Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine

This is the perfect sewing machine for anyone just learning to sew; it is a simple, easy to use machine. Since all the parts are metal and replaceable, it is nearly indestructible. It does not do any fancy stitches or zigzag, but for simple straight stitch sewing and repairs, I highly recommend it. Not only is it a great little machine, it is a beauty and a testament to days of old when machines were beautiful and functional. The small size and light weight also make the machine ideal if you need a portable machine. While this model is no longer in production, the Singer company still has plenty of support available online, including the manual available for reprinting. This machine has a great following online, too, with various websites and blogs that provide lots of information for Featherweight owners. My only regret is that I waited as long as I did before purchasing one; I wish I'd bought it years ago!

My first sewing machine was a Singer Featherweight. I loved this little beauty then and still do. I even love the lovely humming sound it makes. My mom traded the first one on a fancier machine for my 16th birthday, but I never forgot it. Now that I am into quilting, I have two of them, one that looks just like my original, and another centennial model produced for Singer's 100th birthday. I also have other high end modern machines from Viking, Bernina, Pfaff and Baby Lock and have compared straight stitches, side by side. I used the same thread and stitch length. The Featherweight won, hands down. Its straight stitch seems to become one with the fabric, flush with the fabric and perfectly locking the 2 layers together without pulling or puckering of any kind. You can tug on the first stitch and it will remain there. The other machines produced a line of stitches that lie fractionally above the surface of the fabric, and often either the top thread or the bobbin thread may go a tiny bit off or slanted. On some when you tug the tail of the first stitch it will unravel. The Featherweight's stitches are perfectly straight, as that is the only thing the machine was designed to do. So that is my machine of preference for quilt piecing. It is also so sturdy (all metal parts) while being light weight that it is perfect for taking on a trip or to classes. Do not expect it to produce fancy stitches of any kind without bulky attachments, and due to its tiny frame there isn't much room for much bulk to the right of the needle. Use your larger model machines for that. On the other hand, it is the only machine I've used where you can alter the stitch length infinitely while you are sewing using the stitch length lever as well as change from forward to reverse with the same lever. No other button or dial necessary. You pre-select the stitch length by turning a screw on the lever. So you can begin a line of stitching with a few mini stitches to lock them, then lower the lever to the pre-selected length, or flip it all the way up to that same length in reverse to lock them and then flip it down again to continue sewing forward, all without slowing down. You can count on the Featherweight to become a cherished and reliable friend.

I did not know that they existed until I found one at eBay, now I think this is one of the best sewing machines ever made by SIMANCO, The Singer Manufacturing Co.

Singer Featherweight 221’s
Machine weight Aprox: 11 Lbs
Total Length extention bed open: 15 inches
Total Width: 7 inches
Total Height: 10 inches
Foot controller: 95-145 Volts 0.7 Amperes
Auxiliary light: 15 Watts Bayonet type Bulb
Stitch length 6 to 20 x inch (stated from SIMANCO)
Motor: 0.450 Ampere, 110-120 Volts for USA, Canada, Mexico, Centro and Sudamerica
Total weight including carrying case: 20-21 Lbs


221K from EUROPE has the same features but the motor is 220 - 250 Volts and it can not be used in the USA, Canada, Mexico or Centro and Sudamerica unless you attach to it a POWER CONVERTER

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A GENERAL REVIEW ABOUT THE SEWING MACHINE SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT 221, IF YOU ARE READING BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BUY A MACHINE LIKE THIS, PLEASE REFFER TO THE SELLER'S DESCRIPTION AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE SPECIFIC MACHINE YOU ARE LOOKING AT, PAY ATTENTION TO THE PICTURES AND ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU WANT BEFORE YOU BUY OR BID

IF YOU DON'T SEE CLEAR PICTURES YOU MAY WANT TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY OR BID:
Does the motor works?
Does it comes with bobbin case?
Does the Foot pedal or Speed controller is not cracked or broken and the condition of the cable frayed or bristled?
Bakelite Receptacles and connectors are not chipped or broken?
Does the carryng case is strong or it has hidding issues?

A SEWING MACHINE SOLD AS IS, MEANS THAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU BOUGHT YOU MUST KEEP IT AGAINST YOUR WILLING

There is a wide variety of sewing machines but the featherweight 221 is the number one in its class, this machine it’s probably the best machine you’ll find ever. Do not expect it to produce fancy stitches of any kind, the 221 machines don't have the bells and whistles neither dials or preloaded stitches for decorative purposes on your gartments, the Singer Featherweight 221 is a straight stitch machine only and it can produce zigzag by attaching a device called zigzagger that you can buy at eBay too, these machines can do buttonholes with an attachment called buttonholer, there are more attachments that you can buy by separated to make ruffles, binding, hemming or gathering, cording, etc., etc., if you think about the old years there were no fancy machines but straight stitch machines only and however seamstress and tailors made the best suits even for Kings.
The Singer 221 rarely comes out of timing, its all metal construction makes of this machine one of the best machine to sew light weight and heavy fabrics with ease, the straight stitches it makes perfectly locks the 2 layers together, I have sewn up to 6 layers of heavy denim. The Featherweight will produce a high quality straight stitches, you can easily setup the stitch length with its handy stitch control lever right in front of you which is the same lever to activate the reverse feature, also its light weight construction makes it perfect for taking on a trip or to sewing classes, there is about 5 inches room to the right side of the needle, you can buy a 221 anywhere just make sure that it’s working and you won’t have to pay extra money to repair it. If you want to explore the wonderful art of sewing, you might want to try a featherweight, you'll love them

My sister has a singer featherweight and really likes it. Well I finally got one, then another one and then a 301. I have to use restraint to keep from bidding on every one I see on ebay and often wonder how I got along without one for 70 years. It is fantastic. I have 9 sewing machines and would trade off 6 of other brands for the 221. It is all you need other than a serger and a machine that zig zags. I love the big working area. It runs so quiet that you can watch tv and hear what is going on. One came from Craigs list and would not sew. I took it to some one to repair it and he said he couldn't repair it because he couldn't get the screw loose to adjust the timing, but he still charged me $42.50. I got out a manual I had ordered on ebay and had it working in about 15 min and didn't need to get the screw loose. First problem was it had a wrong needle in it. A few more adjustments and it was sewing perfect. I would like at least one more machine as my goal is to make 100 charity quilts, but then again the machine probably wont't be worn out then anyway. Too bad Singer didn't keep making them and not change the quality.

I took it to college with me in the early 70's and told my mother she would never see it again. She gave me the receipt for it as a college graduation present, as she knew she really would never see it again. (She paid $100 for it, which was a FORTUNE at the time!)It made all of my clothes from the time I was a baby in the 50's until about 1990, when I added a second machine that could zigzag. About 15 years ago, I replaced the motor, and was able to find a company from which one can get authentic replacement parts. I now own many machines, and do much of my sewing on stretch fabrics, so it doesn't get the use it once did. There has never been a finer machine made to straight stitch.