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Featherweight 222K |
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SINGER SEWING MACHINES
Featherweight 222K
Made only at Singers Kilbowie plant the Singer 222 Featherweight was introduced in 1953 and should have been the worthy successor to the Featherweight 221 but so successful was the earlier machine that production continued in parallel.
The 222K is a Free Arm machine the casing detaches revealing the arm thus making it a truly versatile machine. The main castings are aluminium and with all it's paraphernalia it weighs about 20.5 lbs.
In total 108,900 Singer 222K Featherweights were made before production ceased in 1961, the majority had the standard Singer badge with a black patterned border on the pillar.
In September 1959 this badge was replaced by the famous Singer 'Red S' and the last 27,000 machines produced sported this badge on the front of the pillar. For some reason these Red "S" machines as they are known have become particularly popular although mechanically they are exactly the same as the earlier 222K version!
MANUAL: Follow this link to a FREE copy of the
c1955 Singer 222K Manual.
DATING: The date of commissioning for Singer sewing machines is available online go to Singer Machine Serial Numbers.
It is important to note the date of commissioning is NOT the actual date of production which would have been some weeks or even months later.
Featherweight 222K Serial No. EP543209.
This machine was made in Kilbowie in the Autumn of 1959 and is from the first batch of 2,500 machines commissioned on 22nd September which had the Red S badge.
It was purchased by a sewing teacher in Edinburgh and remained in the same family until it came into our possession.
It is a beautiful example with the "Red S" badge at the base of the pillar beneath which is the 222K plate. The faceplate is striated.
The motor sits neatly in a recess behind the pillar. It should be noted that the Featherweight machines sold in Great Britain used motors rated 230-250V which is NOT suitable for use in the USA unless a voltage convertor is used.
Shown below is the original Singer Bakerlite single button foot controller and Singer connector block (which fits into the end of the machine) with associated wires.
When the machine was originally sold it was fitted with an adaptor to fit into a standard British light fitting this has been replaced at some time with a standard 3 pin plug for safety reasons but the previous owner sensibly retained the original fitting. (shown bottom left of the photo).
I use a plastic plug cover that came with a domestic appliance to help stop the three pin plug damaging the machine.
Singer Featherweights were designed to be portable and as such a stylish case was provided. The case held the machine in the bottom with a small red lift out tray for some accessories on the left hand side. There was also a soft red pouch to hold the attachments.
The extension table of the machine was hinged so it could be folded up to fit in the case and as there is no stop care has to be taken to avoid it hitting the faceplate thumb screw.
The foot controller sits in a special bracket in the lid. To remove it slide it to the right. The plug and wiring harness tuck away in the case.
This machine came complete with case, foot controller, original tray, attachments and pouch, bobbins, manual and embroidery hoop.
The case could be locked and two keys were provided which have No.4 Made in England on one side and Pat.No 481600 on the other. The keys are actually interchangable with the 221K although the size of the lettering differs.
The 222K is a "free arm" machine with the table casing detaching when the thumb screw (just in front of the 222K plate) is released reveal the arm.
