The first Featherweight was dated October 3, 1933. That was the little black one. The 221 was manufactured until August 6, 1968. They came in black, white and tan. During the war years they were some manufactured different from the normal FW. Some had a crinkle black finish and some were even painted in army colors because the army used them to make uniforms, etc. The 222 Freearm was manufactured in Kilbowie, Scotland from July 23, 1953 through March 30, 1961. Those are the dates on the Singer website and another website I use frequently. They're both helpful to date other machines I find by their serial numbers.

DH and daughters searched for one that was made the year of my birthday. So for my 50th they gifted me with my sweet little FW.

I got my first one about 11 years ago at an estate sale in my city. Original owner had passed away; she was a nurse, as am I. When I arrived, a man was inspecting it and a newer machine, first one and then the other. I held my breath, waiting for him to set it down. Then I swooped in and took it (and the matching FW table) to the cashier. Had all the original paperwork. Cost: $75.00 for both.

Second one I bought off eBay, paid too much and the seller did not practice full disclosure about the condition, especially the case which was missing the handle.
Less than happy with that purchase and I paid too much!

Third one I found at Goodwill, on the very day it arrived there. Nice condition both machine and case. Cost: $39.00

So I figure I am batting over 600! Would still buy another one if I found a nice machine for a good price! I also want a Singer 301. Found a 500A in a cabinet last year for $50. so there are still bargains to be found. Just have to search and be patient.

I have since bartered/sold one FW to another board member. She had coveted one for several years and promised to give her a good home.

I got mine from ebay last june

After many years of looking at garage sales/estate sales, reading the paper (CL not popular where I am) bidding on a few on ebay and losing, I finally lucked into one in a flea market I went to on a whim. I probably overpaid - he was asking $190 and I offered $150 which he took, and it had a bobbin case and that's it. But, I am thrilled to death with it. My sewing machine guy gave it the once over and oiled it and it works great. I have a bunch of attachments from other vintage singer machines that fit it, so that isn't a problem. I don't use them anyway. I don't want to reburbish it. I think the few scratches and dings probably have stories to them.

Bought my featherweight from a co workers MIL. She had it in her basement for something like 30 years. IT SMELLED of basement!! But after cleaning, it turned out fine. Getting the musty smell out of the case was the worst. Finally with lots of fabric softeners and sitting in the sunshine (at 100°) it finally lost its smell. Love that little machine for taking to classes etc. Paid $100 for it. Think I got a bargain as she said all she ever used it for was to make pj's for her kids.

My husband and I were in a quilt shop and he wanted to buy the Singer featherweight for me! Can you believe it? He likes old antiques and history like I do so that may have had something to do with it. Mine is the Centennial edition and I love it! It's been over a year since we purchased it. It came with the case and some accessories. I must say when I was younger, my mother had a Singer but not a featherweight - I too thought they looked liked a toy and too small. Mom had a regular Singer sewing machine and so did my grandmother, who was a dressmaker in the sweatshops in New York City a long time ago. My other grandmother had one with the treadle (sp?) and it was really old looking; I was just a kid and didn't realize or appreciate it. Never knew what happened to the machine - I suppose Mom got rid of it. I got a Singer from my dressmaker grandmother back in the day and still have it - she gave it to us for a wedding gift. All my grandmothers passed away a long time ago. I love the Featherweight and when I look up from sewing, I have a picture of Nana on th wall and she is at her sewing machine in the sweat shop working in New York City - really awesome!

I got mine from my DH who got it from his mother. He claims it's HIS!!! Ha ha ha - - we argue about this all the time. She's MINE!!!!!!

I got my featherweight in 1956 and it followed me around in the R.C.A.F..After marriage I got the table that it sat in. Also did professional sewing with it. Don't shudder but I traded it in for a bigger Singer.

What is a FW. Is it the little portable Singer? Why would you ever want to go back to that after using the computerized models?
Of course, I've never used one so maybe just don't know what I'm missing.