Singer Featherweight 221 - 5 Quick Tips

[@mataz3844]

Hi I’m a 59 year old man, that was Willed to me, this beautiful machine. I am trying to learn how to use this machine. So far your videos have been very helpful. I have subscribed to your page. Wish me luck. 👍🏼

[@IdLikeToBuyaVowel]

Hello my sewing friend, I’m 68 and I got a 1938 as a gift & Im here to learn too! We GOT this! :)

[@dananutt3704]

Thank you for these awesome tips. My husband just bought me a featherweight for my 60th birthday. I am really really enjoying it!!!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Oh wow! Congratulations AND Happy Birthday!! I think your husband might get "man of the year" award for that! My entire sewing machine career started when my husband bought me my first Featherweight many years ago as my first Mother's Day gift. Still very sentimental to me! Also, I have a full, FREE workshop on how to use your featherweight - it goes well beyond just the basics, too. You can find it here: www.learnmachineservice.com/courses/how-to-use-your-featherweight

[@JRJonesOD]

My wife just bought me a Featherweight for my 65th birthday. (It's 11 years older than I am.)

[@ksharpe8137]

My husband bought me one today for my 60th birthday!!! I’ve wanted one for so long!

[@gladcomputer]

Excellent video. Good info and well presented. I have been using my mother's featherweight since I was 12 years old. I am now 70 and learned a lot of useful info from your video! Thanks.

[@magdaiolovitch5938]

Me too. I have been used my mother's machine since I was 13, now I am 69. I bought my featherweight 221 last week.

[@pjinlaca5489]

Excellent tips. I particularly like the shape of the needle plate matching the needle insertion and threading direction. So handy. 👍

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed this!

[@rl6175]

great, Great, GREAT lesson!!! Thank You. With my brand spanking new Feather and feeling a bit deceived as the seller said "works beautifully", i purchased not being able to try it out…i trusted the seller. got it home, plugged it in, it sewed, it sewed ever so slowly. Now, i was convinced i needed to take it to a repair person to get it up to speed but fell upon your video…."oh, the bobbin winder….lowered into position, why don't i check that out…". and i did. WHOA NELLY! the bobbin winder was down, i lifted it and that featherweight took off like a kite on a spring day. the seller was honest, the machine is a gem and your video too, it's fantastic. thank you!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

That makes me so happy! Thank you so much for sharing this! If it helps, here's a FREE course I have on every aspect of using your Featherweight, including balancing tension and many other things. I hope you find it helpful! www.learnmachineservice.com/courses/how-to-use-your-featherweight

[@patoconnell5007]

So helpful! Just picked up my first featherweight so excited but needed to hear these helpful tips. Thank you for taking the time to share this.

[@leelongo3734]

Thank you so much for this thorough presentation. I thought I remembered the class my mom gave me 50 years ago and with just a few little tips, I was able to teach my niece. I really appreciate it.

[@dannyl2598]

Beginner's should also know to loosen the clutch on the hand wheel before winning a bobbin so that you are not running the rest of the machine, needlessly. Thanks

[@jerrycooper6033]

I needed a refresher course and this did it! I have my mother's featherweight...learned to sew on it so I have been using it for 57 years, great machine...Carolyn Cooper...Thank you!!!❤

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Wonderful!

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

Thank you for explaining the bobbin case mount and hook, very helpful

[@rl6175]

Andi, Having just completed your "get to know" videos, just need to say how impressed i am and grateful for your work and ultra clear presentations. i think i'll be a volunteer cheerleader for you. being a strong visual learner, you brought home to me some issues i previously theoretically understood but didn't fully grasp…never did really grasp tension adjustment until watching your tension settings video. Many Thanks to you, as soon as my grease arrives and i am back and running, i'll be making bowties!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Thank you SO MUCH for your super kind and complimentary comment. That is so touching! And this is why I do what I do. There is so much information out there that makes us feel 'less than' because we simply don't know until we know. If you have a Featherweight or 301, I have a FREE 'How to Use your Featherweight workshop" that you may be interested. I cover a lot of information in that workshop. I also have a service maintenance workshop (virtual) for these machines. www.learnmachineservice.com/courses/how-to-use-your-featherweight And as we keep going, we'll eventually have an entire, comprehensive Academy that teaches every aspect of caring for your machine and improving your sewing experience.

[@terigreen4217]

Just got my Featherweight 221 today....these are great tips as I check out the machine and do a thorough cleaning. Thanks!

[@mcampalone]

Wow. Thank you so much. Such good information and relayed in a very understandable manner. Thank you again!

[@jordanwhite5470]

You have absolutely the best videos as far as clarity of pictures and the explanations. Please keep it up!

[@karenirwin4767]

Thank you very much for this video. I just purchased a Singer Featherweight 221 and am waiting for it to arrive. In the meantime I am trying to learn all that I can!

[@johilpert9149]

Excellent. I just cleaned oiled and lubed my new to me featherweight and couldn't take one stitch. Your third tip was my problem. Thank you so much. I thought mine was broken. Only operator was.

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Wonderful! So glad I could help! I have a FREE workshop that goes everything you need to know to sew on your Featherweight (no strings attached, I promise!)! You can find it here: www.learnmachineservice.com/courses/how-to-use-your-featherweight

[@susandonohue6234]

Great video! Thanks for helping us!

[@brucecronin6396]

Great video !! I used 3 of the 5 tips on my '54 FW.

[@Tipperary757]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@pennybevins3016]

Thank you., your first tip was exactly what I wanted to know.

[@scpatl4now]

I have my Grandmothers featherweight from 1948. My mother who had it first never did any maintenance, so I oiled all the ports and put grease in the motor and it works great. I always get confused about which way the bobbin thread is supposed to go clockwise (comes up from the left side. I really love this machine and it sews a much straighter stich than any new machine I've used. I even free motion quilt with it!

[@Rabbitsoup4]

Tell us how you free motion with it. I have a 48 too! The year I was born. I love the way it sews!

[@kathieh9]

My heart is fluttering because I just won mine on eBay! A 1957 model. Can’t wait to see it in person. I have a 99 and a 201 so just wondering what will be different in the engineering?

[@gingernotturno5365]

Great video....I have one featherweight that has be redone and painted and I just got my second one a white one at an estate sale and I am waiting for it to come out of the shop

[@doreensherk287]

I just found your video, it was very informative. ❤

[@laurat1962]

I had no idea that my bobbin winder has been engaged the entire time I've owned my featherweight, probably ten years. It sews fine, but I'm glad to know how to correct that. Thanks!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Oh wow! So glad this helped!!

[@dianedewitte4721]

Very good! I'm happy to get these tips for my new-to-me Featherweight!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisaparlberg1581]

Great information....is that the only place a person needs to oil a feather weight?

[@cherylnewell9806]

Great tutorial

[@kathleenk7726]

Thank you, just started using mine and the tips will help.

[@SewingDocAcademy]

You're very welcome! I also have a free online class that walks you through everything you need to know about sewing on your Featherweight. You have access to it for life, and it is broken up into sections so you can watch it all the way through or go directly to what you need. www.learnmachineservice.com/FWU-landing

[@KathrynRose-schultz-qs6qw]

Nice tips

[@judithwright5084]

Thanks for the tips. Good ones❤

[@barbaradesousa9122]

Great tips!

[@charlottedeloach1953]

Thanks so much for the excellent video. I just got my Featherweight back from boing painting and restored (I thought) but the bobbin case looked rough and rusty so I added a drop of oil and rubbed it with a pipe cleaner. This was before I saw your video and tip to never put oil in it. 😣. Have I ruined it?

[@dianabarry871]

Excellent video! Extremely well presented. How do I know what year a Featherweight is? Is it marked on the machine somewhere?

[@user-ec5sp5zu6q]

Thank you so much for the great info

[@bibikhan1080]

Thank you, well explained.

[@dianedunham1611]

Great tips!...thank you!

[@loriannpayne4483]

Very helpful - thanks so much!

[@terriluginbyhl161]

Wow! Thank you!

[@Indydi]

I really want one of these. I learned on one 45 years ago. They are outrageously priced, tho. I have a 99K coming, which is actually a better machine, albeit sightly bigger and about twice the weight.

[@sallyromano1265]

LUV this❣️ Thank You‼️

[@ThePetemoffat]

Hi, I have used the Featherweight to complete a project only once after having it serviced since ownership. At completion the machine would not run, acting like it was jammed. I cleaned the bobbin checked all the possibilities and discovered the two fabric feeder feet jamming in the needle plate. I loosened the plate and the machine will run moving the needle plate around as it's not screwed down. Is this an adjustment issue that I can fix or does the Dr. need to intervene and take control? I have enjoyed watching your videos they are most helpful to get things right before you run for help, this problem has me stumped however. Thank you

[@carynmulder1809]

I have a question I just bought a few. The controller is attached the lid of the box. How do I release it

[@eleonoreloundermon2372]

Great tips

[@sherrytolbird154]

Thank you just opened my 221 and boy does it smell musty in the box bobbin winder was my first issue!

[@lindarussell9379]

Good info.

[@caahayes]

Great tips.

[@ritadepastina7102]

I have a featherweight without a numbered tension. How to I adjust it?

[@susanc.8009]

Is there supposed to be a spring at the top of the machine for pressure foot pressure? My other machines have a spring, but not my feather weight. I think it was lost by my grandmother, who I inherited it from. Where could buy one? Or any parts for this machine?

[@SewingDocAcademy]

There isn't one on the outside of the machine, there is a shaft inside the machine that adjusts the pressure when you turn the knob. If you aren't sure if it's right or not, feel free to email pictures to info at gmail.com and I'll be happy to take a look for you.

[@susanc.8009]

@@SewingDocAcademy I mean inside, under the knob. I’ve recently dealt with that issue with my Sailrite, when I’d set the stitch size for the longest stitch, but would get a shorter stitch. I was told to pull on the spring to stretch it because they get compacted and I should release the pressure on the spring every time after using the machine. I haven’t really missed having the spring on my Singer, but then I only sew lighter weight material with it. But maybe there isn’t a spring on an old Singer lightweight?

[@darcyhill5982]

Can you please tell me how to change the foit

[@susilooney8197]

in the bobbin spot ...the circular piece is not in the notch. How do I get it back in the notch?.

[@SewingDocAcademy]

You need to remove the screws on the needle plate, then get the finger lined up in the notch on the needle plate before you put the screws back in.

[@auroranite]

any links for reputable Featherweight dealers for purchase? thank you, new sub great info.

[@handmadeguilders3412]

Twice Nice Shoppe in Antioch, California twiceniceshoppe.com/

[@patnelles538]

What is a good price for a 1957 featherweight in excellent condition?

[@SewingDocAcademy]

That really depends on the "going rate" in your area. Prices have been elevated even more in 2020 because of the sewing machine shortage linked to Covid. In our area, north of Atlanta, a black featherweight with a carrying case and decent amount of attachments and manual would likely go for $500, give or take. If it's been professionally serviced with documentation, it may be a little more.

[@virginianoemidecastillo9296]

Hi, how can i Do to make my Machine faster? I have one but it's going slow... Thanks!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Have you had it serviced properly? There may be something gumming up the mechanisms, the belt might be too tight, the motor might need to be cleaned and serviced... that's where I recommend started. I do have a service program for these machines if you'd rather do it yourself: www.sewingdocacademy.com/fw-sales

[@cjpsisco]

My friend cleaned my 221 and she said it so perfect but it is making a noise. Any ideas?

[@debbiepring2236]

Thank you!

[@SewingDocAcademy]

You're welcome!

[@MsBuzzus]

My needle is to close to the left and rubs against the metal, and when trying to sew the thread always break. Any solutions

[@womensarmycorpsveteran2904]

Dawn Doetch all I can say is that you need to check that the needle is the proper needle and that it is put in correctly. Otherwise take it in to a technician. I have2 featherweights and have never encountered that problem.

[@brendaleger8566]

Where can one aquire a feather weight?

[@ksharpe8137]

My husband bought mine in an antique mall. It’s works beautifully.

[@Peppermint1]

There is an important drawback with these tiny machines. The space under the arm is so small, your right hand will be constantly too close to the needle area. A small moment of inattention and your fingers may get HURT. It is not a practical machine for extended usage.

[@apcolleen]

I ended up on your video from my vintage machine group. You guys closed up right as I moved up here! I was sad to see all your posts on craigslist etc to clear out merch.

[@SewingDocAcademy]

Hi Colleen, I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. Our shop moved across town to Cumming, GA, but we still exist! Let us know how we can help! We are clearing out a lot of machines, I have over 300 that need to go to new homes, and Covid really made selling consignment machines difficult. But I'm here!

[@apcolleen]

@@SewingDocAcademy coming is only an hour north of me now since we moved to Stone Mountain. So that's good to know. I currently own five machines including a brother and a 1971 white 5:30 which I love it was my first machine and the rest were all gifts. I am also currently a custodian of 3 LMAO

[@apcolleen]

@@SewingDocAcademy ohh! Do you have a needle holder for a Spartan? I have one in a cabinet

[@marilynmiller2646]

My machine is called Alphasew and I don't see anything that says it is made by Singer. Is it? It looks like yours. Thank you for the tips. Very helpful

[@PatBecker-w7d]

Why doesn’t my big wheel turn

[@SewingDocAcademy]

do you mean the handwheel? What kind of machine do you have? It might be the clutch is not engaged properly. The little silver cap on the handwheel has to be tight.

[@horacerumpole6912]

…you gotta be kidding-

[@lynnperschke3966]

Great tips

[@villafriesen7334]

Thank you great information!!!