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BROWSE SCHOOLHOUSE

| Posted by Carmon Henry

How to Adjust Tension on a Singer Featherweight

Learn how to easily and properly adjust the upper tension as well as the bobbin case tension on your Singer Featherweight 221 and 222. Below is a transcript of the video above. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I am happy to assist anytime. If the video was helpful for you, leave a comment below.   *********************************************** Today I want to talk to you about one of the most important factors in your quest for a perfect stitch on your Singer Featherweight. Many elements determine what a stitch looks like - everything from the quality...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

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 straight in the direction of the first thread guide on the machine.   Today's new, modern cross-wound thread spools, however, are specifically designed to have the thread "lift" off to eliminate extra tension as the thread is directed toward the needle. Having these heavier-weighted cross-wound spools (while great for the quilt project)...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

How to Clean Under the Bobbin Case Spring

This is just a quick video we made for a customer who had questions about the bobbin case tension. This tutorial will help teach you how to clean lint out from under the bobbin case spring with a pin as well as how to do the bobbin case "yo-yo" test. This test is not foolproof and can sometimes vary depending on how much force is used in the process, but it can certainly help in a pinch when trying to set the bobbin case tension. For the most accurate setting, please see our updated tutorial here.


| Posted by Carmon Henry

How to Disassemble and Reassemble the Tension Unit

This video tutorial was made kind of spur of the moment, but it has been quite helpful on the Singer Featherweight group on Facebook.  Learn how to easily disassemble, clean and reassemble the Singer Featherweight 221 and 222K Tension Unit.    


| Posted by Carmon Henry

How to Align the +/- Indicator Ring on the Tension Unit

This quick video will show you how to make a tension unit post adjustment. If the +/- indicator ring at the top of your tension unit is sitting a bit off center on your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222K, then this tutorial will walk you through the steps for how to get it properly aligned again.


| Posted by Carmon Henry

How Thread Affects Maintenance, Upper Tension & Bobbin Tension

Hello everyone, Carmon here. There has been a lot of discussion about thread brands the last couple of days on our Singer Featherweight 221 & 222K Sewing Machines Facebook group so I thought I would weigh in. As a teacher of Featherweight Maintenance Classes and Workshops, and the owner of The Featherweight Shop, it is a general assumption that I should be able to get your machine sewing properly, regardless of what thread you choose to use. This is a fair assumption. I was on the phone today with Dave and Sharon McCallum, who are dear friends of mine. My...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

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 entry, allowing you to be as accurate as possible with your piecing.  While the Universal needle is great for everyday sewing, the stitch is less than perfect on a high-thread-count, fine cotton.  It is neither sharp nor ball point and has a tendency to pierce the...


| Posted by Christian Henry

How to Smooth a Burr or Rust Spot on Hook Assembly, Tension Disks, etc.

Watch Video Tutorial below . . . Is your machine skipping stitches and you've tried every possible troubleshooting suggestion?  Do you feel a small burr on your machine's hook assembly or or loop guard?  Do you see a rusty corroded spot or two on the tension disks?  Well, this simple but useful tool is one of our Featherweight Shop secrets and a necessity for any sewing machine maintenance and service kit.  The Rubber Honing Stick is a tool is used for cleaning rust and burrs off parts like the Featherweight hook assembly, the bobbin case, and the tension discs.  The...


| Posted by Christian Henry

How to Adjust Tension on an Early Singer Featherweight Model

Learn how to easily and properly adjust the upper tension as well as completely disassemble and reassemble the tension unit on an early non-numbered old style tension unit.  This style is from the very early days of the Singer Featherweight 221. Christian will walk you through each step showing you how to align all the parts, the spring, the take-up spring, releasing pin, disks, tension stud, etc. You will need the Mid-Length Maintenance Wera Screwdriver for this task.   *********************************************** In the video Christian talks about setting the bobbin tension first.  Click here for the tutorial on how to set...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

Tension Unit Post Removal Tutorial

Learn how to properly remove the Tension Unit Post or stud in this step-by-step video tutorial by Carmon Henry from The Featherweight Shop.  The transcript of the video tutorial, as well as all products needed to follow along are below. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Enjoy!   There are a few reasons to remove the Tension Unit Post.  These would include:  performing a deep cleaning to the machine, preparing the machine for repainting, or if the Tension Unit has been damaged. The first step is to locate the set screw that is holding the tension unit stud in place. To do this,...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

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 Featherweight Schematic Servicing Mat First, let’s talk about why the downward force on presser foot matters.  When the presser foot is lowered and compressing the fabric, it needs a certain amount of pressure on it to both feed the fabric and assure that the thickness of the fabric is not stopping a stitch from forming. The...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

Presser Foot Height Adjustment and Alignment

Is the presser foot misaligned?  Is the fabric swimming or wandering under the presser foot?  Are their skipped stitches when sewing over thick seams?  Then this tutorial will help with troubleshooting these common problems.  In a previous tutorial we showed how to properly adjust the actual pressure on the presser foot.  Today we will discuss the proper height and position of the presser foot and how to set it accurately.   Parts Discussed: Presser Foot Faceplate Screw Faceplate Presser Bar Presser Bar Clamp & Screw Pressure Knob Singer 221 Feed Dogs Throat Plate Presser Foot Gauge The pressure on the presser...


| Posted by Carmon Henry

Tension Unit Proper Threading

Learning to identify the thread path following a routine servicing and maintenance will help diagnose initial stitch tension inconsistencies and give confidence about learning to service a Singer Featherweight further. Parts Mentioned or Used: Tension Unit Tension Disks Upper Tension Take-Up Spring Upper Thread Guide Presser Foot Thread Post Here is a featherweight properly threaded: Comparatively, this threaded machine will have stitch troubles: At first glance, it may appear that they are threaded the same. But, as you can see when comparing the photos, the thread has missed the retaining fork in the threading process.  Making a quick adjustment when threading the machine...

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