Crafting with Andie: Singer Featherweight: A Great Straight Stitch in a Cute Little Package

Meet the Singer 221, also known as the Featherweight. Compared to other Singers of its day, this one is very light, tipping the scales at a mere 11.8 lbs. Packed in its case with all of its attachments, it still doesn't exceed 20 lbs, so I guess that's why they nicknamed it the Featherweight.

Quilters love it because it's cute, portable and creates a lovely straight stitch. The standard foot is also a good width for making 1/4" seams, the standard seam for quilting.

This Featherweight was created September 19, 1945. It came in a black case with all of its attachments and its manual.

Time for the Featherweight fashion show:

Inside the box is a little shelf that holds the attachments, bobbins, foot pedal and lubricant. I'm sure it could be more organized than this, but that's how I packed it last.

View of the inside of the top of the box. I find the abstract grey/black paper there retro and full of personality.

Inside bottom of box. Note the oil can on the left - there's a bracket made especially for the oil can. The markings on the right side of the cardboard match the veins on the bottom of the machine.

Front view of the 221

Close look at the stitch length adjustment lever and Singer badge.

Top view. It's very compact.

Top view with the extension table flipped up into "packing" position.

Front view with extension table flipped up.

Bobbin case underneath the extension table.

Lovely swirls on the side plate. Many of my other Singers have either straight lines here or they're plain. I adore the swirls and curliques.

Close up for detail on plate. The white dot is a little circle of felt glued to the screw that hold the plate on. The felt prevents the extension table from being scratched by the screw when it's folded up.

Back view of machine

A peek at the gearing underneath the plate that holds the spool pin. Don't forget to put oil in there!

Right Side view

Bobbin winder. This looks a little odd to me. I wonder if I'm missing a rubber piece that goes over that metal wheel? Most other Singers have a rubber "tire" that engages the wheel to wind bobbins.

View of the underside of the machine. Pretty good shape.

The serial number

Oil can that came with the machine. It was empty when I purchased the machine. I use a modern oiler because I don't want to damage the can by using it.

Some of the stuff that came in the case. Strangely enough there were TWO identical manuals. I also won't use the lubricant because it's vintage and might be rancid or worse.

The collection of attachments and tools that came with it. I find it interesting that there are two different size zipper feet.

Buttonholer with templates!! If you've never used one of these gadgets, they make a racket when you stitch the buttonhole. The attachment moves the fabric back and forth to create the zig zag stitches because the Featherweight (and most other machines of its generation) is a straight stitch machine. Each template is for a different size or style buttonhole. This one even came with the expansion pack of 4 additional templates.

This is the zig zag foot! Again, it moves the fabric back and forth to make the patterns. I haven't fiddled with this attachment, so I'm not sure how easy it is to switch among the patterns shown on top of the case.