Singer Featherweight

When I bought my Singer Featherweight machine at the Textile Museum's Yard Sale a few years back, it came with pages of information regarding the history of Featherweights.

These machines were made by the Singer Co. between 1933 and 1964. The Featherweight model 221 was adapted from a portable machine made by the Standard SewHandy, a company that was bought by Singer. It weighs just 11 lbs. as it's all metal parts are mostly aluminum.

It was a standard black model, I guess much like cars in those days. The Featherweights that were made before and just after WWII have a beautiful scroll work pattern on the faceplate. The majority of post-war Featherweights have just a pattern of vertical lines on the faceplate. However they all had gold decals as well as the Singer name.

The black machine was also made in Great Britain where a white version was also sold. These were made in Scotland.

Both American and British models have a fold-up extension platform allowing for more sewing surface on the left side as well as enabling it to fit within a small wooden case along with its attachments. This characteristic, along with it's light weight, usually help to determine whether or not it is a Featherweight.

The number at the bottom of the machine allows for easy determination of the machine's date of manufacture. Those beginning with an A are American made, while those beginning with an E are made in Kilbowie Scotland and are of the 221K series.

Mine is: EE807976

EE  1947   EF  1948
Register Numbers from 807479 to 812483 suggest that machines were manufactures up to September 1948

More information can be found here and here.
Look at some Featherweights here.