SteveH

Folks, I would point out that the original poster has yet to reply to this.... Seems odd...

mckwilter

There is nothing generic about the term "Featherweight". Featherweight was a term applied specifically to the Model 221, because it only weighs 11 lbs. Though there were various designations, 221-1, 221-K, 221-J, they were all the same machine. It was manufactured in 3 different plants -- Elizabeth, NJ, St. John, in Canada and Kilbowie, Scotland. The first FWs were black with gold decaling, but they also made a light celery green, which is often called white and which was belt-driven instead of gear driven, and a tan, which is gear driven. FWs were made into the 1960s, when manufacturing stopped. In the 1990s, I believe, Singer began manufacturing another machine that they designated as Featherweight, but it is made of plastic and doesn't have the quality or cachet of the original FWs.

quiltsRfun

Yes, I know that. Didn't make my point very well. What I meant to say is I think sometimes people who aren't that familiar with sewing machines refer to all old black Singers as Featherweights the same way I call every kind of tissue a Kleenex.

I hope some of our replies haven't scared the original poster away.

Rhodim

I have it in my vacation house and sadly I am not there. Asking a friend to take photos for me.

Smiles

Rhodim

I appreciate all the comments. It is at my vacation house and I am back at work, boo. Trying to get a friend to take a few photos.

SteveH

Yeah! Glad you are back (not that you are back to work). We'd all love to see the pics when you can.

Macybaby

Keep in mind - at one point the word "singer" was considered synonymous with "sewing machine". Though Singer fought long and hard to make sure didn't end up like "Kleenex". I think half the people I work with would not have a clue what I wanted if I asked them for a facial tissue.

It is interesting that on all the literature I have, Singer did not refer to the 221 as "featherweight" until it had been out for a long time. My white one (1964) is actually has "Featherweight" (trademarked) as the title on the manual.

I'd assume that the word was not in common usage for small sewing machines or Singer would not have been able to trademark it for use with the later white machines. Wouldn't it be ironic if "Featherwieght" was never used by Singer for the black machines at the time they were made?

I have come across many 99's refereed to as "featherweights". At least the seller knows it's not a full size machine.

Featherweight is a magical word to sellers of Singer sewing machines and parts on eBay LOL!!

Sheluma

Macybaby,
I have a 1948 book, "Machine Sewing", that refers to it as "Featherweight Portable 221- Machine". My mother bought hers in 1950 and she always referred to it as the featherweight.

I just bought a white FW with no manual (craigslist score -- $40!!) Initially I didn't care about having the manual because I have a couple black ones, but then I saw the "timing belt" (or whatever it's called), and now I'm hoping to find a manual. So far all I have found is a xerox (er - photocopy) on ebay.

Rhodim

I have photos to share, how do I post them?

SteveH

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