Clmay

I would like to know if they made a zig-zag attachment for the 221?
Thank you for your help.
Cathy

Mickey2

They did. There wasn't any made exclusively for the Featherweight but it uses any zigzagger with a general low shank fitting. Most of the cast iron machines from 1900 to 1950s were low shanks with a few exceptions (mostly industrial machines).

Rodney

This is the fancy Singer zig zag attachment. There are (I think) three different cam sets available for different stitch patterns for them. I've seen red, blue and yellow ones anyway.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sing...AAAOSw9mFWIpoc

Here's the plain one. It doesn't do the decorative stitches.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SING...kAAOSwyQtV5KZB

Here's the very collectible (and expensive) Swiss one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swiss-Singer...QAAOSwgQ9VlL4N

Examples are just the first of each type I found, I have no affiliation with the sellers. I've seen the fancy version in action and it does a nice job.
Greist also made them to fit low shank machines.
As long as they're for low shank machines they should fit.
Rodney

Manalto

I've used the second version that Rodney mentions in the post above, and it worked well. It operates on the same principle as the buttonholer for straight-stitch machines, i.e., the device grabs the fabric and moves it.

Mickey2

I have the first version, some like it, but I have difficulty sewing along edges of the fabric. It does what it says, but compared to a real swing needle zigzagger it's more than a little cumbersome. If it's for the utilitarian stiches like regualar zigzag and blind sitch I would rather go for the narrow smaller types. There are quite a lot of variants on them.

Manalto

It's important to note that if you do use the zigzag attachment, be careful of pins in the fabric. The side-to-side motion can cause nasty digs in the bed of the machine. I consider this attachment to be a novelty at this point, considering that good machines with the (swing needle) zigzag feature can be had for a song.

Rodney

True but if you're packing a machine around to classes and whatnot it's hard to beat a Featherweight. A fully accessorized Featherweight will still be lighter than most zigzag machines.
Besides, accessories like zig zaggers and buttonholers are just fun.
Rodney

Mickey2

I need a better zigzagger for my 201, one that's easy to maneuver. I like the buttonholer for these machines, that's the one attachment that get used a lo and I have no complaints about it. Does very nice buttonholes with ease. I have the old camless type, and I'm looking out for one with cams; keyhole shape is nice too.

Manalto

Many people who have a buttonhole feature built into their machines still prefer the old Singer buttonholers. I like the flexibility of the camless type too. For cam-generated buttonholes using the Featherweight (or any low-shank machine), look for the rectangular green or black plastic case, part number 160506. The green oval case (Part #489500) is a later version that loads from the top. Lubricate with a tiny drop of oil and dab the excess with a Kleenex.

Clmay

Thank you Manalto, I do have the one in the oval green case, in fact I purchased 2 one for my machine and one for my mother's.
Thank you Rodney, I appreciate the information. I would really like the swiss one, but it is a bit expensive for me.

I would like to thank you all for your input.