DEBUT SERIES #19: Singer Featherweights: Not Rare But Worth Their Weight In Gold!!

[@kerstinstanley3587]

I have my grandmother’s featherweight. I understand why quilters love this little powerhouse! I don’t sew very often anymore, but sewing on the featherweight is the absolute BEST! I have several other machines, but the featherweight is such a joy to use!

[@barbaraflowers1599]

I just purchased my first black FW and I could not believe how much I love sewing on it! I wish I had known about these machines years ago....I will never go back to modern computerized machines again! Thank you for your great videos they are so helpful.

[@jenniferskirvin3156]

I got my featherweight as a birthday present from my mom. She has one and I loved sewing on hers. It is so simple to use. I am not a seamstress I don’t need all the crazy stitches. I was always just doing whatever. I never really had a project. Well recently I have actually started a huge project that I love with my featherweight. I make doggie stuff. Bandanas and such. Lots of fun!

[@maria2400]

I love the sound they make.

[@annas.5894]

This was the first sewing machine I owned. It’s still going strong! I bought it used in 1975 at a Singer Sewing Shop for about $40. According to the model number it was built in New Jersey in 1958. I love it!

[@leemythic4400]

I love these videos. I'm so fascinated by these machines even before quarantine

[@wdtaut5650]

Yes, I would like to see a presentation on bobbins, bobbin cases, shuttles and shuttle hooks.

[@catfisher4449]

Use mine at cottage with grandkids. Have pieced quilts, made bags, pillow cases, and fancy pin cushions. Love the stitch. It's great for teaching children.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great idea!!

[@pegylowery5038]

I sew daily on my Singer 222 from quilting to doll clothes and anything else you can think of. They are my go to machine and love the quality of stitch. I have several featherweights in my collection, even my children's sewing machines are featherweights.

[@sewterie]

Love the vintage Singers.

[@rustygnutts6255]

Nice machine, thanks for the video. I have Mom's FeatherWeight(she passed away some 18 years ago) I don't know the details without dragging it out. It was "mfg" in about 1948 (I tried to estimate from the SN a few years back) Mom never used it much as Grandma was the family seamstress and only an hour+ drive away for a weekend visit. The point I can add is that I have a "folding-Leg Card Table" like custom table for it. Made by Singer (I think). It has a cut-out to remove and the machine sits in it to have a large area for the 'table' (is that the right term). The foot-control will mount underneath and an arm provides a knee-control for the speed. The table got more use as a Bridge(card game) table for my parents parties.

[@famasmaster2000]

Great vid....very enjoyable to watch. Lots of info

[@patyake307]

I have a 222k and love the stitching it does. I cleaned and oiled it myself but I am sure I missed a lot but it stitches just fine. Love it.

[@Elkycreates]

Love my 222k with a red S. Arrived at my doorstep in Australia on her 60th birthday after my husband purchased it for me online from UK. I call her Victoria😉 I also own a Bernina 830 Record, Janome MC 8000, Bernina 350 and a Juki Industrial machine.

[@dianabradley8349]

I love my 1955 featherweight it's my go to machine for top stitching I also have a 404 and a 1922 singer 127 love the old machines!

[@crowznest438]

What I love about these vids, aside from the information, is your enthusiasm about the subject matter.

[@laurelmapes3423]

Love my featherweight! use it for quilting!,also have a 201 and a freadle machine 1908

[@severinab7475]

Which of these 2 sew better the silk, featherweight or 201?

[@Linda-di2es]

Can you use a walking foot on the featherweight?

[@vsmetc7305]

My wife has 5 of these. I restored 2 that were frozen up. One of her machines is the 222. Great little machines

[@deeleach8300]

This is the machine I have. I thought it was something else as the manual that was with it was for a 15-91.

[@leemythic4400]

Please do a video about bobbin cases😊

[@katebrusk]

I always love watching your videos because you speak so well! I'm always impressed how much you cover without ever cutting video. I've learned so much from your videos I've been inspired to make a video about restoring my own 221 :)

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for watching Kate!!

[@judley1963]

I just bought a FW and am so excited to use it. I am now just wanting to get advice on cleaning the gears and inside to get rid of the old oil and start with fresh. Do you have any thoughts on cleaners for that? I watched your videos on cleaning the outside of vintage machines - use sewing machine oil ;-) - but I can't find a lot of info on the insides. Thanks!

[@richterstitcher7936]

I was actually given a Red S featherweight machine. I think that means it was made in Scotland? I just started quilting the last 2 years and everyone says they are the best. Ive collected table size singers also and have 2 of them. One is working that i use currently to quilt and sew with. i need the other serviced still. now that i have a featherweight i need to make a gift on it for the person I received it from as my first project. It’s a treasure!

[@eldersandim3008]

Small Singer sewing machine is fantastic. Small Singer model number 19 appears to be as strong and robust as the Singer 15C. The Singer 15c is a sewing machine well known in Brazil. Sewing from fine fabrics to leather without defect.

[@cathyadams1729]

I have same one. $475 for it I love it. But something's going on lately with my tread it's not selling properly I don't know if it's above or what I'm still getting to know the machine

[@jamiekanda9872]

I just inherited a featherweight, and I noticed when winding the bobbin, the disengagement of the needle bar does not operate as expected. Is this typical of Featherweights? Is there an easy fix without taking the hand wheel components apart? While holding the larger wheel stationary, I gently turn the chrome inner piece toward me. I can feel it disengage, or 'slip away' from being taught against the larger wheel. But the needle bar still moves rather than remaining still. Please do make a bobbin case video! I have an Artista 630 made in Switzerland, Pfaff 130 made in Germany, Viking Interlude, made in sweden, and now my little Featherweight, born here in the US, 19 years before me! I'd love to know the nuances of the bobbin cases! I really enjoyed this video!

[@jamiekanda9872]

I figured out the winding issue :)

[@christinem9743]

Do you have a video on identifying a singer sewing machine? I’m having some trouble dating mine and I’m going to restore it so I’ve been watching a ton of your videos.

[@inekedusseljee3093]

Singer has a list where you can put in the number the machine has and it will tell what year it was made

[@fishpaws]

where do you list your machines for sale?

[@RychaardRyder]

according to the adverts this machine weighed 11 pounds, 11 pounds of gold costs around $22,000, a price I'm certain a 222 has fetched *somewhere* out there

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It would not surprise me a bit given how the prices on those continue to skyrocket!

[@donnasmith2720]

I have my grandmother's Tan 221K. Made in Kilbowie, Scotland, finished in St. John's, Quebec Canada. They believe there was no more than 16,500 made.

[@pamelaleitman9305]

Does this machine have a reverse stitch

[@xc8487]

Not about this vid, but what is the simplest singer treadle machine? I'm looking for one that has the fewest features and best build quality. Something that will literally last forever and a dog could be trained to operate.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Either the Singer 15 or Singer 66 make for almost indestructable machines either treadle or electrified versions. Parts are easy to get and not costly at all. Both models were made for decades and likely exist all over this planet!

[@patparadine2452]

I bought one for 100. And get home and realize the bobbin case was missing. It was in great shape other than that. I ask the person I bought it from to look around the area where she took it out of the case to take a picture. I figured it could of fallen out and laying on the floor. But after she sold it to me, she done some online searching and found out the machines were worth a little more than she thought. Then she offered to buy it back! I told her I would buy a bobbin case...hoping all is well except for that. Got my bobbin case a few days ago, and the machine works great! Now before I do any real sewing on it, I will do the maintenance and then get busy making wallets and purses! One of my friends says it sews through layers beautifully!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Sounds like you go quite the bargain even with the bobbin case missing. One note of caution. The Featherweights are legendary machines for their stitch quality but they were not engineered for very heavy duty sewing. Have some owners sewed wallet leather and the heavier fabrics used in purses/bags? Yes, they have. But I would proceed with caution to ensure you only push the machine as far as it can perform, but if heavier duty work is needed, you could always look at a larger machine for that type of work. Good luck with your new to you Featherweight! FYI, the Featherweights are especially biased towards Singer brand needles. They do make Singer leather tipped versions which can make sewing wallets (leather versions) easier on the machine.

[@paisley293]

I got one today for $50 Canadian! Working on cleaning it right now.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Congratulations. That is a remarkable deal on a Featherweight!!

[@severinab7475]

Someone can tell me which of the 2, featherweight or 201 sew better the silk and other delicate tissues?

[@lauralinett8129]

I have both machines and they are equally good with very fine silk. My featherweight saved my sister in laws wedding when it was the only machine that didn't try to eat her bridal veil. I have since acquired a 1200 which is the tailors version of a 201-2 and just tested it on a single layer of silk gauze and it sewed perfectly with no puckering!!! I have modern expensive machines that can not do that. Of course this also depends on the tension both top and bottom being set correctly and gently holding the fabric both in front of and behind the needle. Hope that helps :-)

[@pamelaleitman9305]

Oh sorry yes i see it does.thank you