ArchaicArcane

Thank you so much! The only thing I did purposely in my story telling was to not mention it was a 222 in the title. I figured springing that surprise was almost as good as being there.

I spent the evening resolving all of her little issues. She turns beautifully now and sews a lovely stitch, just like I knew she could. I changed the belt. It was the hook that was turning too much, so her timing was off. (when I "tested" her at the shop, I removed the needle and let her try to run. I figured if there was a timing problem, I didn't need to slam the needle into anything, and knew I could deal with timing if need be. I'd already seen the finger was out of place. I was so not going to pass her up over a "service" issue.) I fixed that. Disassembled her bobbin case and cleaned it up and reassembled and it works now. Adjusted the tensions top and bottom. She's had 4 of her 5 feet changed, I have one on order. Greased her motor and gears, gave her tons of oil. (I wouldn't normally do that, but she was turning pretty poorly) Then I ran her full out for a couple of minutes, and fine tuned everything and test sewed. All in all, she needed less than $2 in parts because of what I already had here stocked.

Hopefully tomorrow or the next day, I'll get her cleaned up and be able to post her "After" shots.


I've never seen a white 221 in person. I'd love to know what you think of it. I heard once that when people go to places that sewers congregate that it's recommended that you take your bobbin case with you, because some people will take them. I think that's terrible! DH said even if this machine was missing the bobbin case, we would have brought it home anyway. It would just have made her a $350 machine instead. He's a keeper.

Now that she's up and running, even still grungy, I love love love her! (even more) She sounds somehow different than the 221s I have, and just purrs.

I couldn't have explained it better than ewecansew. For instance, I didn't know that about the patents. I did read though that there were only something like 2000 of them officially brought to the US, so I get why you guys don't see many of them. Though my understanding was that they were all made in Scotland, and the North American machines were all fitted with 110 volt motors at the St. Jean sur Richelieu plant in Quebec (Canada). Apparently that helped Singer avoid some taxes or import fees as well, since by that time, a sewing machine wasn't complete without a motor.

I totally can't remember where I read / heard all that though.

Either way, they're both great machines. And they like to congregate in herds. Congrats on starting your herd.

Oh my!! I'm surprised you leave her out there! I'm guessing you're in the southern part of BC,.. the colder parts wouldn't be very good for her. If I left her in our trailer, she'd be a shivering mass of paint flakes and naked aluminum in no time! I mentioned to DH that maybe as a "cheaper" vacation this year, we could take the trailer out somewhere and just "be" for a bit, rather than our motorcycle trips, or whirlwind trips to the states. (though the thought of hitting a few places for machines and fabric does sound good...) I wonder what he'll think when I bring the FW out and start sewing.

I can't believe I forgot to post her birthday info. I looked it up last night as my aunt was fawning over her.
Her serial number was allocated February 26, 1957. On my aunt's 3rd birthday.