Singer Featherweight
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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Looking back at books, magazines, and historical records it appears that Singer was a great company to work for. They provided many benefits and great facilities for their workforce. Singer wanted their employees to be able to state proudly, "I work for the Singer Manufacturing Company." So li...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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How to Store the Featherweight
One of our most popular questions is, "How should I store my Featherweight?" We do know that the Featherweight is a very hearty machine, as many owners have retrieved them from the attic, basement, or closet where they have been kept for many years - to pull them out and use them without complic...
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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...
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How To Replace the Bobbin Case Latch
Follow along with the tutorial below to learn how to replace the Bobbin Case Latch on a Singer Featherweight 221 or 222. When does the Bobbin Case Latch need replaced or serviced? Replace the latch when it is actually broken. Service the latch when it will not spring b...
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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...
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What Shank is The Featherweight?
All 221 and 222 Featherweights are Low-Shank. It was Singer's most common configuration for their household sewing machines. The term Shank refers to the position and height of the needle bar and presser bar. Below is a comparison of the four common machine shanks used by Singer. The Low-Shank...
Read MoreThread 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...
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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! ...
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Are Some Featherweights Harder to Find Than Others?
Some Featherweights are certainly harder to find than others, but how much harder? In certain areas all Featherweights may be "scarce", but internet sales have made standard Featherweights much more available. This post will address not only how many Featherweights were made each year, but also...
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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...
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A Closer Look at Featherweight Drip Pans
The drip pan wouldn't be considered a mechanical piece of the Featherweight, but it does serve a few purposes. The metal drip pans hold the felt drip pad liners, which collect excess oil and grease that drips down from the moving parts in the machine. Together the drip pan and felt drip pad ser...
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A Look at The Differences Between The "Flat Prong" and "Round Pin" Plugs
For the black Featherweights, Singer had two different connection types. They aren't interchangeable, so this article can be a reference when checking the compatibility of the machine and cord. Round Pin Plug and Terminal: The round pin terminals and plugs were used exclusively in the USA, but...
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A Concise History and Timeline of The Featherweight Light Housings
Many Featherweight light housings have the same shape, but they often vary cosmetically, and they can be a quick reference to when a machine was made. There were a total of nine different decals used to mark the Singer Featherweight light housings, and there were four different light housing con...
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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...
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Featherweight Marketing Through The Eyes of Singer
Take a step back in time and view this trove of original Singer advertisements featuring the Featherweight! See ads from all over the world marketing the Black, Tan and White Featherweights as well as the 222K. The Black Featherweight 221: This is possibly the most concise advertising pa...
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What To Look For When Buying a Featherweight
"Is this a good price?", "How do I know if anything is wrong with the machine?", "Are some Singer Featherweights better than others?", and "What do I look for when purchasing a Singer Featherweight?" - these are all common questions we receive from those on the hunt for their first Singer Feather...
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A Timeline of The Featherweight Motor
The Motor is one of the most vital parts on the Singer Featherweight. It is likely to be the first part to display signs of age on almost any machine, so it is important that the motors are properly cared for. When a motor does wear out, it can be replaced by any original Featherweight motor. ...
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How Does The Featherweight Compare to Other Singer Machines?
When Singer introduced the Featherweight in 1933 it was vastly different from most all sewing machines on the market. This article will compare the Featherweight to the other common Singer machines of its era. First, to be considered an actual Singer "Featherweight", the sewing machine must ...
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Original Featherweight Tables and Cabinets
Singer tables were what any 1940s homemaker would have wanted to accompany her machine: an adaptable table for sewing or hosting! Below is a cute ad from Singer, marketing the different ways one of their tables could be used... Pinochle anyone? Today, some of the most collectible sewing machin...
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A Complete Guide to the Variations of Featherweight Hook Assemblies
The hook assembly can be considered the heart of your machine, crucial for timing and stitch formation. Singer did update the design of the hook assembly a few times over the years, and the precision engineering involved means these parts are not interchangeable. This guide is not only a historic...
Read MoreBona 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. ...
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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.
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A Concise History of the Featherweight Case
For Singer, the number one selling point for the Featherweight was its portability with the lightweight design of the machine unique and desirable. For the Singer Featherweight to truly be portable, however, it also had to have a lightweight and compact case - one that would hold the machine, co...
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Original Featherweight Foot Controller History and Timeline
Singer made a variety of foot controllers over the years, and a few different styles for the Featherweight. All vintage original Featherweight foot controllers are universal and can work with 110 or 220 voltage and with any Featherweight model whether 221 or 222 (the actual plug to the machine m...
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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 ...
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A Featherweight Comparison Guide - Specifics of Each Featherweight 221
Are Some 221 Featherweights Better Than Others? A common question we receive here in the shop is, "Are some Featherweights better than others?" It is a great question and one that we are always verbose to answer! While a Featherweight is a Featherweight is a Featherweight, there were many chang...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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How to Pack up the Featherweight and its Accessories in the Case
One question that we get quite often here in the shop is, "how does everything fit in my Featherweight case?" Singer did change the Featherweight cases throughout the years, so packing everything up wasn't always the same. You might be able to get it all in the Case if you pile it in all random...
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What accessories originally came with my Featherweight?
The Featherweight is like many other vintage and collectible items; having all the original accessories makes the item more desirable and possibly even more valuable. The question then must be asked, "Do I have all my original accessories?" We know the machine would have originally included a f...
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Featherweights From Foreign Countries
I am sure there are some of you who have found peculiar things on your machine or among the accessories. While Featherweights were only produced in three countries (USA, UK & Canada), they were sold worldwide. Singer often added decals, logos and extra accessories with machines sold in di...
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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...
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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 ...
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A Concise History and Timeline of the Featherweight Bobbin Winder Tension Unit
In the photo below you will see 11 bobbin winder tension units. You can probably see how each one is different, but the question is...are they really all that different? Singer made approximately six standard unique units. Most of the differences that can be seen in the photo are just a diffe...
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How to Replace the Green Case Handle for a White Featherweight
If your green case handle is broken or missing and your green Singer Featherweight case is the style that would have had pins* holding the handle in place, then this tutorial will walk you through the easy process for replacing with a high quality, solid green replica. *******************...
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A Timeline History of the Singer Featherweight Needle Plate
The Featherweight Needle Throat plate is a valuable piece made with extreme precision. It may seem like just a stationary part, but it must be able to allow the needle to pass through smoothly, the feed dogs to move without rubbing, and the thread to be pulled up through a tight slot. It must b...
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Featherweight Maintenance Workshop, Advanced Course
Advanced Course on site at the Featherweight Shop: The Advanced Course is designed for those who have a desire to delve into all aspects of Singer Featherweight maintenance and servicing. This course will go beyond routine maintenance and onto advanced levels of motors, tension and timing...
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Featherweight Maintenance Workshop, Novice
NOVICE Routine Maintenance Workshop: Every well-made sewing machine, including the Singer Featherweight, can be maintained to run easily and to sew perfectly. For easy running of the machine, a Featherweight must be clean, well-oiled and properly adjusted or serviced. For perfect sewing, cer...
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A Timeline History of the Singer Featherweight Faceplate
I'm sure many of you have seen the decorative scrolled Featherweight faceplates, and one very common question we get here in the Featherweight Shop is, "Can I exchange my striated faceplate for the decorative scrolled one?" The answer is: If you're not a purist and originality is not important, ...
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Binding Babies -- Easily Bind a Quilt on a Singer Featherweight
Binding Babies™ by Doohikey Designs have made binding a quilt easy, fun and tidy, especially with your Singer Featherweight 221 or 222! This is our newest featured product here at the Featherweight Shop, and so we created this quick video tutorial to show you how to use the Binding Baby and Flow...
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