Motor Lubricant and the Proper Melting Point for Sewing Machine Motors

  Are you using the right motor grease and lubricant for your Singer Featherweight?  There are old, original tubes, new tubes and even some new kinds on the market... but are they properly suited for the Singer Featherweight?  How would you know?  Watch the video tutorial above and our old one b...

Adjusting the Belt

Is your Featherweight a bit sluggish or does the belt slip when you sew? This quick tip for how to adjust the belt will help you remedy the problem in no time at all. The first thing you will want to do is remove the spool of thread as well as the bobbin case from the machine. Next, using a long...

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...

Is Your Machine Jammed?

Hook Assembly with Bobbin Case Base Removed April 7, 2020:  UPDATE & ADDENDUM, New Video Tutorial In September of 2014, we posted a Video 1 Tutorial showing how to remove thread from the hook assembly on a Singer 221.  Then, in May, 2018, we updated the video to add the tutorial for the...

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...

Featherweight Needle Direction

NFL – not the National Football League, but that does work as a good reminder. Needle Flat Left While today’s tip might seem elementary to some, it is the most common culprit to a Featherweight that has suddenly stopped sewing correctly. We get numerous calls from frustrated quilters who snappe...

Featherweight Timing (and how to replace the Gib Hook)

In this video tutorial, Carmon Henry gives the step-by-step process for how to set the hook timing on a Singer Featherweight.  Timing is almost never an issue on a Singer Featherweight 221 or 222.  What that means is -- that it is virtually impossible for a Featherweight to get out of time just f...

How to Fix a Stuck Hook Assembly

After removing the hook assembly screws on a Singer Featherweight 221 sometimes the assembly will still remain stuck on the shaft. This quick tip will help you remove it easily without damage to your machine or that expensive original part... just be sure to watch all the way to the end of the vi...

How to Adjust the Handwheel

If your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222K has a needle that won't stop going up and down and still moves when winding a bobbin, then most likely your handwheel needs an adjustment inside. This easy to follow video tutorial not only shows you how to fix the annoying problem but explains the process...

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 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 T...

How To Properly Set the Needle (Getting To Know Your Featherweight, Part 3)

How To Properly Set The Needle Part 3 of the Getting To Know Your Singer Featherweight 221 series will show you how to properly set your Singer Featherweight needle.  This tutorial by Ruthie will be especially helpful if you notice your machine having skipped stitches or even if your bobbin thre...

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...

Troubleshooting Stitch Problems (Skipped Stitches, Thread Looping, etc.)

This is Singer Featherweight Stitch Formation 101!  If your Singer Featherweight is skipping stitches, not stitching at all, won't pick up the bobbin thread or perhaps the thread is looping or causing an awful thread mess on the underside of your fabric, then this video tutorial will show you the...

Capacitors - Why Did My Featherweight Start Sewing By Itself All of the Sudden?

Many Featherweight owners have asked, "what are these silver cylinders inside my foot controller?"  For several of the Featherweights manufactured in the UK, capacitors were added inside the foot controller, motor, or the machine itself.  The purpose of capacitors was to cut down on electrical fe...

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...

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 ...

Featherweight Motor Brush Replacement Tutorial

Today, we are going to be learning about Motor Brush Replacement. Although they are frequently overlooked, carbon brushes are a critical element of an electric motor. Not only is it important to be aware of the motor brushes in a Featherweight motor, but knowing what to look for in a replacement...

Superbelt - An Improved Belt for the Singer Featherweight

The old belt on a Singer Featherweight has a technologically advanced improvement!  Softer, faster and better for your Featherweight motor performance.  Learn how to install and adjust the Superbelt in the video tutorial below. Update!  One of the advantages to the Superbelt is its superb grip t...

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!   ...

Stuck Stop Motion Knob & Handwheel

Today we are addressing a Stop Motion Knob that will not turn on your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222.  Loosening the Stop Motion Knob is necessary to wind a bobbin, but being able to tighten it so that regular sewing can resume is just as important. There are two causes that...

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...

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 pre...

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 S...

Bobbin Winder Servicing

Do you have to hold the bobbin winder down in order to get it to wind?  If so, then the washers around the bobbin winder screw either need replaced or turned around.  Follow the video tutorial or step-by-step photo tutorial below to learn a few simple tips for servicing your Singer Featherweigh...

Part 1 of 3 - Featherweight 221 Light Wiring Series

Part 1: A Tutorial on Cleaning the Lead Sheath on a Singer Featherweight 221. Products & Tools Referenced: Light Socket with Sheath Wera Safety Screwdriver (also available in the Set of 4) Gear Cleaning Brush Low Odor Kerosene and Long-Spouted Bottle Sew Retro Grease Small Terry-Clo...

Part 2 of 3 - Featherweight Light Wiring Troubleshooting & Repair

Featherweight Light Wiring Tutorial Series - Part 2 In Part 1 of the Light Wiring Series, we did a basic cleaning of the light wiring lead sheath underneath the machine, which helps to remove some of the exposed oxidation residue that can build up over a long period of time.  Reme...

Part 3 of 3 - Featherweight Light Wiring, Troubleshooting a Flickering Light

Featherweight Light Wiring Tutorial Series - Part 3 of 3   In Part 2 of the Light Wiring Series, we examined the light wires and followed a step-by-step process for repair.  Today, in our final installment of the Light Wiring Series, we will discuss the causes as well as how to...

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.

Why Is My Singer Featherweight Sewing Slowly?

Vintage Singer Featherweight sewing machines are widely known for their straight stitches, speed, and reliability. But, as you sew, a sluggish or slow sewing machine is a sure sign that something is amiss. Fortunately, simple tools and a little Singer know-how can quickly remedy the most common ...