1947 Singer Featherweight 221 – Serial No. AH211898
This is a wonderful example of one of the most recognizable and collectible sewing machines Singer ever produced—the Singer Featherweight Model 221.
Manufactured in 1947, this machine carries serial number AH211898. Singer production records place it within a batch of 30,000 Featherweight machines commissioned on August 19, 1947, at Singer’s Elizabethport, New Jersey factory.
The Featherweight was introduced in the 1930s and became famous for something quite revolutionary at the time: despite being a genuine full-function sewing machine, its lightweight aluminum construction made it remarkably portable. That combination of portability, beautiful engineering and dependable straight stitching is precisely why Featherweights remain so desirable today.
This particular machine retains its classic glossy black finish, gold detailing and Singer medallion. The photographs also show the distinctive compact proportions and folding extension bed that make the 221 immediately recognizable.
Unlike many vintage machines that are primarily purchased today for decoration or display, the Featherweight has developed an extraordinary following among quilters and sewists who still actively use them. Their beautifully simple mechanical construction, excellent straight stitch and portability have given these little machines a devoted following more than three-quarters of a century after they were made.
Production Details: Singer Featherweight Model 221 · Serial No. AH211898 · 1947 production · Commissioned August 19, 1947 · Elizabethport, New Jersey, USA · Part of a production batch of 30,000 machines · Lightweight aluminum body · Straight-stitch machine · Folding extension bed.
The machine shows normal evidence of its age and use, including some wear to the finish and decorative detailing, all of which can be seen in the photographs. It has not been cosmetically restored, allowing its next owner to decide whether to preserve its wonderful vintage character or undertake further cleaning and restoration.
For the collector, quilter or vintage sewing-machine enthusiast, this is much more than an old sewing machine. A 1947 Singer Featherweight is an iconic piece of sewing history—and remarkably, these little machines are still loved and used today, nearly 80 years after they were made.
