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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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of July 2021, here are some of our recent finds: This is one of the Singer coin banks, but is...
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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of May 2021, here are some of our recent finds: This little Italian Singer oil can is so charming! Here...
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 customer. On the first Tuesday of every month we have a 'FW Faire' where we list the machines that we have carefully curated and prepared for this event. There are usually 8-12 machines, which include the 221, 222, often a Sewhandy Model 20, and on rare occasion, a Singer 301. Be sure to sign-up for the newsletter for a preview...
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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of April 2021, here are some of our recent finds: It's always a treat to find a set of Singer...
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 that the motor will run and the machine will stitch even when the light switch is off. Below is a short timeline showing the variations in the light switch: #1 The Standard, Black, Rounded, Bed-Mount Switch - in use from 1933-1957 in the USA and 1947-1951 in the UK. This switch is...
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 as we begin the first step in the case restoration process! Just so you can be fully prepared to join in the fun, here is the products list that is used in Part 1:Restore Along Part 1 (2/26 Debut) Product List: White Vinegar - 2 Cups MinimumPutty KnifeRazor KnifeTray for...
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 rarity as well as how some cases got this wonderful addition. 1. Perhaps the insert was simply added on a select few machine cases from the factory. Singer rarely made machine cases at the same factory as the machines, but it is possible that the corduroy inserts were added when the machine and case were matched and outfitted at...
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.
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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of January 2021, here are some of our recent finds: This gorgeous card advertised Singer's displays that would...
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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of November 2020, here are some of our recent finds: Here is an Indian Singer pocket mirror, likely from the...
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. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of October 2020, here are some of our recent finds: Here is a lovely red Sewhandy model #20. They are...
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 Unmarked Bobbin Winder 1933-1936 USA: The first bobbin winder used on the Featherweight had a solid silver wheel similar to a later bobbin winder, but it has no markings or part numbers on it. This bobbin winder was used from 1933 into 1936. #2 Cupped-Wheel Bobbin Winder 1936-1946 USA: The second bobbin winder...
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 we get in every month. Some of these items may be famous and recognizable, but we are sure there are others that very few have ever seen or heard of. For the month of September, 2020, here are our most recent finds: A Singer Yardstick: "The teacher...
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 today? Below are some photos showing the screwdrivers that would have been included with the Featherweight, and some Singer wrenches that would have been used by the Singer repairmen often on more industrial machines. Screwdrivers of Yesterday: These photos show how the original Featherweight screwdrivers have small handles - allowing them to...
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...
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! Below are some of our Singer postcards and signs that we have hung around the shop. Post Cards: Singer's Cabinet Factory in South Bend, IN Singer Factory in France Singer Factory in Elizabeth, NJ Singer Quebec Factory Singer French Post Card...
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...
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 style of controller is that the sewer could keep his or her foot on the stationary button while at rest and then rock their foot to the side to initiate power to the machine. Many find this uncomfortable, and it is a surprise that Singer used this design for so long. Here is...
