Singer Featherweight FAQs

A collection of frequently asked questions surrounding the Singer Featherweight... from "Is my machine a Featherweight?" to "What is my Featherweight worth?" to "I just got a Featherweight, now what do I do?"... and MORE!  This set of questions will be a great place to begin if you are wanting to...

The Importance of a Thread Stand on a Singer Featherweight

Learn about the various types of thread spools and why a Thread Stand is important for proper tension on a Singer Featherweight!   In the original days of the Featherweight, the only thread spools available were the wooden "stacked" spools, designed to spin as the thread was gently pulled strai...

Wobbly Rubber Bed Cushion Feet

What do your bed cushions look like on the bottom of your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222K?  Are they hard and brittle or are they pressed flat and full of lint and hair?  Either one is an easy fix and will help your machine maintain stability on the table as well as properly absorbing vibrations...

How to Fix a Floppy Bed Extension

For today’s hint, we will be discussing a floppy Featherweight bed.  This remedy is quick and easy and will keep your bed from flopping down too fast. (Note: This only applies to black and tan Featherweight Machines.  Singer cut a few manufacturing corners when they made the White Featherweigh...

Putting Your Machine Away

This Featherweight hint is actually a simple one but could save you some heartache just by being conscientious and a little bit careful with your Bakelite Terminal Receptacle. Did you know there is a proper way to put your Singer Featherweight away into your case?  Indeed there is.  Time and ...

Replacing the Needle Clamp & Thread Guide

When replacing the needle clamp or thread guide, sometimes it can be a bit tricky to get everything aligned just right.  This video tutorial will help you learn how to easily replace the needle clamp and thread guide on your Singer Featherweight 221 and 222K.  

Parts Diagram & Details

Click here for a free download of all the parts, screws, and mechanics to the Singer Featherweight 221.  Two full pages are included for easy reference.

Featherweight Shop Maintenance, Service and Repair

Featherweights need to be serviced annually, which includes oiling, lubricating and setting tension. On that note, we highly recommend that you do learn to service and maintain your Singer Featherweight yourself... yes, you can do it!  And, good news!! We will show you how!  The Featherweight Sh...

How to Straighten a Bent or Loose Spool Pin

If your spool pin is bent or a bit loose then this video tutorial will show you how to straighten and tighten it back down.  You'll need a very hard surface, a hammer, and a metal punch because you'll be flaring the pin from the underside of the plate.  

How to Adjust the Stitch Length Lever

Yesterday, there was a question on our Facebook group about the stitch length lever (or sometimes called the "stitch length regulator") and so this video tutorial was made to help answer that question as well as addressing a couple other things, too. I will show you what to do if the lever is too...

How to Loosen the Spool Pin Coverplate if the Screw is Too Tight

If your spool pin coverplate seems to be impossible to remove because of that stuck or stripped spool pin screw, this quick impromptu video might be just the trick to help you.  Once you get your spool pin cover plate removed, be sure to not screw the screw back down too tightly -- just finger ti...

The Giant Schmetz Needle Tutorial

Using a giant needle as an example in the video far below, you will learn the various parts of a needle, as well as the importance of having a smoothly finished eye. One of our favorite needles to recommend is a Microtex Schmetz.  They're sharp and they pierce exactly at the point of fabric ent...

How To Remove a Singer 222K Featherweight Bed Extension

If you have a Singer 222 free-arm Featherweight and the bed extension does not slide off easily, then this video tutorial will be helpful in showing you how to remove it.  Sometimes you have to give it a hard tug and other times the bed will need to be tapped out from the side end.  Watch the tut...

Removing the Presser Bar Lifter

If your presser bar lifter is broken or you need to remove it for paint preparation/restoration, then this quick video tutorial will show you how to do just that.  It's a bit tricky, but after receiving the question from a customer on our Singer Featherweight facebook group, Carmon made this impr...

Case Key Tutorial - Singer Featherweight 221

This tutorial will show you how to lock and unlock a Singer Featherweight 221 case. *This key is not the style for the green case suited for the White Featherweight.  

Case Key Tutorial - Singer Featherweight 222

This tutorial will show you how to lock and unlock a Singer Featherweight 222 case.  

How to Apply Decals to the Singer Featherweight

Are you restoring a Singer Featherweight?  This video tutorial will show you how to easily apply the Singer Featherweight waterslide decals to the painted surface of the machine.  Decals are available in a gold "Celtic Knot" for Featherweights made from 1933 - 1937, 1937 - 1953, and the paperclip...

How to Easily Remove the Handwheel Collar Bushing

If thread or debris gets pulled behind the handwheel, it can lodge around the shaft behind the handwheel collar / bushing.  This can greatly slow down your Featherweight by causing undue stress on the motor.  The handwheel collar is actually pretty difficult to remove and damage often occurs when...

Maintenance Screwdrivers for the Singer Featherweight 221 or 222K

These are the Featherweight Screwdrivers that everyone has been talking about from our Singer Featherweight Maintenance Workshop Tour of 2016. VIDEO #1 VIDEO #2 BELOW From Germany, this Wera Screwdriver is, by far, the best screwdriver we have found for use on the Singer Featherweight sewing ma...

Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment

Today we are going to be addressing the presser foot pressure, or downward force on the presser foot. Parts Discussed: Presser Foot Presser Bar Presser Bar Spring Presser Bar & Spring (for white Featherweights only) Pressure Knob Singer 221 Feed Dogs Throat Plate Hook Assembly Featherweigh...

Cleaning & Repair for Secure Thumb Screw Placement

  NOTE:  This tutorial is for the Singer Featherweight 221 model in original black, white or tan.  It will work for the Featherweight 222 as well, but the throat plate on a 222 is made of steel, so this technique will rarely be necessary. Products and Tools Referenced: Thumb Screw (Vintage) Thum...

Why is My Needle Not Centered in the Needle Hole?

A common question among Featherweight owners is, "Why is the needle not centered in the needle hole?" Although it may be quite concerning, the answer will put you at ease! Find out why here.

White Singer Featherweight Badge Replacement Tutorial

Learn how to install the new replica badge for the White Singer Featherweight in this step-by-step video tutorial with Carmon from The Featherweight Shop. The original white Featherweight badges were a foil that was glued in place. The new Replica Red S Badge is a strong aluminum with a sticker-l...

How To Use Sew-Retro Oil Tutorial

Welcome to The Featherweight Shop's Sew-Retro Sewing Machine Oil maintenance tutorial! Today, we will review the proper amount of oil needed to maintain the Singer Featherweight sewing machine. Plus, learn how to properly store Sew-Retro Sewing Machine Oil for short-term or long-term storage.  S...

What Is The Correct Way Of Identifying A Singer Walking Presser Foot AKA?

The Singer Walking Presser Foot, also known as "The Penguin" due to its adorable waddle while sewing, is one of the most sought-after Singer accessories. 'Penguin' is not an official Singer name, rather it was a cute descriptor applied by a Featherweight collector in the early 2000s. The all-me...