Avoiding disaster with your Singer Featherweight using these 5 key critical points (video 358)

[@NSQ22]

Thank you so much for this video. You’ve sorted out a few issues for me. I’m in the UK and wanted a Featherweight for years, just to finish my collection of 8 different Singers and I just love this little beauty. 😊

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@NSQ22 you’re welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏼😎

[@auntdee9678]

I accidentally discovered Featherweights and fell in love. I have three black, one is the CENTENNIAL 221. I found a white one online with our local Estate Sale Company. I couldn’t believe it. I bid on it and ended up winning the bid at $325. It was at an estate about a half hr away, one owner! I just love it. Thanks for this video!!

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@auntdee9678 you’re the clever one. Score! You know a good deal, and you know how to find it. Excellent job. Those white ones are pretty pricey these days. Around the Dallas area they’re going for $895 to $1295 depending on condition. 😎👍🏼

[@auntdee9678]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 yes I check on them all the time. I do order most everything from the Singer Featherweight shop for all my needs. But wow their prices for the machines are nuts…and can only purchase on the Featherweight Faire day…first Tuesday of each month …IF you are lucky to click Add to Cart first!! It’s insane how fast they go. But they do put a lot of work into refurbishing then…especially the painted ones. I love sewing on all of mine. I have my mother in laws 15-91 too sooo heavy. 23 pounds. I do have a fancy Babylock too though.

[@jr499]

Using the bobbin winder, I noticed you didn't turn the right side wheel counterclockwise to disengage the needle...

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@jr499 I don’t know how that would be possible, to not turn the hand wheel release knob counterclockwise to release the hand wheel clutch in order to wind the bobbin. I don’t know what you’re referencing.

[@rhondamercado7527]

Just wondering if you’ve ever had to work on the presser bar for this white Featherweight? I’m having trouble trying to find the spring for it, unfortunately it’s not the same set up as the black Featherweight.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@rhondamercado7527 on occasion I have seen spring failures and have had to improvise a fix. I have a drawer full of random springs, so I just figure it out and make it work. Sometimes a small spring gets stacked on top of the original one to solve the problem. Try your nearest hardware store and see what compression springs they have.

[@kholbrook203]

Very good video Randy. You explain everything so well. Easy to understand. I’ve seriously been considering getting a Featherweight, but have been watching different videos and have decided not to. But I do love that celery green color. They really are a cute machine. Didn’t Singer have a green sewing machine in the 50’s? I decided I want to get a 99 instead. I have to ask a dumb question. Were the early 99’s a hand crank or were they always electric and can’t be converted to hand crank because of the solid wheel and not spoked?

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

A 99 doesn’t make the best candidate for a hand crank. You stated it, because of the hand wheel. I don’t recall 99’s ever being predominantly a hand crank. I can’t recall even seeing one in captivity. They’re cast iron and very stout, they’re just not very portable because they’re so heavy. I have several of them and no one really wants them anymore. Too doggone heavy.👍😎

[@dogsareawomansbestfriend]

I continue to wish I had your knowledge!

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

I’m delivering it to you as often as I can. Hopefully I can download my memory banks and get it all on video for you.👍😎

[@dogsareawomansbestfriend]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Months have gone by and I still haven't fixed my machine. I do it by hand, which takes time, but at least I have fixed a few things!

[@rickgardner-jr3le]

I bartered an android phone for a Jc Penney 6801 aka Brother 344C. I have had no luck finding an operators manual or a service manual. The machine sews but...when it takes off the light completely dims to nothing. What can I do? Any info would be helpful. Thank you. Tonja from Missouri.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@rickgardner-jr3le Generally, if the light dims when you press on the foot control, there’s a problem with your power cord wiring. Try to find a new power cord set up and that will most likely solve the issue.👍😎

[@dogsareawomansbestfriend]

@@rickgardner-jr3le Get a new light bulp.

[@elsamoreno5568]

Where can i buy a machine like this it's cute.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

Do a search : White Singer Featherweight for sale. You’ll see them for sale at various sites.👍😎

[@lindagieseler9566]

I( continue to wish you made housecalls.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@lindagieseler9566 i do make house calls. Are you in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area?

[@ronalddevine9587]

Nice little machine, but not worth the money. For anyone with larger hands, it's a toy. A very expensive toy. I'll take a Kenmore 158-1040, less money, less fussy, and it zigzags.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

I agree with you there. For all around versatility, they come up short. For the price of a white (celery) Featherweight, ($1250 on average now), you could buy several 158 Kenmores, and have enough left over for lunch and a tank of gas. 😎👍🏼

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Hey, that tank of gad is coming way down.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@ronalddevine9587 it is and that helps me a lot.👍😎

[@gisellem927]

The Featherweight is the most overrated machine. You can’t even sew over four layers of thin fabric without them skipping stitches. I’ll just stick with my Singer 66- model

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

If your particular Featherweight has that issue, you might want to consider whether or not it’s adjusted properly. If you were nearby, I could mitigate that issue rather quickly and easily. There’s lots of reasons to not prefer a Singer 221, but lack of performance on four layers of thin fabric shouldn’t be one of them.