| In 1933, when Isaac Singer first introduced the | | | | original owners. |
| Featherweight model 221 sewing machine at the | | | | Remaining in production until 1960 (except for a few |
| Chicago World's Fair, he unveiled a machine who's | | | | years during WW II), with approximately 2.5 million units |
| history stretched back over 80 years. The foundation | | | | produced, the Featherweight 221 is one of the most |
| of the Featherweight 221's longevity can be traced | | | | recognizable machines of the 20th Century. It's all |
| back to 1850 when Allen Wilson received his patent | | | | metal, mostly aluminum construction, was critical in not |
| for the rotary-hook stitch forming mechanism. Four | | | | only dropping its weight to a mere 11 lbs, but also made |
| years later in 1854 Wilson would receive another | | | | it highly durable. The full rotary mechanism also allowed |
| patent for his four-motion feed. These 2 inventions | | | | it to operate very quietly and efficiently. When not in |
| signaled the birth of the modern sewing machine. | | | | use, the machine could be placed in a special carrying |
| Today, all modern electric sewing machines still use | | | | case so it could be stored out of sight (in a closet). |
| both the rotary mechanism and four-motion feed. | | | | Prior to WW II, when Singer had to stop making the |
| From 1850 to 1880, the Wheeler and Wilson Company | | | | 221, creative salesmen informed prospective |
| manufactured more sewing machines than any other | | | | customers that if they purchased the Featherweight, |
| company, except Singer. Due to illness, Wilson left the | | | | they would give them the case for free! |
| business and later in 1905, Singer bought out Wheeler | | | | Although the 221 was only capable of a straight stitch, |
| and Wilson Company. | | | | its reliability made it the preferred sewing machine of |
| In 1900, Singer introduced the Model 66, which featured | | | | the American housewife for decades. The 221's |
| the innovative top loading bobbin. Singer would then | | | | longevity may also be partly due to the fact that the |
| introduce the Model 101 sewing machine in 1915. | | | | self contained machine also came with 6 attachments. |
| Although it was the first true electric machine it was | | | | These were a ruffler, wide hemmer, narrow hemmer, |
| unsuccessful, probably due to its incredible cost of | | | | edge stitcher, gathering foot and binder. Singer also |
| $250! In the 1920's Singer introduced the Model 99, and | | | | included 2 screwdrivers, one for the machine and one |
| ¾ size version of their Model 66, but it was still | | | | to adjust the thread tension. |
| much too heavy to be a portable machine. Finally, in | | | | With such versatility, in such a small package, it's no |
| 1933 Singer unveiled the Featherweight 221. | | | | wonder the 221 was typically the first, and last, sewing |
| The Singer Featherweight Model 221 was the first truly | | | | machine many would purchase. So it's no wonder that |
| portable, self contained, electric sewing machine. | | | | close to 50 years after it was last produced, the |
| Today, if properly cared for, the 221 will sew just as | | | | Singer Featherweight 221 is still such a highly sought |
| well as when it was first manufactured. In fact, today | | | | after sewing machine. |
| ~1% of all Featherweights are still in the hands of their | | | | |