We are the internet's most active Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine
dealers, and
we will buy or can help you sell your Singer 221 or 222
Featherweight! We have Singer Featherweight sewing machines
available for sale on our sales site
www.Patented-Antiques.com if
you are looking to buy a Singer 221 now.
The
Singer 221 "Featherweight" is the most popular sewing machine ever
made that is still being widely used! Singer 221s - 222s were produced
from the 1930's through
the 1970's,
and these compact and
lightweight portable electric sewing machines have become a favorite
with today's quilters, crafters, fabric artisans, and vintage / antique
sewing machine collectors. If you have ever sewn on one you will understand why!
As the demand for these machines has
grown, so too has the
information about the history of the machines that
the Singer Sewing Machine Co. called their "Model 221" and "Model 222",
and that collectors and users call "The Perfect Portable".
Several books have been published about these popular sewing machines.
* * Singer Featherweight Facts * *
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Singer Featherweights were made in the
US, the UK, and Canada.
-
The difference between the
221's and the 222's is the "Freearm" feature of the 222's, which allows
a portion of
the flat surface to be removed leaving a tubular bed that
allows for sewing around pant legs, sleeves, and other circular or limited access areas.
-
Freearm 222 Featherweights typically sell for
two to three times more than a typical 221 Featherweight sewing
machine.
-
Featherweights came in 3 basic colors with several
variations---Black,
White, and Tan.
-
Most black models have a shiny
finish, however there was also a black matte or crinkle finish model produced
for a short period of time during WWII, shown on the right, and it is very
collectible and commands a premium price.
-
There are three other Singer Featherweight variations that
are highly sought after and command premium prices, and these are referred to a
s the Expo models, produced in very limited quantities specifically for the
Texas Centennial Exposition, the Chicago Century of Progress
Exposition, and the San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition.
-
White Singer 221 models range in color from creamy
white to ivory to "celery" or a pale green-white. Tan
Singer 221 J models
range from creamy beige to light brown. White and tan models
tend to fluctuate in popularity so prices can be up and down,
but typically they bring somewhat more than comparable condition
black Featherweights.
-
Singer Featherweight sewing
machines were never produced in red, blue,
purple, raspberry or anything similar. Nor were they ever produced
with floral decals or polka dots. These color machines
that you periodically see offered up for sale on the Internet
are machines that have been powder-coated / re-painted.
Some people like them for their novelty, but they are not
original or rare.
-
Singer 221 and 222 sewing machines came in a
"leatherette" covered rectangular wooden carry case which make them "the
perfect portable". 
-
The serial number on the bottom of the
machine can be used to figure out the approximate production
date of the sewing machine.
You can find dating charts on various internet sites, including
Singer's own site. Although often referred to as the
machine's "birth date" it is more accurately the date the
production run for that series of machines was assigned.
-
Although the basic design of the Singer 221 sewing machine stayed the
same over the years there were several variations in cosmetic
appearance. Earlier machines had what collectors refer to as the
Egyptian scrollwork pattern etched on the chrome plated endplate.
Later machines had a striated or striped design faceplate. The pattern of
the gold decal around the perimeter of the bed also went from a more
circular scrollwork
design to a more geometric linear pattern.
-
I sell most Singer 221 Featherweights in the $595-$750
and up price range from my sales page at
www.Patented-Antiques.com The exact details of cosmetic condition are critical
to the value.
Machines that sew well but show loss to the gold decals, or scratches,
or chipped paint sell at the lesser end of the range. Machines that are in
close to pristine condition sell for upwards of $750.
It's all in the details of condition, and even minor blemishes makes a huge difference
in price. Singer model 222s and 221 machines that are
unusual variations can sell for much, much more.
Featherweight
Consignment Sales
* * * * * * * * * * * *
As experienced and
enthusiastic dealers of Singer Featherweight
sewing machines we are always interested in buying or helping you sell your
Singer Featherweight machines through the Consignment Program we offer,
typically for more than you would realize from selling in other venues.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Most Featherweight buyers want to buy a machine from someone they
trust, someone who has expertise, someone they can talk to before
making
the purchase, and someone
who will stand behind the sale. Many
potential buyers do
not like the anonymity the internet venues like Ebay, and for good
reason, and this can hold
prices down.
We service every Featherweight we sell and include a
1-year guarantee on every machine. When you partner up with us you
get the benefit of our expertise, our reputation, and the benefits of
dealing with a real person!
If you have a Featherweight 221 or 222 sewing machine in excellent condition,
and most especially if you are looking to sell a Featherweight that is one of the desirable variations---the
Century of Progress, Texas Exposition, or San Francisco Golden
Gate Exposition models---we can achieve the highest value for your machine, and we make the entire process very easy for you.
For more information about consigning with us please visit our
Singer Featherweight Information page
at
www.patented-antiques.com.
And click here to view some
of our
testimonials from happy Featherweight customers!
Please contact us at
ilovefeatherweights@gmail.com
.
To see some of the many Singer Featherweight sewing machines that we have
sold online, please go to our
Singer Featherweight
Archive Page on this site.
To see Singer Featherweights and
other antique sewing machines that we currently have
available for sale, please go to our sister site
at www.Patented-Antiques.com
Thank you!!
Larry & Carole
Larry & Carole Meeker
