To date your Singer Featherweight, you will need to locate the serial number on the bottom of your machine. It has two letters followed by a series of six numbers. Using the serial number you can use the three charts below to find the date when your machine was given a batch assignment at the factory.
Full Answer
How do I Date my Singer Featherweight sewing machine?
Dating your Singer Featherweight is not going to be hard because Singer kept excellent records and the machines were made at the right time in history. The serial numbers for both the 221 and 222 are found on the bottom of the machine. Sometimes they were placed inside the bottom tray or underneath it.
How can I tell how old my Singer Featherweight is?
To date your Singer Featherweight, you will need to locate the serial number on the bottom of your machine. It has two letters followed by a series of six numbers.
Why do singer Featherweights have serial numbers starting with J?
Featherweights having serial numbers that begin with the letter 'J' were mostly made at the St. John's, Quebec Factory in Canada. Singer Featherweights made outside of the US were also given a suffix to their actual model number.
How old is a singer 221 featherweight?
The 221 went on to be made until 1969 although the exact number produced is not known. This may be a lot simpler than it sounds. Because the machine became so popular and Singer liked it so much, they made sure it could be identified very easily. Prior to 1953, the 221 was the only model of the featherweight made.
How do you tell the year of a featherweight?
To date your Singer Featherweight, you will need to locate the serial number on the bottom of your machine. It has two letters followed by a series of six numbers. Using the serial number you can use the three charts below to find the date when your machine was given a batch assignment at the factory.
What year was the Singer Featherweight 221 1 made?
1933On October 3, 1933, Singer commissioned the first batch of 10,000 model 221 sewing machines, marketing them as the Singer Featherweight.
How do I find out what year my Singer sewing machine is?
To identify when a model was made, you need to first find the Singer sewing machine serial number. It's near the on/off switch on newer machines, and on the front panel or on a small plate on older machines. Once you've found the number, match it to the date in the chart below to discover the age of your machine.
How do I identify my featherweight sewing machine?
You can quickly determine which plant your machine was manufactured in by looking at the serial number on the bottom of your machine. Serial numbers for Singer Featherweights are located on a raised boss on the underside of the machine.
How much did a Singer Featherweight cost in 1933?
The first Singer Featherweight machine was offered on October 3, 1933 during the Great Depression. It weighed 11 pounds and cost $125. Singer Featherweights were produced from 1933 until the late 1960's.
What is my Singer Featherweight worth?
In contrast, the average current price for a SINGER® 221 Featherweight is $350.00. The rarer, and even more desirable, SINGER® 222K is currently selling for between $800 and $2000.
How do I tell what model my Singer is?
Look for the model number of your Singer sewing machine on the handwheel of the machine. This is located near the electric cord receptacle and close to the on/off switch for machines that were manufactured from 1990 onward. You may see the word "Model" followed by four numbers.
What Singer sewing machines are worth money?
These antique Singer machines can be very valuable as well.1851 - First Singer Sewing Machine. Source. ... 1856 - Singer Turtleback. ... 1859 - Singer Letter A. ... 1865 - Singer New Family. ... 1867 - Singer "Medium" ... 1908 - Singer Model 66. ... 1921 - Singer Electric Model 99. ... 1933 - Singer Featherweight 221.More items...
Where is Singer serial number?
Typically located on the right hand side on a small plate on the front of the machine.
What years were Featherweight sewing machines made?
The Singer Featherweight is a model series of lockstitch domestic sewing machines produced by the Singer Manufacturing Company from 1933 to 1968, significant among sewing machines for their continuing popularity, active use by quilters and high collector's value.
What is the difference between a Singer 221 and 222?
The width of the machine area under the presser bar lifter varies slightly on a 221 compared to a 222. The 221 measures 21/64th inch. The 222 measures 23/64th inch. Even this minute but measurable difference can affect a proper fit for some vintage mechanical attachments.
How to tell which plant a Singer featherweight is manufactured in?
You can quickly determine which plant your machine was manufactured in by looking at the serial number on the bottom of your machine. Serial numbers for Singer Featherweights are located on a raised boss on the underside of the machine. Lay your machine on its back and look on the left hand side of the main body (not the folding extension table).
What is the birthdate of a Singer sewing machine?
The date often given by the Singer corporation as a machine's "birthdate" is actually the date the batches of serial numbers were released for production. As a classic example: I own a 1951 "badged" Centennial of Sewing machine that obviously is from 1951. However, the serial number on the machine is from 1949.
When was the Singer featherweight made?
It has the data you need to get an accurate age and possible value. The featherweight was made between 1933 and 1961 with some extended up to 1968 or 69. Featherweight Sewing Machines 101.
How big is a Singer featherweight sewing machine?
Despite is lightweight, the featherweight sewing machine listed in approx. At 18 by 14 by 12 inches overall. That may not be the correct size for all the different 221 and 222 models made by Singer.
When was the featherweight sewing machine invented?
The Featherweight Sewing Machine History. It was Oct. 3, 1933, when the company commissioned its new Featherweight sewing machine model. It was called the 221 and 10,000 were ordered for the first run.
When did the sewing machine come out?
Then the sewing machine made its debut at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair and the badge depicts that debut with the Chicago name and date.
Where is the serial number on a featherweight?
Featherweight Serial Numbers. The serial numbers for both the 221 and 222 are found on the bottom of the machine. Sometimes they were placed inside the bottom tray or underneath it. Generally, they will be found next to the bottom tray. The serial numbers start with 2 letters then have 6 digits following those letters.
When was the Singer 222 made?
This was due to the Limitation Order L-98, In 1953 Singer made the 222 but that machine was not marketed in America but in other western countries only. This model continued to be produced until 1961. The 221 went on to be made until 1969 although the exact number produced is not known.
Is a sewing machine hard to get?
They seem to be easy to use and can be threaded without too much trouble. Parts shouldn’t be too hard to get as they are a sewing machine that many people still use today when they can get their hands on one.
When did Singers have two serial numbers?
Why two serial numbers? Very early Singers from the 1850's up until the start of prefix letters in 1900 had two serial numbers. There is a lot of controversy over why there were two lots of numbers.
Who is Alex from the sewing industry?
Alex has spent a lifetime in the sewing industry and is considered one of the foremost experts of pioneering machines and their inventors. He has written extensively for trade magazines, radio, television, books and publications world wide.
