Singer 221 Featherweight

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Singer 221 Featherweight

by Judy
(Stamford, CT)

The only time I have used anything else besides my Singer 221 Featherweight sewing machine was in Home Ec 40 years ago. I took this to sewing class with me, to college, and have now started using it again.

My only problem is that I don't know if there are any accessories for it and can't find replacement bobbins. They are all too large. I don't mind doing things manually, but a zig zag would be a novel addition.

I am trying to do some crafts with zig zag. I've always just used a straight stitch before but blanket binding has me slightly stymied. I thought it had broken down about 2 months ago but discovered that the needle needed replacing. It probably hadn't been done in many years.

The Singer 221 Featherweight looks great and works great. The only reason I'm even thinking of getting something newer is that I think I might finally need a zig zag stitch. Bummer!

I might keep this one even if I do get another. I brag to everyone about my antique Singer in its original case that still has its original oil can and manual and parts box.

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Singer 221 Featherweight

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Jul 02, 2010
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You have a real gem that is worth finding the parts for!
by: Anonymous

Judy, you have a much sought after machine. Especially among quilters who love to take these to classes and guilds-it very nice and portable.
can find accessory parts for your featherweight -you can google it and there are a few sights including ebay that most likely will have what you need.
There also is a couple of websites dedicated to Vintage Singer sewing machines that can give you a lot of information.

Jul 02, 2010
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Thanks!
by: Judy

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look!!

Dec 10, 2010
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Singer featherweight 221
by: Anonymous

Love my Singer featherweight 221. Use it for classes and quilt retreats and almost exclusively for quilt piecing. On the other hand, I have just thrown out another Singer - 2 years old and with a 2 year warranty. Just another example of out disposable society.

Have replaced it with a similarly priced non-computerized Janome which just arrived today. I have owned a Janome embroidery machine for a couple of years and have found it reliable. Hope my new one is the same. Have given up on Singers as features on my throw away became non-functioning and just plain breaking when that machine was less than a year old...

Jan 05, 2012
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My Singer Featherweight NEW
by: Judy

Hard to believe but I found my pristine Singer Featherweight sewing machine in the garbage !! It worked perfectly; the carrying case was in perfect condition, had bobbins/needles and many of the accessories and the original manual (1954). That was about 20 yrs ago and I can't tell you how many quilt tops and other projecs I've sewn on this little gem. I have semi-retired it in favour of a newer model with more variety of stitches but still use it occassionaly. Singer certainly knew what they were doing when they designed and built the Featherweight. Quality seems to have disappeared in products over the years.

Jan 05, 2012
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Non-quilting projects NEW
by: Judy

I see that most of the comments regard quilting projects. Unfortunately I do not quilt! I do more crafts which can involve thick, heavy material. I also stitch in the middle of large pieces of fabric (which I can usually manage) Perhaps one of you has an additional machine that you use that might fulfill these requirements and have a variety of stitches. I'd be interested in knowing about them. Of course I mean something reliable that won't break down in a year!
Thanks for all the comments!

Feb 20, 2012
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BOBBINS NEW
by: Anonymous

I find Featherweight bobbins at Hancock's. Don't ever get rid of it! They are treasures!

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