar 27, 2009 4:07 AM
Guest :
so...what IS the difference between the 221 and the 221-1? I read the 221-1
has a 'series 3' motor; but need to know before ordering parts for my 221-1
machine.
Sep 8, 2009 5:16 PM
Guest :
The Featherweight that I bought on Ebay just arrived. It is in beautiful
condition and brings me back to my early years when I was learning to sew.
I am so excited to have one of my own!!
Sep 10, 2009 10:10 AM
Guest :
The Featherweight 221 is amazing. My mother bought the machine in 1960.
she traded in her manual singer model which she took from Myanmar to
London, England.in 1959. We, that is my mother and I, were thrilled with
our "electric" model. We sewed many a garment with it. I made
my wedding dress with it in 1964. the dress is long gone but that machine
is still going strong. Every time I visit my mother in London, she does
not sew any longer as she is 96 years young, I use it to repair lot of
items. The tension is still perfect. On my last visit in June 2009 I
constructed two jackets and sailed through. The belt is comming to the end
of its life because of the age but before I visit next year i will ask my
Singer Sewing rep, here in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada if he can get me
one and if i would be able to install it. regards, Kim Edwards,
4260, Thom Gdns, Mississauga, On. Canada.
Oct 3, 2009 8:46 AM
Guest :
I just found a featherweight 221-1 at a yard sale for really really
cheap...can someone let me know what its worth with out the attachments??
the machine is in great condition but the carrying box has seen better
days...looking forward to a response...i am from ontario canada
