How to Clean and Replace the Felt Drip Pad Liner on a Singer Featherweight

Today at The Featherweight Shop, Carmon and Ruthie will be showing you how to change the Felt Drip Pad on your Singer Featherweight properly! The felt drip pad that is underneath absorbs excess oil and, if heavily saturated, probably needs replacing.  Not only will it take care of a simple routi...

Light Flickering with Foot Controller Depression ~ Electrical Adjustment

  The light should only turn on and off with the flick of the switch, not the foot controller. So, if you press on the Featherweight foot controller and the light flickers off just as the motor runs, then there has been an inadvertent electrical reversal at some point in the machine's wiring his...

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 ...

Singer Featherweight Foot Controller Rewiring

Many Featherweight owners send us their original Foot Controllers for rewiring. We offer this service for those who want to keep their Original Foot Controller and Bakelite plug but want it to be electrically safe. The video above demonstrates the process of rewiring an original Singer foot con...

How to Clean & Polish Your Singer Featherweight

Easy to clean and easy to polish!  Have you ever wondered how some Featherweight machines look polished and beautiful while others look dull or oily?  Watch the video tutorial below all the way through and learn how to take your average looking Featherweight and turn it into something beautifully...

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...

Restore Along: Featherweight Case Restoration Starts Here

Welcome to the Singer Featherweight Case Restore Along! We are so excited to introduce this series, which takes an in-depth look at each of the steps of stripping down and restoring a Featherweight Case with Tolex and Fabric! Read Restore Along: Part 1 HERE Join us on Friday, February 26th...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Prepare For Sewing (Getting To Know Your Featherweight, Part 5)

As we continue working through the instruction booklet that comes with the Singer Featherweight 221 or 222, we will now learn how to Prepare For Sewing in Part 5 of our Getting To Know Your Featherweight Series. Let's Prepare for Sewing!  Follow along with the video tutorial above, or scroll dow...

Thread Guide Replacement Tutorial

Welcome to The Featherweight Shop. In this tutorial, we are going to take you through the steps to replace the Thread Guide (as pictured below), which is located right above the tension unit. Thread Guide Featherweight Shop Thread Guide Replacement Video Tutorial At The Featherweight Shop, we c...

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!   ...

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...

Bona Fide Hand Crank for the Singer Featherweight

We are so excited to announce the newest addition to the Singer Featherweight parts lineup - the custom made Hand Crank! Below you will find background information, parts description and a step-by-step tutorial for everything you need to know about the new and bona fide Featherweight Hand Crank. ...

Motor Removal Process on Your Singer Featherweight 221 & 222

Learn how to safely and properly remove the motor from your Singer Featherweight 221 & 222. You will find a step-by-step instruction with pictures and video tutorial to walk you through the process.

How to Quilt with a Walking Foot on a Singer Featherweight

Learn to Quilt on the Singer Featherweight! For quilting, the easiest and most economic option is to use the Walking Foot designed for the Singer Featherweight. The teeth on the walking foot align to the teeth on the feed dogs so this will eliminate any unnecessary shifting and allow for more ...

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 y...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 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 Repair a Speedy Clamshell Style Foot Controller

A few years ago we posted the tutorial for how to adjust the original bakelite foot controller and since then have received many requests for how to do the same speed adjustment on the "clamshell" style foot controller, most often seen on white Featherweights, but sometimes with the black Singer ...

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...

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...

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...

How To Get Rid of the Moldy Mildew Smell in a Featherweight Case

The first thing to check is the felt drip pad underneath the machine. Unscrew the large nut on the bottom tray and if the felt drip pad is saturated with oil like the one shown above then it not only needs a new one, but it could be holding some of the musty odor being emitted by the case. Th...

How To Refurbish a Singer Featherweight Case

In this video tutorial, our young daughter, Ruthie, will show you all the restoration steps for how to clean, polish and refurbish/restore a Singer Featherweight case.  This process will work on all black Singer Featherweight cases. On our Singer Featherweight Maintenance Workshop Tour this past ...

How To Use The Singer Automatic Zigzagger Attachment

This video tutorial will show you how I used the Singer Automatic Zigzagger Attachment to do applique on my Singer Featherweight.  Yes, my straight stitch sewing machine was able to do a dainty little applique stitch using a vintage Singer Zigzag Attachment.  These zigzaggers were available for e...

Learning About the Motor Lubricant Ports

Ever wondered what it looks like inside your motor or how much lubricant is required to put in that deep dark motor lubricant port?  This video tutorial will show you a perfect cross-section cut-away of the motor's interior as well as the different motor lube port styles.  There is one kind that ...

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...

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 Install & Use the Featherweight Accurate Seam Guide & Square

This seam guide is designed so that you can easily and accurately piece your quilt blocks.  Whether you prefer a scant or a true quarter inch (1/4") seam (or even beyond), your seams will have consistent seam allowances throughout your quilt or sewing project.  Some people prefer a 1/4" foot at...

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 to...

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 Replace the Electrical Components

This video tutorial will show you how to replace and rewire the light socket, lampshade, light switch, receptacle and motor on a Singer Featherweight 221.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.  Also, be sure to like and share this tutorial with your fellow Featherweight friend...

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.

Damaged in Shipment

The following photos will show you what happens when a Singer Featherweight is not properly packed.  If you are an eBay, Etsy, or shopgoodwill online seller and you are shipping a Singer Featherweight across the country or even across the oceans, please take these warnings seriously.  Replacemen...

Packing & Shipping a Singer Featherweight Properly

Packing a Singer Featherweight seems like it would be simple enough, doesn’t it?  After all, it comes with a handy carrying case, right?  Well, I think after you see the photographed illustrations below you will understand that these small, portable machines need a bit more care than what you mig...

How to Use the Singer Buttonholer Attachment

Beautiful, perfect and easy! ‘Sew’ easy in fact, it’s practically hands-free! Believe me, this buttonholer is still preferred by long-time sewists, even over the fancy, expensive machines with built-in buttonhole features. It’s amazing how the technology of yesterday still holds true all these...

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.    

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...

Foot Pedal Controller Speed Adjustment

  If your Singer Featherweight 221 foot controller (aka foot pedal) has only one speed (fast) OR is getting way too hot, then it might just need a simple adjustment inside. Watch this video tutorial for how to calibrate and make the necessary adjustment and to keep your machine operating safe...

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 v...

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.