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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 history. Unplug your machine and watch the video tutorial above to learn the steps for proper Featherweight electrical connections. Just remember, if the machine is plugged in, it is considered on and ready to sew regardless of whether the light is on. The switch is only for the light,...
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 causes of a slow motor. Today, we'll review these possible issues and how to solve them. Products Recommended:Singer Featherweight Maintenance HandbookThread Jam Removal ToolThread-O-StatSew-Retro Sewing Machine OilSuperbelt You may notice that your machine doesn't sew with as much vigor as it used to, or you may acquire a vintage Featherweight that sews with less gusto...
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 controller, plus, we now carry a kit including all the rewiring parts so that you can perform this DIY "do-it-yourself" repair at home. SUPPLIES AND TOOLS: The Featherweight Foot Controller Rewiring Kit Wera Screwdrivers: Mid-Length & Long Foot Controller Cushions Needle nose pliers Wire strippers Wire cutters Below are a few pictures and instructions from the...
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 reflective. Cleaning attachments and the shiny parts of the machine are addressed as well.
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-like adhesive. Follow the step-by-step tutorial in The Schoolhouse.Products Used in Tutorial:1) Acetone (fingernail polish remover)2) Cotton ball3) Replica White Singer Featherweight Badge (New Red S Aluminum Version or Gold Foil Version Order the New Red S Replica Badge HERE
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) Thumb Screw (New) Throat / Needle Plate (Vintage) Throat / Needle Plate (New with Measuring Lines) Amoeba Embroidery & Darning Plate & Screw Buttonholer Feed Cover Plate & Screw Underbraider Featherweight Accurate Seam Guide Kerosene (Empty Oil Bottle works great for this) Drip Pan Tray Felt Drip Pad Presser Bar Presser Foot (Vintage)...
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 fix a faulty or flickering light bulb on a Singer Featherweight. Remember, this series is only for Singer Featherweight 221 machines manufactured in the US from 1933 to 1957 and for 221 Featherweight machines manufactured in the UK from 1947 to about 1951. Tools Needed or Recommended: Gloves Safety Glasses Wera...
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. Remember, this series is only for Singer Featherweight 221 machines manufactured in the US from 1933 to 1957 and for 221 Featherweight machines manufactured in the UK from 1947 to about 1951 . On the topic of oxidation, sometimes that residue, or corrosion, is not just on the area seen underneath...
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-Cloth Towel (for scrubbing) Felt Drip Pan Large Towel or Shop Rag (for collecting kerosene drips and old grease) Gloves Mask Eye-Protection The lead sheath on Singer Featherweight 221 models (1933-1957 for US-made Featherweights and 1947-1951 for UK-made Featherweights) covers the light wires and often requires careful cleaning and maintenance if there is any white oxidation present. In...
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 Featherweight Bobbin Winder. Relevant Parts and Products: Bobbin Winder Bobbin Winder Washer Bobbin Winder Screw Singer Featherweight Belt Bobbin Bobbin Tension Meter Bobbin Winder Tension Bracket Sewing Machine Oil Empty Oil Bottle (for easy use with kerosene) The cupped washer keeps consistent pressure on the bobbin winder arm, resulting in pressure...
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...
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...
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 down and read through the text and images below.Suggested Products:1) Singer Featherweight Instruction Booklet2) Thread Stand or Thread Post3) Thread Cutterz or Thread Snips4) Crosswound Spool of thread: Aurifil or Presencia5) Large Cone Thread, Mugs & Thread Stand6) Super Easy Machine Needle Threader7) Presser Foot or Quarter Inch Foot8) Singer Featherweight Instruction Manual 221 or 222 ********************************* Part 4 explained How To Properly Thread the Singer Featherweight. Since then, we...
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 routine maintenance for your machine, but it can also help eliminate some of the old musty odors that tend to collect from having been in storage for many years. Old Felt Drip Pad Felt Drip Pad Replacement Video Tutorial: Felt Drip Pad Replacement Tutorial Tools: 1. Putty Knife 2. Latex Gloves...
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 commonly receive Featherweights that are badly damaged with corrosion or physical damage. Corrosion on Featherweight Physical damage on Featherweight Although these machines are severely damaged, they still have value in that they have usable parts on them. What we do is take the serviceable parts off of these Featherweights and use them on your Featherweights...
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,...
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 can help with your motor's longevity, too. So, let's dive in! NEWSFLASH! We now have the exclusive Motor Brush for your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222: perfectly sized, shaped and with proper carbon density for optimum motor performance... just like the vintage originals! CARBON MOTOR BRUSHES The carbon brush,...
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. Click here to order the bona fide and new Featherweight Hand Crank A Little Bit of History on the Featherweight Hand Crank While a sewing machine hand crank was never an original accessory for the Singer Featherweight, these newly crafted hand cranks are meticulously patterned for function and design after those that...
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.
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 even feeding during the quilting process. To begin quilting (this applies to any quilt) you will want to layer your project in what is called a "quilt sandwich". It will layer like this: Bottom Layer: Backing Middle Layer: Batting Top Layer: Quilt Top For a full-size quilt, my long-arm...
