skip to main |
skip to sidebar
This is sewing machine #7 as I'm taking inventory of my machine collection, a Singer 221 (a.k.a., Featherweight).
This machine was manufactured in 1957, and purchased on April 21, 1959 by the original owner up here in Waukeegan, Illinois. I picked it up all the way down in Carbondale, Illinois about 20 years ago (because I'm just THAT old, y'all) in a thrift shop. Actually, there were TWO Featherweights in the shop, this one and an older one in rougher shape. They were both priced at $50, and I talked the shop owner into letting me have BOTH for $75. He knew I got a good deal after I handed the cash over, dropped my poker face and did a victory dance before leaving the shop. I'll never forget it, he said "Uh oh. What just happened here?" Luckily we were on good terms and there were no hard feelings, but that is by far my best thrift store find story!
Judging by the decent shape the machine was in and the fact that the original owner's reciept was still in the carrying case with the manual, I'd say I'm the second owner of this sweet little machine.
The only issue with this machine is a slight power problem, it just doesn't sew very fast. Not as fast as my other featherweight at all. I had the electical cords replaced a few years ago, and the original foot control is in great shape. In fact, the foot controller works like gangbusters on the other featherweight. I've also replaced the belt and had it properly adjusted, but it still just doesn't sew as fast as it should.
I do remember that the grease tubes were bone dry when I bought it, and I'm afraid the motor may have been run dry in the past. But, since I only use this one once in awhile, I'm not ready to try replacing the motor yet. I guess it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it!
If you'd like to see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click back to read about:
#6. 1934 Singer 99-13
#3, #4, and #5. 1922 Singer 66, C.1900 Vibrating Shuttle, and Singer 114K103
#2. 1919 Singer 128
#1. 1901 Singer 15-30 Custom
People celebrate Earth Day in April many different ways, but my favorite way to honor the day is to pass along some ways that sewing can help you repurpose, reuse, and recycle.
I'll be offering a really fun recycling drop-in-and-sew project here in Chicagoland; repurposing an old tee into a reusable shopping bag. We'll start with an old tee (the bigger the tee, the bigger the shopping bag)...
...and with a few cuts and a few quick stitches, you'll end up with a roomy, reusable shopping bag...
...that folds up into a small, portable package!
These bags are perfect to keep around for those quick shopping trips to the supermarket or drug store, or for a little Saturday afternoon shopping. Keep a few in your car to save yourself from bringing home any more plastic bags, and make some as gifts for friends and family.
Drop in and craft one up with me at either of these locations: check in with me at Facebook for more detailed event information closer to each date.
I'm looking at machine #6 in my sewing machine inventory today, and this 1934 Singer 99-13 is near and dear to my heart. This is the first vintage machine I ever bought, found in a Southern Illinois thrift store sometime around 1990.
The 99's are a 3/4 sized machine, basically a mini-version of the 66, and this model was one of the first sewing machines advertised to be totally "portable." Although at about 25 lbs in the case, it's not quite as portable as a modern lightweight machine or even a featherweight.
Since this is a "portable" machine, it has an ingenious way of storing all of the extras. Inside the wooden case is a space for the attachment box and a place for a metal bar shaped like a question mark.
The metal bar is a knee control, attaching to the front of the wooden base and taking the place of a foot control! It is a pretty cool way to sew, no chasing after a foot as it walks away from you on the floor. This machine really does sew wonderfully, I have always enjoyed sewing with it. I set it up last week and have been doing a little bit of piecing on it, enjoying every stitch.
It really is a pretty little machine. I was drawn to it esthetically when I bought it, and then after sewing with it I completely fell in love. This machine is the reason I continued to purchase vintage sewing machines, because I knew they just didn't make them like this any more.
The only thing I'm doing to this baby is adding some small metal handles to the base to make it easier for me to lift and carry. After I added handles to the wooden base of the 15-30, I couldn't believe I ever repeatedly lifted machines without adding them sooner!
I'm planning on sewing on her again tonight before moving on to the next machine in my inventory - which will be whatever machine I grab off the shelf next!
To see some of the other machines in my collection, you can click on the links below. Happy stitching!
#3, #4, and #5: 1922 Singer 66, C.1900 Vibrating Shuttle, and Singer 114K103
#2. 1919 Singer 128
#1. 1901 Singer 15-30 Custom
