Antique Sewing Machines

Specific machines shown on this page are available subject to prior sale. Contact Deb Travis at The Quilter’s Portable regarding your particular interest and she will make every attempt to locate a machine for you.

Model 221 Singer Featherweight

Featherweight 221-Black

The Model 221 Featherweight was introduced by The Singer Company at Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. Since then it has earned a reputation of being one of the most durable sewing machines ever made.  Built of aluminum, it weighed only 11 pounds, while most other portables of its time weighed 25 to 40 pounds. The black Model 221 is the most common of all featherweights. There are two types of face plates, straight & fancy scroll, balance wheel with or without chrome, and two types of gold detail, the early and later version.

Featherweight 221K-White

The white Model 221K was built for a short time in the 1960s in Clydebank, Scotland. It has a shorter bed extension and the motor controller is wired directly into the machine and motor.

Featherweight 221J-Tan

Built in the early 1960s in Quebec, Canada and Clydebank, Scotland, the tan Model 221J is quite rare. It has a painted face plate with no decals.

Singer Featherweight Model 222

      Singer’s Featherweight Model 222 is a free-arm version of their Model 221. This machine was built at only their Scotland facility from the 1950s through the 1960s. It is a very unusual sewing machine and is extremely rare and valuable.

Hand-Crank Sewing Machines

Hand-Crank Sewing Machines shown at right are vintage 1900-1945. They originally were electric models, but the motors were not in working order so they’ve been transformed into hand-crank units. They vary in style and model number, with Singer 66, 99 and 128 being the most popular ones available.

Toy Sewing Machines

Isaac Singer believed that if you teach a child to sew, then the adult would know how to sew.  Singer’s Model 20 (one of the tan models and the two black ones shown at left) were unique chain- stitch machines manufactured from 1900-1950. Model 40D (crank) and 50D (electric) are chainstitch machines from the 1940s-1960s era.

Warranty

Every sewing machine sold by The Quilter’s Portable is ready for you to sew. Each comes with a carrying case. They have been repaired as necessary, as well as thoroughly cleaned, oiled, lubricated and timed. Deb personally sews with each and every one for at least eight hours to ensure that customers will not have any problems and she stands behind what she sells with the following

  • Within five days of purchase – If not satisfied, receive full refund
  • Within thirty days of purchase – Customer pays for parts; no charge for labor — or trade for machine of equal value