OldSewinGear
  • Blog
    • Blog Index
    • Site Map
  • Singer
    • Slant Needle >
      • 301
      • 401 / 403 / 404
      • 500 / 503
      • 601 / 603 /604
    • Class 15 Machines
    • Class 66 Machines
    • Featherweight
    • Swing Needle
    • Toy Machines
    • Accessories >
      • Buttonholer
      • Discs & Cams
  • Others
    • Pfaff
    • Elna
    • Necchi
    • Japan Class 15
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Links
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Shipping & Packaging
  • Contact
    • About Us

Featherweights and 301's

8/11/2015

4 Comments

 
My personal 221 Featherweight finally has a 301 Slant Needle "Big Sister!"

H
owever, by the dates their relationship might be better described as Mother and Daughter.  

​
How so?
Picture
Singer 301 Slant Needle & 221 Featherweight
Let's take a closer look at the Featherweight.  This particular machine came to me from one of my mother's closest friends.  She can't sew anymore due to her eyesight, but she knew how much we loved these old machines so she gifted it to us.  It's a lovely little thing and it turns out it's one of the earliest 221 Featherweights produced!  
Picture
1933-1934 Singer 221 Featherweight
How do we know?  The serial number stamped in the bottom of the machine is AD542703.  According to Singer's records, the first batch of 10,000 serial numbers for model 221 was allocated on October 3, 1933, starting with #AD541546 and ending with #AD551545.  The next batch of Featherweight serial numbers were issued on September 10, 1934, which solidly dates this machine to 1933-1934, making it the 1157th Featherweight produced.  


These early Featherweights had the bobbin-winder tension mounted on the front of the machine below the sewing platform.  The tensioner was moved to the sewing platform surface within a couple of years to allow the machine to be used in a card table or cabinet. 

Featherweights are prized for their size, light weight portability and surprising power.  Not to mention, they're pretty dang cute!  

18 years after the introduction of the 221 Featherweight, Singer hit another home run with the launch of the 301 Slant Needle.  While mechanically very different, the 301 shares a number of features with the 221 which have earned it the nicknames "Featherweight Big Sister" and "Full-Size Featherweight."  

Picture
Singer 301 Serial Number NA039596
Like the 221, the 301 is made of light weight aluminum with a flip-up extension table for access to the bobbin compartment.  Both machines use the same bobbin case  (Simanco Part Number 45750) and bobbins.  The 301 has a built-in carry handle for portability.  

However, the two machines are vastly different in size and power and mechanical design.  The 301's full size is combined with a direct-drive motor and steel gears, while the 221 is half-size with a belt drive.  Both machines pack a punch when it comes to tough projects.  And of course the 301 is a slant needle while the 221 is a vertical low-shank machine.  
  
So while the 301 is a "big sister" in size, this particular machine is about 19 years junior in age.  Serial Number NA039596 was allocated in 1951, but according to Singer301.com's excellent charts, this machine dates to 1952.


Singer was seeking a more modern image, however, so it wasn't long before the classic black and gold gave way to new colors.  Later 301's were produced in mocha and a two-tone cream and tan.  (Check out the Singer Machine Gallery for photos of all three colors.) 

Hope you've enjoyed learning a little more about these fabulous machines.  

Happy Sewing!
Barbara 

OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most out of your old sewing gear.  


For more about the 301, see the articles "Got Steel? Singer 301 - the Featherweight'sBig Sister" and "Rock-a-Bye Baby: Singer 301 Cabinet Cradle". 
4 Comments
Sue link
8/13/2015 07:05:35 am

Thanks for sharing some of the details on these old machines! You see these once in awhile on the used market, but it's hard to determine if they are working or worth refurbishing.

Reply
OldSewinGear
8/15/2015 08:04:21 am

Thank you for commenting! We love sharing what we've learned about these old machines. As far as these two models go, it's pretty rare to find one that's beyond saving.
Barbara

Reply
revathi link
4/22/2016 02:39:12 am

Thanks for sharing this article,its really interesting to know about the old sewing machine ,keep updating more threads https://www.demoport.in/home-products-services/embroidery-sewing-machines

Reply
David
10/2/2018 11:27:53 pm

Hi, I have a tan and natural wood card table for a Singer 301 long-bed. It can hold a short-bed, and just cut a piece of plywood to fill the gap in the difference in length. It needs a home, as I have no 301. My Mom has one and that's how I knew what it was when I saw it. Her's is a short-bed model. I can leave a number to text to if that's OK?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    News, Reviews, 
    & How-To's

    See "Article Index" for list of past articles by title. 

    See "Frequently Asked Questions" for quick answers to common questions.  

    Check out "Cheat Sheets" to download printable reference sheets.

    See "Resources" for links to useful websites and forums. 

    Contact Us

    Questions, comments
    ​or suggestions? 
    Contact us!  

    Categories

    All
    15-125
    15 91
    192 Spartan
    201
    221 Featherweight
    301
    328
    401
    403
    411
    500
    503
    600
    603
    626
    99
    Adjustment/repair
    Appraisal & Pricing
    Attachments
    Bobbin
    Centennial
    Checklist
    Dating
    Greist
    Historical Info
    How To
    Japanese
    Miscellaneous
    Model Comparisons
    Reviews
    Shipping
    Singer
    Slant Needle
    Tips & Tricks
    Toyota
    Toys
    Treadle
    Video


    Archives

    June 2020
    April 2020
    August 2019
    March 2018
    October 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012


    About Us

    OldSewinGear is the collaborative effort of retired repairman Gary and daughter Barbara.  We love old sewing gear and enjoy sharing what we've learned in our vintage sewing machine adventures.  We are located in Roseburg, Oregon. 


    RSS Feed

© 2019 OldSewinGear
  • Blog
    • Blog Index
    • Site Map
  • Singer
    • Slant Needle >
      • 301
      • 401 / 403 / 404
      • 500 / 503
      • 601 / 603 /604
    • Class 15 Machines
    • Class 66 Machines
    • Featherweight
    • Swing Needle
    • Toy Machines
    • Accessories >
      • Buttonholer
      • Discs & Cams
  • Others
    • Pfaff
    • Elna
    • Necchi
    • Japan Class 15
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Links
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Shipping & Packaging
  • Contact
    • About Us