Ok, I'm new to sewing/quilting and I'm trying to make a wallet with a zipper.

I keep having trouble with the bobbin thread getting into a tangled mess, and I'm hoping it's because I'm not using a zipper foot?

Why am I not using a zipper foot, you ask? Because I don't know what they look like... (hangs head in shame.) lol

My late MIL (who is probably getting a huge kick out of this, lol) left her featherweight to us, and I'm really trying to learn how to use it. There are so many 'extras' with it though - it has a ton of crazy foot attachments, but I'm not sure if one of them is a zipper foot or not. I'd assume there was one in the bunch, b/c she had EVERYTHING when she was alive, hehe. (This is only one of 3 featherweights, for example.)

I tried to google it, but got several different pics so I'm no better off than before I searched.

Does anyone have one that they can take a picture of so I can look through these and see if I have one like it? Or should I take a pic of the ones I have (there are a lot) and post that instead?

I feel like such a dummy, lol.

you might post the pictures of the feet here, so others can help you out

I am still looking for a featherweight

Ok, this picture might not be good enough, but I can take a close-up of any of them if I need to.

I probably have half of them upside down and sideways, lol.

Lots to learn...

You zipper foot is the second to the right on the top row. Hope it works for you!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

(if anyone can tell me what the others are, especially the ones that look like robot attachments, I'd love to know!)

the big ones,,,you have 2 are for binding...hemming...do you have the manual because it will have the parts listed...you can google it and they will come up..the 2 with the little hole in the centre are gathering feet for ruffles...then I see 2 with a little curled part to it...that is for making a small rolled hem..tricky to feed the fabric as you begin..that is why I said if you find a tutorial or a demo.it would help...the 2 with the s shape are also for binding...but you have to know how to insert the fabric...looks like your MIL had doubles..the one in th second row with the little measurements is for hemming too...do you have the manual...

I do have the manual, but didn't know it until today. I'll go check it out.

I had been using parts of the manual I found online, like how to wind the bobbin and basic stuff like that.

Thanks so much for the info!!

The zipper foot is the second one, on the left, top row. None of these is the regular presser foot for the featherweight.

Just so you know, you loosen that thumb screw and move the foot to the right or left, depending on which side you need to sew on, then tighten it again.

If you are interested in selling any of the duplicates please let me know. The only one of those mine came with is the rolled hem foot.

Also the bottom 2 each side are gathering feet. The one on the right looks like it also has a slot so that while gathering fabric you can also feed lace or another flat fabric through and stitch them both together at one time.

You can buy a 1/4" feet for Featherweight machines. Ask me how I know?

The feet do not have to be strictly for a FW, any low shank singer foot will work on it. You will learn that if the seller tags the item with "Featherweight" or "221" the price seems to go up. The same feet for a Model 27, 66, 99, 185J/K etc will work on the 221.

Billy

Featherweight RX, Dave McCallum's business at www.featherweight221.com, has holiday specials going right now. I got his book and DVD combo b/c I just started collecting FWs and want to know how to care for them properly. I bought a bundle of 3 feet for quilters, too. He threw in a guide that costs $11 for free. The book is amazing, haven't watch the DVD yet. I have no connection to this business, just sharing a resource that was shared with me on another board. I have different accessories with each of the 3 FWs I have, and doubt that I'll use most of them. Some do look like robot parts. I would gladly pay for FW classes, even an FW retreat, to learn how to make the most of my treasures.

I realized I picked up the "penguin" walking foot on our travels last trip. It had gotten lost in the van and hubby came upstairs with it. I was very excited...have not tried it yet.

I have duplicates on most of the feet, including at least 6 rufflers, buttonholers (one pink "space" case, one green, several regulars), zipper feet, maybe an extra zig-zag attachment. If you are interested PM me and we'll see what we can work out.
Jo

you do not have a zipper foot the ones that look like one are for rolled hems

there is a Yahoo group just for Singer Attachments. just sign up. they have very knowledgeable people & they are glad to help. probably have files to help you also. the back of your 221 book shows how to use attachments too.
Surprising how may people use the machines but never consult the book---especially on how often & where to oil !

you actually found a Penguin in the wild ?? Lucky you !!
I keep saying I am going to find one, but several years of diligent searching have not paid off.---yet--.

the lumpy one right near the 17" mark is a ruffler. the one second to the left of that one and a lttle upwards is another ruffler, but it doesn't appear to work exactly the same way.
but they are definitely rufflers. this is a close-up of a ruffler.

http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Ru.../dp/B003265EX2

close-up of a binder:http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=02097710000P

the close-ups are for other machines, but the look is about the same for all machines forever.

hemming: http://www.google.com/products/catal...wAA#ps-sellers

The woman that sold me my Singer 301's recommended a book called "The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook". It's a really nice book with wonderful pictures to help you identify your attachments and also shows you how to use them.

Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Machine.../dp/0896899233

The zipper foot is the foot that has little screw in the back and a cut out on each side of the foot. It is the second one on the top row of your pic. going from LtoR as you face the pic.

I can't remember where I found it, but just before he brought it upstairs I saw one had sold for $600! I know I sure didn't pay that for it...
It's in the box and has the instruction paper with it!

As others have already mentioned your zipper foot is the 2nd one one the top row (from the left).

It is the same shape as modern zipper feet, but it is "offset" to the side. This is because modern machines you can reposition your needle to the left or right. With the FW you can't move the needle - so it's the foot that has to move :)

ZIPPER FOOT TOP SECOND FROM LEFT! :-D