The 221 is a regular straight stitch machine. The 222 is a free arm, a little heavier but has a removable table. By turning a thumb screw the table slides off and converts to the free arm. I have 3 of the regular black 221's with one of them being a bicentennial edition. Also have a white (celery) one. This edition has a shorter bed table but otherwise it's identical to the black ones. I also have the 222 free arm, which is much more expensive and harder to find in good condition. All my machines are in working order and I love each one of them. I also have 2 of the toy models (1 a bicentennial and 1 is brown/tan). Also in working condition.