Singer 221-K Featherweight: Esther

This is my first Featherweight.  It's a 221-K, says made in Great Brittain. My research shows that it was made in Clydebank, Scotland, at the Kilbowie Plant. Hence, the -K on the model number.  US made models are 221.  The motor is made in Canada.  According to the Singer Co. site, it was born in 1960. Searching for more detailed information resulted in a couple of sites showing that based on the serial number, it was made either in October 19 or November 3 of 1960, and only 2,500 of them were made during this period. Black Featherweights were made to 1961, so this was one of the last black ones made.

If it was indeed made on November 3, it is my parents wedding anniversary. I don't know which year it was but it's around 1960 that they got married. (My Singer 15-91 was born on the same year my mother was born. Interesting relationships I'm having with sewing machines....)

It came with the manual, foot pedal, and a few feet, a couple of bobbins, little screw drivers, and the key to the case.

It has a simple faceplate, unlike my Singer 15-91 which has a scroll faceplate.

Ever since I sew saw one at a garage sale, and I was amazed at how cute and small the machine was, I've wanted one.

It showed up one day when I wasn't even specifically looking for one.


I was learning back then that there was this interesting destiny dance when it came to looking for vintage sewing machines. "The right machine will show up at the right time."  It is really true. So I decided to wait, rather than actively looking for one. It sure came to me!

At this pristine condition, and the price was amazingly reasonable, I knew she was for me!












 Ooooo, and did I mention it has a Red-S badge? 

I read that Red-S badges are rare, though I don't know how rare. It sure is pretty.  I don't think this machine was used much.  All these photos were taken as I took it out of the case. I hadn't cleaned, polished, or anything. No obvious harsh scratches. Decals are perfect.  Shiny, shiny. All in all, in perfect shape!

 Here is the bottom.  When I removed the drip pan to see inside, again, I was surprised how clean it was. I wasn't sure if this sewing machine was ever used until I opened up the bottom, there it did have some old oil residue. (Well, maybe it was oiled but never used?! Maybe used just once?!)






It was owned by Ms. or Mrs. or Mr. Lennon.  John?!

The case was a bit scratched. So, when I first went to see the machine and saw the case, I wasn't all that excited. But you know, you can't judge a machine by its case! It has done a terrific job protecting the baby inside.

 The liner inside is in tact.

 A few more photos.  Just because.

I'm calling her Esther.  I made Esther an extension table cover so that the screw knob on the faceplate wouldn't scratch the table.  Great idea. I got that idea from Michelle of Life With Lou via Tammy's Craft Emporium.  (I've already shown this photo in my previous post, but, hey, you don't mind, do you?!)

By the way, it's interesting that I do want to name all my sewing machines, but I don't usually come up with a name until I start writing about her. My Featherweight was nameless until today.

I think just about everyone who collects vintage sewing machines eventually ends up with at least one Singer Featherweight.  I now have one, so I'm not looking for any more Featherweight. (well, unless it's the mint green one.... maybe..... definitely.... for sure) However, there is one courting with me right now. I shall see if it ends up with me.

If you are looking for Featherweight manuals and attachment list, here is a link to the ISMAC site with attachment list and free manual download. Download manuals are also free at the Singer's site. You can also buy printed booklet manuals there. By the way, not only you can date your machines at Singer's site with the serial number, if you go to My Singer Story, scroll down to the bottom and put in your pre-1970 Singer sewing machine serial number, you'll instantaneously receive a little 'birth certificate' of your sewing machine that you can print.  It's kind of cute. 

For those who have a Featherweight or two (or three), do you actually use your Featherweight, or does it sit in the case?  When and for what do you use it? Do you have and use a zigzagger with your Featherweight? (I want a zigzagger!)

Improv Bags, Here They Come!

I had these bagful of cut-up strips of soft canvas-like cotton fabrics originally intended for kids' project that my friend, Suzette, left me. She simply ran out of time to utilize the craft supplies for youth group at church before she moved to Egypt. The supplies sat in my garage for good five years, not knowing what to do with them. I finally took them to the church summer camp this year along with three of my sewing machines, hoping that some inspiration will hit me.
 
OMG, it did! I stared at the strips of soft canvas for a while. Then, BINGO!  I also had a box of random fabrics loaded up in my car, just in case. I quickly ran to my car to drag the fabrics out, and began sewing. Here is my first one. The accent fabric was also a nice thick durable woven cotton, very suitable for market bags. Formerly a curtain!

That was totally fun. Totally an improv sewing. I took no measurements, just picked the fabric up (the soft canvas was already cut into these strips of mostly same but varied length so I just needed to pick the ones with similar length), cut the accent fabric, not even pinned them as the fabrics didn't slip at all, and just sewed away!

The bag looked rather plain, so I added a heart applique. The straps were made with the same soft canvas material of the same size strip. One strip cut in half and patched up to make it longer, produced one strap.

This second one I made had shinny, glitter accent, and it was very popular. All these bags ended up being sold for a fundraiser, and I received requests to make more with this purple/lavender shinny glitter accent fabric - a former pillow case/sham.

This one was with rainbow butterfly accent fabric. Very sunny. I decided to sew on a few different colors of cotton fabric pieces onto the strap.

 Oh, I just love this daisy print. I picked up about a yard of it, totally unused new condition, at a recycle shop a while back. After sewing into the bag here, I loved it so much that I actually looked up the source of this fabric. I found it. It's called Daisy Path. I liked it so much that I ended up making two more bags with this fabric, with only about 1" x 3" of the fabric left! I may get more now that I know where I can get it.

More of the purple lavender shinny pillow case/sham accent bags.

I recently sew, I mean, saw this book at a bookstore and immediately picked it up.  Improv Sewing. Oh, YES! Somehow my mind was trapped in the idea that I must use a pattern, I must follow directions, or at least I must take measurements in all things at all times.  The book freed me up. "Oh, heck. It's just a market bag and these are leftover fabric pieces which were otherwise going to be thrown out. Nothing to lose." FREEDOM! Formerly a certifiable control freak (I've come a long way, I now consider myself a recovering and expanding control freak) of a creative type, now on the loose! Watch out! The ladies who wrote the book has a blog. They even made a book trailer! I love it.

Anyway, It's a beautiful book. I haven't made anything that's in the book yet. But I am inspired. That was the whole purpose of the book anyway, right?  For now, I'm possessed with bag making and I'm loving it. I pick the base fabric for the bag, but don't really have a plan for the accent fabric or the size or the design, and just make it up as I go. So freeing and different from the traditional garment construction. I still love and do garment construction the old fashion way, but for now loving making bags.

By the way, the three sewing machines I took with me to the camp and sewed every single day, all day long, (so much so that I didn't do anything else! Really!) were these three cuties. I got to know them, especially two very well. 6 hours of non-stop sewing daily would do that.

Here is my Singer Genie. She's so sunny and cute.

My red "S" Singer Featherweight. I didn't sew much with her since she is straight stitch only. But I made her an extension table cover with a leftover jean leg from hemming, inspired by Tammy's blog. Well, I just re-read it and the idea apparently originally came from Michelle of Life With Lou, who by the way was the FIRST official visitor to my blog leaving a comment! Such an honor!

 I also brought my trusty Kenmore Ultrastitch machine. Oh, nuts. I don't even have a photo of him! (For me, I think it's a he) Well, another post, maybe entirely dedicated to him as he is special.

I got distracted a little. Back to improv bags and improv sewing.  Do you ever sew and make something without having an exact plan? What do you make? How is the result? What do you think this way of sewing does to your mind, heart, soul, your brain, etc?