What's new in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - August 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

EH Series 221 Machines, 1951-1953 - Stepping Into the Vault

Take a step into the Featherweight vault as we analyze the differences between six special Featherweights - one from each serial number series within the EH prefix. Detailed first are some features that are standard for Featherweights with an EH serial number. After that, the distinctives of eac...

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...

What's new in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - July 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

What's new in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - June 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - May 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - April 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - March 2024

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

Singer Featherweight Certificate of Ownership

The Singer Featherweight sewing machine emerged October 3rd, 1933, capturing hearts with its compact design and exceptional functionality. A few Featherweights today still have their original receipts and guarantee certificates; however, most machines have lost all documentation connecting them t...

February 2024 - What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

January 2024 - What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - December 2023

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - November 2023

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have procured in our personal collection.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for al...

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 ...

The Register of Original Featherweight Manuals

Finding a matching, original manual to each machine is important to Featherweight collectors, and this register lists all 221 Featherweight manuals that we have recorded and the variations that we have observed between each of them.   Determining the date of a Featherweight manual is rather easy!...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - September 2023

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - July 2023

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - December 2022

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

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...

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...

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's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - February 2022

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive....

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - January 2022

Here at the Featherweight Shop, we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we receive. ...

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...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - July 2021

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - May 2021

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

Buying a Machine from The Featherweight Shop - How to Purchase and What to Expect

If you've never purchased a machine from us before, it is a rather distinguished experience.  Each one of our machines receive hours of personal care in their disassembly, reassembly, cleaning, polishing, lubricating, stitch sampling and overall Featherweight preparation for each and every custom...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - Apr. 2021

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

The Purpose and Timeline of the Featherweight Light Switch

The Featherweight's light switch changed slightly throughout the years in both placement and style, but it's one purpose never changed - turning the light off and on.  Most new machines have an actual power switch on them, but the Featherweight's switch only operates the light.  You will find tha...

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...

A History and Modern Use of the Corduroy Case Insert

If you have a Featherweight made from 1937-1940, you might find this original, rare, and practical addition to your case.  Little is known about the corduroy case insert, as we have never seen any original marketing literature, but it is probable that one of the theories below speaks to the rarit...

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.

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - Jan. 2021

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - Nov. 2020

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - Oct. 2020

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This series of blog posts brings our collection out for all to see what new items we get in.  S...

A Concise History and Timeline of The Featherweight Bobbin Winder

Below is a photo of the 8 different bobbin winders that Singer made for the Featherweight.  Each one is unique, and while they are all interchangeable, preserving the originality of your machine with the historically correct winder can be important to the machine's value.   #1 Solid-Wheel Unmarke...

What's New in The Featherweight Shop Vintage Collection - Sept. 2020

Here at the Featherweight Shop we have quite the collection of vintage Singer items.  Due to our remote location, very few customers have had the opportunity to see the many rare Singer items we have.  This new series of blog posts will be bringing our collection out for all to see what new items...

The Singer Tools of Yesterday

The improvements in tools have changed dramatically throughout history - from arm-strength, weights, and pulleys to the electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic tools of today.  How have the tools used for working on sewing machines improved?  What did they look like in the past, and what can be used t...

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...

A Peek into The Featherweight Shop's Singer Collection

The entryway to our little Shop has become a display area for our collection of Singer items, and we are always happy to share it with those who stop by.  We don't get many visitors as we are out of town and miles from any big city, so we have decided to bring some of the collection to you!  Belo...

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...

The Design of (and how to use) the Featherweight Foot Controller

The Singer foot controller used with most all Featherweights have quite the peculiar design! With most every other sewing machine in the world having a lever or wide pedal to be pressed by one's foot, Singer does seem to go against the grain, and many are unsure why.  Singer's thought with this s...

Backstitching & Reverse (Getting To Know Your Featherweight, Part 7)

If your Singer Featherweight is missing its instruction manual, we have replicas available for both the Singer 221 and Singer 222.  You can then read along as you follow Ruthie in the Getting To Know Your Featherweight Series.   Related Products and Helpful Tutorials: Presser Foot Stitch Leng...

Turning a Corner (Getting To Know Your Featherweight, Part 6)

Let's continue working through the instruction booklet that comes with the Singer Featherweight 221 or 222, learning how to Prepare For Sewing in Part 6 of our Getting To Know Your Featherweight Series. Follow along with the video tutorial above, or scroll down and read through the text and imag...

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...

What part did Singer play in the success of D-Day?

During WWII, when order L-98 was issued by the government in June of 1942, all production of family sewing machines came to a halt.  This order deemed production of items like sewing machines as unnecessary or non-essential.  As a result, Singer shifted very quickly into making much-needed parts ...