Singer 221 Featherweight Sewing Machine

Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine

Model 221

February 1951

Kilbowie Factory, Clydebank, Scotland

"Francene"

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Being a new Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine owner, I have been thrilled to find so much information available on the internet about these lovely machines. So I'd like to share the interesting bits I've found.

But first, let me introduce you to "Francene" - that's "Francene The Sewing Machine"!

She’s a February 1951 Singer Featherweight model 221K, made in Scotland. And she’s just about perfect!

When I first unpacked her, the needle wouldn’t go up or down, but removing the 2″ piece of thread caught (or really just snagged slightly) in the bobbin case and the lint from around the bobbin saw her sewing like a dream – such lovely tension and perfect stitches (I used 2 different coloured threads to test her out – much easier to see where the tension needs adjusting). Her bobbin area may never have been cleaned, but all in all, she’s been very well looked after.

And she’s got the most beautiful scroll work on the face plate . . .

Her paintwork is in pretty good condition – see her reflection in the bed extension? Francene . . . she’s got a feel all of her own. Such a gentle rhythm, not to mention way toooo cute. She’s aged pretty gracefully for a 59 year-old! There’s something about working with vintage equipment – mentally it seems to take you back to simpler times, a less rushed pace somehow. Whatever it is, I like it!

So there she is – Francene the sewing machine!

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Links

ISMACS - International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

Featherweight RX

Home of the Singer Featherweight

Singer Featherweight 221

Gaileee's Featherweight 221 Resource Site

Restore a Featherweight Case

Sewing Machine 221 Sale

Featherweight Facts

Vintage Singer Sewing

221parts.com

Class 221 Featherweight Quilting Shop

221 Threading Instructions