JBeamer

As somone fairly new to both the QB and quilting, and especially vintage machines what is an open arm 222? What is the difference between the 221 and the 222? Thanks.
Now proud owner of a 221.
Judy

ewecansew

Beautiful machine. I love my 222 but I usually leave it in my travel trailer and only use it in the summer when we are camping at electricity supplied campsites. So fun to set it out on the picnic table and sew. Great price, even here in Canada. Have you had a chance to get a birthdate for her yet?

ewecansew

JBeamer---differences in 221 and 222, first is the free-arm on the 222, and being able to drop the feed dogs on the 222. 222's were more widely distributed in the UK, Canada and Australia, possibly because of patents on the free arm in the USA and were manufactured in Canada and Scotland, not the USA.

JBeamer

Thanks ewecansew.

ArchaicArcane

Thank you so much! The only thing I did purposely in my story telling was to not mention it was a 222 in the title. I figured springing that surprise was almost as good as being there.

I spent the evening resolving all of her little issues. She turns beautifully now and sews a lovely stitch, just like I knew she could. I changed the belt. It was the hook that was turning too much, so her timing was off. (when I "tested" her at the shop, I removed the needle and let her try to run. I figured if there was a timing problem, I didn't need to slam the needle into anything, and knew I could deal with timing if need be. I'd already seen the finger was out of place. I was so not going to pass her up over a "service" issue.) I fixed that. Disassembled her bobbin case and cleaned it up and reassembled and it works now. Adjusted the tensions top and bottom. She's had 4 of her 5 feet changed, I have one on order. Greased her motor and gears, gave her tons of oil. (I wouldn't normally do that, but she was turning pretty poorly) Then I ran her full out for a couple of minutes, and fine tuned everything and test sewed. All in all, she needed less than $2 in parts because of what I already had here stocked.

Hopefully tomorrow or the next day, I'll get her cleaned up and be able to post her "After" shots.


I've never seen a white 221 in person. I'd love to know what you think of it. I heard once that when people go to places that sewers congregate that it's recommended that you take your bobbin case with you, because some people will take them. I think that's terrible! DH said even if this machine was missing the bobbin case, we would have brought it home anyway. It would just have made her a $350 machine instead. He's a keeper.

Now that she's up and running, even still grungy, I love love love her! (even more) She sounds somehow different than the 221s I have, and just purrs.

I couldn't have explained it better than ewecansew. For instance, I didn't know that about the patents. I did read though that there were only something like 2000 of them officially brought to the US, so I get why you guys don't see many of them. Though my understanding was that they were all made in Scotland, and the North American machines were all fitted with 110 volt motors at the St. Jean sur Richelieu plant in Quebec (Canada). Apparently that helped Singer avoid some taxes or import fees as well, since by that time, a sewing machine wasn't complete without a motor.

I totally can't remember where I read / heard all that though.

Either way, they're both great machines. And they like to congregate in herds. Congrats on starting your herd.

Oh my!! I'm surprised you leave her out there! I'm guessing you're in the southern part of BC,.. the colder parts wouldn't be very good for her. If I left her in our trailer, she'd be a shivering mass of paint flakes and naked aluminum in no time! I mentioned to DH that maybe as a "cheaper" vacation this year, we could take the trailer out somewhere and just "be" for a bit, rather than our motorcycle trips, or whirlwind trips to the states. (though the thought of hitting a few places for machines and fabric does sound good...) I wonder what he'll think when I bring the FW out and start sewing.

I can't believe I forgot to post her birthday info. I looked it up last night as my aunt was fawning over her.
Her serial number was allocated February 26, 1957. On my aunt's 3rd birthday.

Caroline S

An interesting note for you Tammi. One of the accessories for the 222K is an embroidery hoop, the Singer part number is 171074. Also there were only about 1800 free arm machines were sold in the U.S. out of about 10,000 a total estimated production. My source for the information is "Featherweight 221 - The Perfect Portable" by Nancy Johnson-Srebo. If you have a Featherweight you have to get this book. The 222K is the Holy Grail of the Featherweight world.

red-warrior

Congrats!!!!

jbj137

Don't ya just love it when things that happens?

chichimamma

Oh! It's a great feeling to find one, mine was at a Antique flea market that they put on about four times a year at Ky. fairgrounds. We haven't ever found one but my husband ask a dealer if he knew anyone who had one. Well the man said he had a couple, he could bring in the next day-could I come back? Wasn't that about the silliest question you ever heard? I now own a pristine, case and all pieces FW, even the original tube of oil(dried up) for $200!

ewecansew

I do leave her out in the travel trailer. She has weathered just fine--our weather is more like Calgary. We live in north Central BC---south of PG. I would be way more concerned with Vancouver weather--way too wet for me--I don't like webbed feet.
The birthdate for mine is Mar. 14, 1955---EK327124 and my MIL's-now owned by SIL is Mar.2, 1956--EL179751.