Singer Featherweight Tutorial - Learn your Featherweight 221 inside and out!
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- Everything you ever wanted to learn about your Singer Featherweight 221! This tutorial will take you through an entire restoration of a 1949 Singer Featherweight. Learn how to take care of your Featherweight and fix a problem when it happens. Just here to fix your tension? We will cover that in this series! Want to learn how to thread your Featherweight and wind a bobbin? We will do that too! So, remember to subscribe so you know when the next video is released and most of all... Welcome! I'm glad you're here!
Here is the video that shows you how to reinstall the bed extension:
• How to install the bed...
Learn more about Sewing Machine Rehab at: www.sewingmachinerehab.com
Look below for links to most of the products you will need:
Shop the Singer Featherweight Shop for some supplies you need:
singer-feather...
I sell grease wicks for your Featherweight on my site! Here is where you can find them:
sewingmachiner...
List of supplies and links:
Various sized flat head screw drivers such as...
Chapman screwdrivers Kit No. 9600: amzn.to/47R4n7N
Craftsman Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver: amzn.to/3Ehii9o
Penetrating oil, I love Aerokroil by Kano: amzn.to/3R1a25h
Lily White Sewing Machine Oil: amzn.to/3Ej1O0F
Sew-Retro Sewing Machine Grease: singer-feather...
91% Isopropyl Alcohol: amzn.to/45tO7rv
Zymol Cleaner Wax: amzn.to/3P05c5o
Krud Kutter: amzn.to/3Ek2inh
Krud Kutter - The Must for Rust: amzn.to/3R2lKfR
Regular Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3YW22nS
Pointy Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3ECINXn
Old cotton t-shirts cut into pieces or other rags
Blue shop towels: amzn.to/45yO2D6
Sandwich bags (to keep parts together)
New Bed cushions for your Featherweight:singer-feather...
New Featherweight Drip Pad: singer-feather...
New LED lightbulb for your Featherweight: singer-feather...
New belt for your Featherweight: singer-feather...
New electronic style foot control: amzn.to/45tsNCH
Feeler gauge: amzn.to/3YZJbbq
Thread tension meter: singer-feather...
Tweezers: amzn.to/45Os7r7
Several small artist paint brushes and a 1" chip brush (you can buy on Amazon but they are cheaper at stores like Walmart and Harbor Freight)
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
**As an Featherweight Shop Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
I'm a Mechanical Engineer and you are impressive with your communication and instructional skill set. Great Job.
Thank you so much
I second this
I just acquired a Featherweight 221 and I'm over the moon about it and can't wait to tear into it but I'm petrified at the same time. I will have to rely on my DIY skills I've collected over the years and try to be fearless. LOL!! Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial, I can't wait to see the rest!! This is so nice of you to take time to do this for people like me, thank you so very much!
How exciting! Check out my tool and supply list in the description box so you will have what you need and take pictures as you need too. I especially recommend taking pictures of the wiring before you disconnect everything. You can do it, I am rooting for you!
I found one in the house we bought from a hoarder. He had put its wooden case into the throw away pile! The carry case needs restoration, I hope to work on that this winter. It really looks to be in pristine condition,but I haven’t used it because it is totally unfamiliar. But my 6 year old machine drives me nuts and I need a back up. The modern machine has an issue with its tension assembly which I can adjust, but haven’t figured out how to actually repair.
The very best guided tutorial for a Featherweight 221 by far!!
Thank you! That was my goal!
I’ve just bought a refurbished white 221K and wow!! I love it. Your tutorial is excellent and I know there will be differences on mine but you explain everything very clearly and plainly, thank you!!
How fun! I hope everything goes well, they are great little machines!
Thank you so much, I like to diy. I just got a singer featherweight and will do this while watching all your videos to the end. Your videos are clear and concise. The zoom in video helps to see what you’re doing. 😀😀😀
You are welcome, it is a fun process. I wish you the best of luck with yours!
@@SewingMachineRehab I was able to do the cleaning but did not take everything apart. Just the things you mentioned in the video. I think I have to have enough courage to take all of it apart. I'm scared, but watching your videos give me confidence. It is calming as you mentioned. Something about it that makes it feel that way. I'm not sure why!
Can you do a video about taking off the badge?
You are a treasure trove of information! Thank you, I am soo soo glad I found you!❤
Thank you! You are so very welcome!
you’ve made this just as i’ve gotten one! i wanna say you are so good at displaying and explaining everything. it’s a big help with such an old machine
How exciting! Good luck with your restoration!
So excited to find your video today. I love the calm methodical way you instruct.
I am glad you like my style! Thank you for watching!
I have great admiration for your ability to both take apart this machine and explain it so clearly. I bought a 1953 featherweight in 1972 for $50 with a high school graduation gift of cash. I’m fortunate to have a sewing store close by with an expert. There’s no way I could successfully do this! Thanks much.
That’s wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!
Thank You...
You are so welcome!
Great tutorial! Thank you.
Thank you!
I am so excited! I traded my brother-in-law a weight bench for my featherweight when I was just out of college. We had a fire in 2020 and it got dropped and otherwise manhandled. The case was broken and the foot control didn't make it back home. I thought all was lost until I found your tutorials. This is right down my alley! Do you think I am safe in assuming I can start restoring it before I get a new foot control? I'm itching to get started and I have some sewing to do! Thank you so much for these amazing tutorials.
Absolutely! I would order a new electronic style foot control off of Amazon. They are around $25 and better than the originals. Good luck with your restoration, how wonderful it will be to get it working again after all that it has been through!
A very informative and comprehensive tutorial. This is a sturdy little machine and very sweet to look at. I like the all metal parts, and the simplicity of vintage machines. I love the way you systematically covered every piece of this Featherweight. So nice to see videos of high quality. Excellent work! Thank you for this video gem. I have added some info from my own restoration of vintage machines, that may help viewers.
Some DIY tips for viewers:
1. If your machine is seized up and does not turn, fret not. Its an easy fix in every case with these manual machines. Someone used cheap oil (machine oil like 3-in-1 oil) on the joints and it dried up gummy and sticky. The way to unstick it, is to use a penetrating oil such as WD-40. So what is a penetrating oil? A low viscosity oil or 'thin' oil. That's it. It is thin so it penetrates into rusty locks, rusty hinges, gummed up sewing machine parts, etc. Always turn wheel TOWARD you. Going clockwise is the wrong way and will damage your timings and fine tuning of mechanism.
Don't waste your money on AeroKroil and Liquid Wrench. Use WD-40 or DIY your own with 50:50 mix of Acetone and ATF (Auto Transmission Fluid). In fact, as per a testing review by Project Farm on Utube, the DIY mix works best, Liquid Wrench is #2, and AeroKroil is very low on the quality list, but very high on price. WD-40 is a cheap and effective Penetrating Oil (P Oil) as well, not as fast, but won't harm paint like the DIY version.
Note that Acetone dissolves grease and gummy stuff well but can damage paint, graphics and plastic parts. Use a puppy pee pad to protect paint and avoid plastic. Scrub with a toothbrush all over the inside, wiping off with paper towel. Let some parts soak with repeated applications. Remove all access panels so you can thoroughly clean it and let waste fall outside the machine not on base. Oil it repeatedly, on stuck parts till they loosen up. Once machine is moving freely, wipe off all the P Oil, and scrub with rubbing alcohol ($2 at Costco) and wipe off.
Open up any sealed off gear boxes (2 screws) and remove all the old grease completely, scrub out with P Oil and alcohol. Repack with Silicone Grease (synthetic) not oil. Ditto for any gears in the machine - grease.
Lube everything with Triflow Silicone Oil/Lube or sewing machine oil. These will not break down like cheaper machine oil and will not make your machine gummed up if not used. Oil once a month and run it regularly to prevent seizing up.
Screwdrivers should match slot exactly or else you will strip the heads over time. This is a very important tip. That is why sewing machine technicians have a dizzying array of screwdrivers. Don't force it. Use WD-40 for screws that are on painted surfaces. Once they loosen, wipe clean and lube with Triflow.
Wipe painted surfaces clean with alcohol wipes - careful on graphics. Chrome sections are brightened by 0000 steel wool and mineral spirits (paint thinner), wipe clean. If you have heavy crud, use a bit if Awesome Cleaner from dollar store or Amazon. Good stuff.
Note: Hinge screw on table extension: Flat side touches machine, followed by curved washer, then screw. Dome side of washer should face screw head, and concave side should face machine. This allows the screw hinge to have a bit of spring type play when table is lifted up or down. It is not tight and stiff.
When installing a curved washer, the concave side should face the surface of the application (machine). Curved washers are metal washers with a bowed or curved circular shape, with a concave side that curves inwards and a convex side that curves outwards.
The original Simanco Singer bobbin case 45750 costs $100 USED! You don't need this. Perfectly good replicas are made in Taiwan (way better quality than China) and sell for $18 online.
The belt is called a COGGED belt and easy to find online. Measure the INSIDE of belt, and find something same or smaller. Belt has stretched with time, so never larger, always a tad smaller.
'FW bed cushions' or rubber feet are just little grommets you can match up at hardware store or places like RV supplies. They put them on RV stove grills to dampen the noise. No need to pay more. Same rubber made in the same shop in China.
Best way to clean up screws - 0000 steel wool or use a Dremel with a wire wheel. Wear goggles from Harbor Freight and an apron. Sand down the flat top with an emery board.
Please replace all your sewing machine lights with LED. No more heat that destroys Bakelite, plastic, and oil. So much better.
I made a whole sheet on light bulbs I cannot share here. There are two types: screw in type, and push in type.
Screw in base (like house light bulbs) are called Exx (Edison base). XX stands for a number. If base is standard light bulb diameter it is an E17. Smaller than that is E15, E12, which is candelabra style. Usually has a single point of contact at bottom (lead blob).
Push in type is called a Bayonet mount. It can be single or double mount which is either one or two blobs of lead at bottom of socket. Two prongs stick out either side. If you look for BA15D type bulb it is the same type.
Length of bulb is usually between 1.5 - 2 inches, look for closest length that is same or less than what you have.
Bulb type is glass, plastic, or silicone. Try to find silicone dipped bulbs, the best! Glass breaks, plastic casing distorts light.
Color of light ranges from 3000K (daylight) to 4000K (like halogen), to 6500K (blue white like fluorescent). I like the 3000 - 4000K best. Avoid 2700K - too yellow. Avoid 6000 - 6500K - too bluish white. K stands for Kelvin.
Ebay and Amazon have best prices. Sewing shops buy the same ones and double the price. I buy a pack of 5-10 of each kind, now I am set for life. I love the silicone ones, won't buy any other types.
Wow! So many helpful tips, thank you! It’s all about sharing what we have learned along the way, someone will find your tips and that will be just what they are looking for!
I just found this site, thanks so much. I have had a Featherweight since 1975 but didn't appreciate it as much as I do now. It needs a tune up for sure. I use it for my grands to learn to sew on because it doesn't intimidate them like a full sized machine with all the bells and whistles.
How blessed they are to learn on such a great machine! It's perfect and straight forward to use, perfect for a beginner. Maybe some of my videos will help with that tune up!
Hi Marie! I have dived in to restore my featherweight, and saw the blue Willow edition you collaborated on. WOW!2 things that I love! Vintage sewing machines, and blue willow China!
I love it too, it is such a unique machine and it just makes me feel peaceful every time I look at it. I hope your Featherweight restoration is a wonderful adventure and a huge success!
I just had my great grandmother’s serviced. Just needed a little tlc, new cord, and belt and feet.
Wonderful! These sweet little machines will sew for a long time if they have the proper care and maintenance. I love that they can be passed down from generation to generation. I hope you enjoy sewing with your great grandmother’s machine. :)
I learned so much from you! Thank you! I have a vintage Wilcox and Gibbs sewing machine, do you only singer machines? You are an excellent teacher! Thank you again
Devon Bailey
May 17, 2023
Hello! I do work on some other machines but most of my time is consumed with Singer machines because I restore them for customers. It is a real treat when I get to play with an old Bernina or Pfaff. I haven't worked with a Wilcox and Gibbs yet, what model do you have?
I have so enjoyed your UA-cam videos on the disassembly and reassembly of the featherweight machines. I purchased a machine from e-bay and received it last week. I have followed your videos exactly and my machine so far is working well. Last step is the motor reassembly. ( the motor was working before disassembly so I’m certain that this will be fine.)
When I purchased it there was a statement that the needle would not go down into the bobbin but with your videos I have overcome that issue.
Thanks so much for such incredible work you have done with your videos.
I did it. Completely renovated my white featherweight, thanks to you!!! I found some info specific to white FWs in other locations, but your tutorials were phenomenal! Thank you so much. ❤
Yay! Congratulations! So glad you found the videos helpful, that is all I could ever ask for!
Excellent explanation of how to clean the featherweight machine. Will refer back to it many times. Thank you!
You are welcome! So glad you found it helpful!
I always so grateful for people like you!
I just brought her home today! I can’t wait to see how she does!!!! Thank you for this video!
How exciting! I hope she is fabulous!
I'm so impressed with the detail of this tutorial.
Thank you! I had a lot of fun making this series and I hope you will find it helpful!
You are very, very empowering! I just bought a 1940 221 and a 1964 221K (green and white). I feel like I can easily follow all of your directions and restore both of my machines. Thank you!
How exciting! The green and white one will go a little differently than the other one, you will see quickly the differences. Glad you are following along!
So nice to see you up and going again. Thank you for sharing your time with these.
It took me a bit to plan this one out and get ready for it. The first video is always the hardest to get done, now it will be easy-peasy! Great to hear from you!
I plan to use a cross stitch thread divided box to separate all the parts when I take apart my two new featherweights and I’ll be following you!! You’re amazing at explaining everything 😊 thanks
If you decide to take the plunge I will help however I can! I try to get to comments and questions as much as I can…sometimes it takes me a few days. You can always email me at jen@sewingmachinerehab.com if you need to!
@@SewingMachineRehab Thanks so much.
Wow perfect timing. My girlfriend just gave me hers she owned since she was 16. It’s a white one in a beautiful green and beige carrying case. I am going to follow your steps and instructions and give it a make over too. Thanks so much. These are such wonderful machines and your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. 👍❤️
That’s so wonderful! There are a few differences on the white ones. They have an internal belt instead of being gear driven. But you will be able to follow along with a lot of what I will be showing you. One rule with the white ones is never get grease or oil on the toothed belt inside the machine. I’m sure you’re going to love it!
@@SewingMachineRehab thanks for that advice. Glad I found your channel ❤️👍
Excellent video. Thank you.
I so appreciate your methodical instructions👍 I've recently found your channel and binged on the Singer 301 series...so helpful! Now I'm excited to follow along on your 221 restoration series. You're really empowering me to not be afraid to get to know and be able to service my own vintage machines...thank you!
I am so happy when I hear comments like this, they are exactly why I wanted to make these videos. Glad they are helpful and thank you for letting me know so!
thank you so much for the zigzagger! and for the very useful gift and your kind words.
the quality it is absolutely impeccable. it arrived in 3 days from US to Canada.
i wanted to make this review directly on your site, but i think you don't have a special section for that. i am extremely satisfied with all our interactions and i am really happy i couldn't purchase this item directly and i had to contact you, because this gave me the chance to know such an amassing lady.
thank you for existing. the world is a much better place because of you!
Thank you! I am so glad you are happy with the zig zagger and it was wonderful to meet you! I am sure we will talk again soon :)
Great video thank you for the info I’m picking one up tonight this was supposed to work I am excited
Cool! Good luck with it!
This is very interresting and informative, thank you!
You are welcome!
Watched the series. So helpful! Thanks!
The fist time I used my singer feather weight the thread from the bobbin got stuck in the machine and I had to take the whole thing apart to get the thread out, it took me at last 30 minute to fix it! And now im nervous to use different fabrics with my machine, Lol.
Great video by the way!
Thank you! And I hope it’s working for you now!
Thank you so much for so generously sharing your knowledge!
You are welcome!
Anxious to learn more! I have several Singer machines. One in particular, I am interested in you restoring, possible having it painted as well.
How exciting! Feel free to email me at jen@sewingmachinerehab.com if you have any questions about me restoring one for you.
I like it.
😮
LOve your videos! Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so welcome!
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽fabulous series
Thank you!
Thank you.
You're welcome!
hey ! i was just gifted one by my great grandmother and its the same exact model. the motor seems to run great but my needle wont go down/ let me stitch. any advice ?? thank you ❤️
Hi! what a wonderful, special gift! Without seeing the machine or talking to you more it is hard to say. But I would first check the stop motion knob to make sure that it is turned all the way clockwise. If you can't turn the machine at all by hand then it could be something else. Hope that helps a little!
Do you restore 301's also? What do you set under your machines when you disassemble them? Thin cotton batting batting
Hi! Yes I do, I have a complete 301 restoration playlist. I usually use old bath towels under my machines. Protects from scratches as you are flipping the machine around and makes it a little harder for screws to bounce and roll away. :)
@@SewingMachineRehab omg, I have lost teeny screws.
Do you sell parts? I have questions and we have NO decent repairman. 😕 I have the Zymol, that you use...it's amazing!!!
@@juliepruett6356 I don't sell parts because I am such a small business. But, you can find a lot of what you need at the Singer Featherweight shop usually. If not there then I usually check out Ebay. I hope that helps!
hello I love all your beautiful sewing machines😃👍👍🧵
Thank you! So do I!
What type of “tool box” have you discovered works well to store all your tools in? I want to keep them all together because I now have 5 featherweights I need to work on.
Hello! I actually have a big Husky work bench. It just makes the most sense for me and I am able to keep everything in one place, right where I am working. It has outlets on the side, very nifty! It was an investment but since I do this every day and sometimes have 7 or 8 machines going...I needed it. If you have a harbor freight in your area I would check there, they have a lot of great options for tool boxes or benches and they seem to be the most affordable. Hope that helps!
Can a decal be removed without messing up the black paint underneath most of the machine is perfect except for one piece I would like to remove and replace
Hi! That is a good question and the answer is maybe. You would have to remove all of the clear coat to get to the decals. It might be hard to get them off without damaging the paint. Then once you have the new decals on you would need to clear coat over them or they will come off. So, it all depends on how much work you are willing to do. You would have to remove ALL of the clear coat, not just what is over the decals. It can get pretty messy. Let me know if you do it and succeed!
I'm working on my 5th Featherweight 221 right now. Do you have any tips for super tight screws on the rubber feet for the machine? I've cleaned out all of the old, mushed bed cushions and cleared the screw slots, and oiled the screws but they are so tight I'm afraid I'm going to strip the slots. Also, how do you clean off the screws? Thanks!
Hi! If I had that issue I would use a high quality penetrating oil and I would spray the screws from the opposite end. So, the machine would be sitting as if you were ready to sew on it and you will see the ends of the screws on each of the four corners of the machine. I would spray the oil on those ends and let it soak down towards the heads of the screws. If that makes sense. Once I had the screws out I would clean the threads with a tooth brush and then use a rust remover on them, especially on the heads of the screws. If the penetrating oil alone is not enough, then you can try adding heat with a hair dryer. Usually a couple soaks with oil overnight will do the trick though, and always, always make sure you have a well fitting bit for the head of the screw. Good luck!
@@SewingMachineRehab Thank you so much! I'll give that a try!
@@SewingMachineRehab A trick I learned from my job as a technician: Using the correctly sized screwdriver (AND AFTER YOUR ABOVE TIPS HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED) very lightly tap the end of the screwdriver handle, as if you were trying to nail the screw in. It is important to only tap lightly. You are only trying to loosen up any rust/residue.
Question: When taking apart the motor and removing the springs where you grease; one of my springs was broke. Where do I get a replacement? Thank you
Hello, sorry for the delay in responding. I haven’t found replacement springs but the springs that are on the motor brushes are the same diameter. I save them from all my worn down motor brushes and cut them to length when I need to replace a grease wick spring. That is the best solution I have been able to come up with so far. I hope that helps!
Hi! My name is Graça Clifford, I just bought one of this cutie👏🏽 but I am having some problem with it😢I believe you can help me😢
Hi! I think I answered your question in another comment you left but you can email me at jen@sewingmachinerehab.com
I just bought my first featherweight, it came without a foot pedal. The terminal Bakerite receptacle has 3 flat prongs ,I can't find a pedal /cord. Any suggestions would help . Thanks .
Hi! It sounds like you may have purchased a machine that is 220 volts. That works in the UK. Check the band on your motor, you may need a converter to run it. Send me an email to jen@sewingmachinerehab.com and I will try to help you sort it out.
I have a need for a replacement catch for my fairweight case, any ideas please
I am responding to this a little late, did you see if the Singer Featherweight Shop carries what you need? I don’t restore many cases, just the machines so I can’t recommend anywhere, good luck!
How many machines have you re-done
Hi! I stopped counting after 25. There have been so many and each one has been its own little adventure. It is such an enjoyable hobby!
How do you know the age of your featherweight?
I use this website, you just need the serial number: ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html
Does this machine sew through thick material?
Hi! Personally I don’t think the Featherweights were designed for continuous heavy duty work. They were a machine for the home seamstress so they could handle things like drapery and denim but not in the sense that they were meant to sew those types of things all day long. If you are thinking of leather, there are so many types of leather out there it really needs to be specified what kind of leather. Some of the thin, buttery garment leathers should do fine but nothing heavy like belts and the like. I hope that helps!
Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it
I made a rag quilt for my son using denim and my featherweight was perfect for the job .. she never hiccuped.
Hi I just took a maintenance class at a quilt show for the 221They said to use Kerosene to clean the dried grease. Is Krud Kutter better to use. i am hesitant to use Kerosene
Hi! You can use kerosene but I personally don't like to. Only because of the smell and how flammable it is. Then I also have to consider how I will dispose of all the rags that have kerosene on them. For me, it just isn't practical. If you are removing parts that do not have paint on them you can clean them with Krud Kutter and dry them and they will be fine. Just don't use it on any painted parts, that includes the numbered tension dial and indicator. You can also use alcohol on a q-tip to clean some of the unpainted parts that you decide to clean in place on the machine, just don't let it drip onto any of the paint. Some people say that kerosene won't damage the paint but I wouldn't risk putting anything other than sewing machine oil or a cleaner wax on the paint. I use the oil first to get off most of the grime and then polish with a cleaner wax like Zymol. I hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
How old is your audience?
Hi! You know, I wasn’t sure so I looked. It looks like I have an age range from 20’s to 70’s and beyond. It was interesting to see, thanks for asking!
could you tell me where you get the feeler gauge?
Hi, I purchased mine off of Amazon. I think I just searched “feeler gauge” and a bunch popped up. Handy to have around!
@@SewingMachineRehab Thank you so much.
Olá tem como colocar legendas em português Brasil.
Olá estou incrito no seu canal
Olá, vou tentar fazer isso, sei que seria útil. Obrigado por sugerir isso.
Hipster machine. Not practical. There are plenty of lightweight vintage machines made of light alloy. No need to get your hand burned by the bulb of punctured because of tight space
Fabulous! I've had mine since 1970; cleaned it once, but not throughly like this. On my way!
You are in for a treat! Good luck and let me know if you need help!
I cannot get the set screw to turn in the counterweight in the thread take up linkage. Any suggestions? I have used penetrating oil, WD 40 and liquid wrench and have tapped it.
Hi, I am so sorry you have a stuck screw…sometimes that just happens and if you don’t want to risk damaging the screw then you have to clean it in place. It sounds like you have tried all the tricks. I think you can get away with cleaning that portion in place and still end up with a wonderfully working machine. Once those screw heads are damaged they are very hard to remove….