221 Featherweight Centennial
This is my Singer Centennial Edition Model 221 Featherweight, serial number A416458, made in 1951. Singer introduced the Model 221 Featherweight in 1933 and ended production in 1957. Unlike previous Singer portables which were simply scaled-down ¾ sized versions of full size machines, the Featherweight was a true portable machine which was designed from its inception as a compact, lightweight aluminum, portable machine. They were hugely successful with more than 1.75 million had been made. The British version was the Featherweight 221K which was produced in the Singer factory in Kilbowie, Scotland from 1947 until the late 1960's after more than 350,000 had been produced. During the Second Word War a few 221’s were produced with a black crinkle finish. Uniquely these had narrow grooves machined around the edge of the bed. Some of these also had a special faceplate with matching grooves. With chrome in short supply ‘Blackside‘ models also appeared for a short time after WW2. These were fitted with chemically blacked faceplates instead of the normal chrome ones. All Model 221 Featherweights were belt driven with an electric motor and used 15x1 needles. By the early 1960's with sales of the classic black model dropping, the factory started to produce a new white Featherweight variant, the 221K-7. The white Featherwieghts ranged in color from creamy white to ivory to ‘celery‘ or pale green-white. 221J tan variants range from creamy beige to light brown. These were the only original colors made. Today, the Model 221 Featherweight, regardless of variant, enjoys a near-cult like following among collectors and enthusiasts.
The black Model 221 came in a black carry case, similar to LP record cases, covered in thin black fabric. The patterning on the fabric changed in design over the years of production, so did the box interiors. The carry case for the white Model 221K-7 came in different color combinations of two tone light blue base and dark turquoise blue lid to pale blue and white versions, making them look very sporty but the writing was on the wall and production ceased in the late 60‘s.
In 1936, a very rare red Texas Centennial Badge was attached to a few Model 221 Featherweights. It was the standard Singer emblem with the addition of the inscription “Texas Centennial Exposition 1836 1936” inscribed in a red band around the outside of the oval.
In 1951 the Singer celebrated its centennial by producing a special badge for their Featherweight 221‘s and 221K‘s. It was the standard Singer emblem with the addition of the inscription “A Century of Sewing Service 1851-1951” inscribed in a blue band around the outside of the oval. These limited edition badged models were made for only one year with a total production run. Until mid-1953 the model number did not appear on the machine, but after this a separate model number plate was riveted onto the body just below the Singer badge. The later white variants used a printed badge which was glued into place.
Singer offered a folding utility table for the Model 221. It resembled a card table with folding legs and a removable cut-out on the table top into which the sewing machine fit into (it’s weight was supported by a built in bracket under the table top. It was intended for small homes which did not have the space for a cabinet. The folding card table could be easily stored in a closet without taking up much room.
Singer also offered a small early American style Colonial cabinet in which to store and use the Model 221 for those who preferred a compact cabinet instead of the table.
When my Model 221 Featherweight was made in 1951, most Americans took the train for long trips in the US. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, but the highway system took decades to be built. Until it was completed, travel by car or bus across state lines was a long and arduous journey because state roads were smaller and often poorly maintained. Women travelling long distances with Featherweights typically rode the train, and the case was designed to facilitate travel. Before the advent of jet liners, train was the way to go. You could even pull out your Featherweight and sew on the train while you traveled. It surely beat cramped in a car on bad roads for 20 hours with no air conditioning, no bathroom, and bad food options.
