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Model 201 | Featherweight 221 and 222 |
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SINGER SEWING MACHINES
Featherweight 221 and 222
Model 221 Featherweight
Although introduced in America in 1933 the Singer 221 Featherweight was not put into production at Kilbowie Scotland until 1947. It was extremely successful and excellent sales meant it was produced in large numbers.
As sales declined the Singer Company in Great Britain introduced a pale turquoise (white) 221K in 1955, this version was only made at Kilbowie and was not sold by Singer in the USA. It was slightly lighter than the black 221, having a shorter extension table, an internal toothed rubber belt linking the top and bottom gears and the later models had a full width foot controller. There was also a beige version of this machine which was made both at Kilbowie and also at St John's, Canada.
MANUAL:Follow this link to a FREE copy of the
c1951 Singer 221K Manual.
Model 222 Featherweight
Made only at Singers Kilbowie plant the Singer 222 Featherweight was introduced in 1953 and should have been the worthy successor to the Featherweight 221 but so successful was the earlier machine that production continued in parallel.
The 222K is a Free Arm machine the casing detaches revealing the arm thus making it a truly versatile machine. The main castings are Aluminum and without all it's paraphernalia weighs about 12 lbs.
In total 108,900 Singer 222K Featherweights were made before production ceased in 1961, the majority had the standard Singer badge with a black patterned border on the pillar. In September 1959 this badge was replaced by the famous Singer 'Red S' and the last 27,000 machines produced sported this badge on the front of the pillar. For some reason these Big Red "S" machines as they are known have become particularly popular although mechanically they are exactly the same as the earlier 222K version!
MANUAL:Follow this link to a FREE copy of the
c1955 Singer 222K Manual.
DATING: The date of commissioning for Singer sewing machines is available online go to Singer Machine Serial Numbers.
Featherweight 221K Serial No. EY847067.
This machine was made in Kilbowie probably in 1967 and came in a two tone blue carrying case unfortunately without its manual or accessories.
The machine is generally in good condition except where the foot controller which is permanently wired to the machine has caused a couple of minor chips. Attached to the front right of the base was a 'Singer Quality Tested' label with the numbers 45. 13. 6 this has been carefully removed and kept.
Featherweight 222K Serial No. EP543209.
This machine was made in Kilbowie in the Autumn of 1959. Purchased by a sewing teacher in Edinburgh it remained in the same family until it came into our possession.
It is a beautiful example - almost unmarked, with the "Red S" badge at the base of the pillar beneath which is the 222K plate.
The 222K is a "free arm" machine with the casing detaching at the turn of a screw to reveal the arm. This machine came complete with case, foot controller, original tray, attachments, manual & bobbins.
