Sometimes it's not a question of 'need', more a question of 'want'. But they are great little workhorses, not temperamental if they have trips in the car to workshops, and can be maintained by yourself at home - no expensive services. I got hooked and I now have two - a white 221 and a black 222.

I have a white 221, 1963, orginal turquise case. Really nice little machine but I haven't been using it much lately. May in Jersey

I agree with Lacelady. I now have 4, which is ridiculous. I AM going to give one to my DIL though :)

I bought a 221 on Ebay and took it to the local machine shop where he fine tuned it, and showed me how to use all the accessories. She isn't perfect (missing some paint) but she purrs. He told me the motor was in excellent shape. He also gave me this advice:
Never turn the fly wheel backward, it messes up the bobbin. To make the machine go backward, put the lever up to the top.
Some things that cost a little more on the 221 are the graduated throat plate (nice to have) and he told me that the color of the screws and screw driver (black are worth a little more) as they are more rare. Those things don't make a difference to me. I just have mine for travel, and I love it.

I have my FW with me right now, camping at a car show. It has drawn quite a bit of attention.
FYI, if you are in the Richmond IN area, we were just at Webb's antiques in Centerville, on US 40 W. of Richmond, and they had 4 FW in cases. They all looked pretty good. Think the prices were around $300 ea.

Charlie, I didn't get it right. The correct model shows as 221-. Been a long time since I looked at it! Serial number is AM778421, faceplate is straight lines.

a 221 and 222 are not the same the 222 is a free arm machine and is much rarer therefore more expensive. the feather weight is only the 221 or 222 from my understanding

221 and 222 are the ONLY ones that are featherweights. the 66 & 99 are not. 221 should run $100-$400 depending on age and condition. 222 is the free arm version of the 221 and will run $450-$1500, same, depending on condition and age. hope this helps you.

Thank you to everyone who responsed. You really helped clarify some points and understand what I would look for. I certainly don't want to be caught up in the moment and get the wrong machine or pay too much. By waiting and being smart, I hope to snag one within the year. Thanks again.

The 222 is a Featherweight with a freearm - imagine a freearm in the 1940s! Singer is reported to apparently have decided American women would never buy it so they never sold them in the US. They are much higher in price because they are more rare. There was a limited number of them made.

The 221 comes in the usual black that were sold in the US and are still popular. There are also tan and white/lt mint green that were made in Scotland and/or Canada/England. Again more limited in number made so cost a bit more. ALL of the Featherweights still run like champs.