Singer Featherweight 221 Serial Number AJ654774, June 1st, 1950, one of 40,000 released on this date
This is a Beautiful Early Series Singer Featherweight 221-1 Centennial machine dated 1950, and it's available to YOU !
In a recent article "Old Styles- They're Back", researcher at Brenau University in Gainsville, Georgia and curator of its Historic Clothing Collections say "Interest in the '50s and early '60s is fueled by a need for comfort from the past." That craving for the good old days is especially evident in fashion. They go on to say that the key factors are: A tough economy, our fondness for the familiar, and the buying power of people like you. "Any time the economy gets shaky, we get nostalgic for non shaky times". With this sweet Singer Featherweight 221 you will be able to feel the love of the family from days past. You might even remember your Mother or Grandmother sewing, and possibly recall as I can, dresses they made for me at a very young age.
PLEASE VIEW OUR MANY PHOTOS. We want to show you as much as possible about your machine. You will see many items reflected in the mirror like finish with 61 years of loving sewing care with some minor fading decals, a some light pin scratches.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT A SPECIAL PART OF AMERCIAN HISTORY with a Mirror Finish and Celtic decals.
This is a Singer Featherweight 221-1 for Quilters and COLLECTORS. Your friends in the quilting group will be amazed at the condition of your new "Baby". She wears her BADGE and age proudly.
You are bidding on a Singer 221-1 Featherweight manufactured June 1st, 1950, one of 20,000 allotted for that date (according to the Singer Website) in Elizabethport, Elizabeth, N.J. factory. Ser Nr. AJ654774
It is A Quilters & Collectors Dream Machine. Notice the beautiful intricacy of the Striated face plate. The known performance of the sweet little 221's with the design for the times.
This 221 Featherweight is a sweet machine and one I have had in my personal collection due to the age of the machine. 61 years young! The finish and decals show the results of loving projects she has made and she works beautifully. We collect Singer Machines that are in top condition within the 8-9 range in the Roxie Scale. If I collected all Singer Machines, I would need to build another 5000 Sq Ft to house them. I already have two dogs (Roxie and Lily) and do not need Sewing Machine Dogs in my collection. If you decide to collect Singer Machines, guess what, many of them may turn out to be "DOGS".
It is smooth and powerful. It stitches forward and reverse and nice straight stitches.. The tensions are perfectly adjusted, no skipping stitches, no puckering. I personally test and adjust after cleaning to produce a perfectly locked stitch.
I should mention that the foot control is in working condition and actually fit your machine. The machine can go from slow to fast and in between speed with perfect control.. No jumping speed straight to blazing fast.
This machine has not been abused, neglected, or stuffed away in some closet, attic or garage, and that makes all the difference. It was recently cleaned, oiled and lubricated, and has a new inside felt pad, it's like a Spa for Featherweights. All else was fine. So, you can bid with confidence that you will get a WORKING machine in great condition. This is a good working collectors item!
Yes the light works, yes all the original parts are there including the lovely Straited faceplate, bright throat plate and the bobbin case is original and in excellent condition.
All the chrome and paint shines and is in Vintage Top condition. The Celtic decals are bright gold and show some wear in the fabric path. There are minor pin scratches on the bed. Some nicks and pin marks due to loving use. We always want to bring these minor items to your attention so you will not be disappointed when you receive your machine
PACKAGE of Attachments, Accessories:
"The Featherweight 221 & I" Book by David McCallum
Ruffler
Adjustable ZigZag Attachment
Foot hemmer
Adjustable hemmer
Slotted binder
6 bobbins
Original Manual
Zipper/Cording Foot
Edging foot
Shirring foot
Quilting guide
22 laminated Roxie cards (5" x 7") with instructions, back and front, for all the above attachments (ONLY AVAILABLE WITH ROXIE CERTIFIED MACHINES)
CD of Singer Owners Manual
7" new stainless bent handle scissors
Hand sewing needles
"Red" tomato pin cushion
Straight pins
Seam ripper
Thimble
Tracing paper
Tracing Wheel
Marking Pencil
Needle threader
6” ruler/seam gauge
60" measuring tape
Green box buttonhole attachment with excellent case, original manual, 5 original cams, feed dog cover and attachment screw.
Greist Blind Stitch Attachment
CD of Singer Student's Manual of Machine Sewing
Better Homes and Gardens “Patchwork & Quilting” Hard Cover 1977
Fitted bed cover
** CUSTOM MADE MACHINE COVER with two (2) notions pockets, each show a rare, vintage singer graphic. ONLY AVAILABLE WITH A ROXIE APPROVED MACHINES. Plus Custom made drawstring bag for foot control and cord. Custom made notions caddy that fits in your 221 Singer Case.
The storage case is sturdy and has great interior condition. It has top accessory tray. It has working latches and original handle
IMPORTANT!
Please email me with any questions you may have before bidding, and I be happy to answer them.
I have attempted to describe this item thoroughly but may have left something out you want to know. Since this is a used item, it is sold as is, please look at the pictures and description. If I say it, you can believe it!!! I will take extra care packing this machine so that it will arrive in the great working condition that it currently is in. I individually wrap many of the items, saran wrap the machine and pad box with reinforcement Styrofoam to make sure that the machine arrives safely. Wrapping this package requires over two hours, but it gets there in excellent condition and you can take it out the box and start sewing. I PROMISE!
. If you wish to name your machine, just email us the name and we will include a Certified Adoption Certificate and luggage tag with your name, address, telephone number and the machines name, serial number, date of birth, or whatever you would like. We will also add your darlings name to the machine cover if you wish
Note: We think YOU should name YOUR machine. She will become a special member of your family.
Roxie Singer 221 Featherweight Rate Chart (See note below)
10 - A Roxie WOO WOO WOO! Just like the day it left the factory. Not a scratch or mark upon it.
9 - A Roxie EXCITED JUMP UP AND DOWN, Characterized by lots of panting! As 10 but , with the small, odd scratch or wear mark evident to very close inspection.
8 - A Roxie REAR END TAIL WAGGER, some panting! Very good used condition. All paint good; all metalwork bright. What the average antique dealer would call "perfect".
7 A Roxie 4 paws, some tail wagging, no panting! Good condition but rubbing of paint evident and/or some nickel plating worn.
6 A Roxie 3 paws, no wagging or panting . As in 7 but more wear to paint and/or some light surface rust to the bright work.
5 A Roxie 2 paws, most vintage featherweights. The average, hard-used, ill-cared-for machine looking for someone to love it.
4 A Roxie 1 paw, lay down and hide my face with it! Poor condition, chipped enamel, rusty metalwork but acceptable for a collection if a rare machine.
3 A Roxie whiner! In need of restoration but a reasonable job for a dedicated enthusiast.
2 A Roxie whimper! Total restoration needed to paintwork and bright metal. It's a brave collector that takes it on.
1 A Roxie DOG GONE ! Spare parts only and these would be in need of extensive restoration.
Note: Condition chart (in green) used with Graham Fosdykes gracious permission.
Roxie Comments in Black are copyrighted bdi 2006
NOTE: Many people ask us how we would rate this machine on the above “roxie scale”. We see many machines and would rate each machine differently than you might, with only seeing a few 221s. We ask that you view the photos and information and rate it yourself. As the saying goes: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
I have over 60 years of sewing experience using the Singer machines, over 50 of them on a Featherweight 221 and have made everything from maternity clothing to baby and children's clothing to home decor and bridesmaids dresses and dog beds. I have lots of experience assessing the condition and desirability of 221's I come across. Only the best make it into my personal collection. I make notes on things I "feel" need to be looked at. I regularly oil, lubricate and clean my machines. If needed things like feet, belt, and oil drip catcher pad get replaced. After the complete cleaning and lubrication the machine is put back together and I personally test the machine again, all the while Roxie watches every step of the way. It's like a Spa for the Featherweight.
If for any reason I feel further attention should be given the machine, it is checked over by an authorized Singer Repair Service. At the time of listing everything that has been done to the machine is noted.
Not only is the Singer Featherweight 221 "cute" but it is a long term standby for all type projects. Singer called it their "sewing room in a closet.
What happened in th 1950s when your machine was released:
Harry Truman is president and Alben W. Barkley is vice president of the United States
Failed assassination attempt on President Truman by Puerto Rican nationalists
President Harry S. Truman announces a program to develop the hydrogen bomb
United States Senator Joe McCarthy begins his crusade against suspected Communists in the United States government - era of McCarthyism begins
Congress passes laws that restrict communists and communist parties in the U.S.
Korean War begins when North Korean Communist forces invade South Korea
U.S. leads UN in Korean War
Communist Chinese forces occupy Tibet
USSR announces they have developed the atomic bomb
U.S. Defense Production Act starts wage and price controls
Accused communist spy Alger Hiss convicted of perjury
National Council of Churches formed
Business and Economy
U.S. GDP (1998 dollars):
$294.6 billion
Federal spending:
$42.56 billion
Federal debt:
$256.9 billion
Consumer Price Index:
24.1
Unemployment:
5.9%
Science and Technology
Haloid Corporation (later renamed Xerox) develops the first xerographic copy machine
The first self-service elevator is installed by Otis Elevator in Dallas
Richard Lawler performs the first successful kidney transplant at Loyola University (first organ transplant)
First oral contraceptive (the Pill) invented by Luis E. Miramontes
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth
New York's Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel opens
Sports
New York Yankees defeats the Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series (4-0)
Cleveland Browns win the NFL championship
Famous Baby Boomers Born in 1950
Bill Murray
Cybill Shepherd
David Cassidy
Gregory Harrison
Jay Leno
Karen Carpenter
Mark Spitz
Morgan Fairchild
Peggy Noonan
Peter Frampton
Stevie Wonder
Arts and Entertainment
Books:
The Cardinal, Joy Street, Across the River and into the Trees, The Wall, Star Money, The Parasites, Floodtide, Jubilee Trail, The Adventurer, The Disenchanted
Movies:
Sunset Boulevard, All About Eve, Born Yesterday, The Third Man
Songs:
The Fat Man, Please Send Me Someone To Love, Teardrops From My Eyes, Mona Lisa, Tennessee Waltz, Long Gone Lonesome Blues, Mardi Gras In New Orleans, I'm Movin' On, Rollin' Stone, Double Crossing Blues
Popular Musicians:
Fats Domino, Percy Mayfield, Ruth Brown, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Hank Williams, Professor Longhair, Hank Snow, Muddy Waters, Johnny Otis
TV Shows:
The Texaco Star Theater, Fireside Theatre, Your Show of Shows, Philco Television Playhouse, The Colgate Comedy Hour, Hopalong Cassidy debuted
Saturday morning children's programming begins
Phonevision, the first pay-per-view service, becomes available
Al Jolson, George Orwell, and George Bernard Shaw died
"Cool Jazz" gains popularity
"Guys and Dolls" premieres
TV hero Hopalong Cassidy peaks in popularity
Everyday Life
U.S. Population:
152,271,417
Life expectancy:
68.2 years
Average yearly income:
$3,319
Federal hourly minimum wage:
$.75
Cost of a new home:
$8,450
Cost of a new car:
$1,510
Cost of a first-class stamp:
$0.03
Popular Culture
Charles Schulz introduces the Peanuts comic strip
Americans buy 100,000 television sets a week
14 million television sets sold in U.S., increasing the number in service by ten-fold
Pyramid Clubs in which participants send each other money in hopes of receiving large amounts of money themselves become a fad
Silly Putty introduced to the world - actually originated in a scientific laboratory in 1943
Sugar Pops are introduced
Tennis admits first black woman, Althea Gibson
Antihistamines enter popular use for treatment of allergies and head-colds
The Pillsbury Company launches it's annual Bake-off to promote flour
Pillsbury and General Mills introduce prepared cake mixes
CBS receives an FCC license to begin broadcasting in color
Paul Harvey begins his national radio broadcast
FBI institutes the 10 Most Wanted list
Smokey the Bear gains national popularity
Minute Rice is launched
PaperMate is the first leak-proof ballpoint pen
The Open Kettle (a coffee and donut shop in Quincy, MA) is renamed Dunkin' Donuts
Diner's Club becomes the first credit card
