BackgroundThe story
The 222K was a development of the already successful 221 and 221K (singersewinginfo). Kilbowie, Scotland began making it in July 1953. Singer sold it in the UK, Europe, Australia and some in Canada, but did not market it in the USA (singer-featherweight.com).
Its point was versatility. Lift away part of the flat bed and you have a tiny tubular arm for cuffs, sleeves and trouser legs. Drop the feed dogs and you can darn and embroider. Singer called it a “Free-Arm” or “Convertible” model, and every machine came with a special embroidery foot. Sewalot notes collectors have called it the “Queen of Singers”.
The 221 and 222K were built side by side. Batches ran from July 1953 to March 1961, with serials moving from EJ to ES (singersewinginfo). Mid-1959 brought the “Red S” badge. Production of all free-arm Featherweights ended in 1961, after about 100,000 machines (110,000 by sewalot’s count).
ReferenceSpecification
Specification plate
- Years made
- July 1953 to 1961 per singer-featherweight.com and singersewinginfo; the ISMACS model list gives 1955–1964.
- Factory
- Kilbowie (Clydebank), Scotland only.
- Bed
- Portable. The flat bed lifts off to leave a tubular free arm.
- Feed dogs
- Can be dropped with a sew/darn lever — something the 221 cannot do.
- Needle and drive
- Same as the 221K: 15x1 needle, external belt-driven motor.
- Motor voltage
- Most had 220V motors; some were fitted with 110V motors for North America.
- Production
- About 100,000 (singersewinginfo) or about 110,000 (sewalot). Sewalot adds that fewer than 1,300 were sold in the US between 1955 and 1960.
Serial numbers: Made only in Scotland, so expect a Kilbowie E-series prefix.
IdentificationHow to recognise a 222K Free-Arm
Part of the flat bed lifts off to leave a small tubular free arm. A 221 has only the fold-up left extension and a fixed bed.
A lever marked SEW and DARN lowers the feed dogs. No 221 has this.
Machines up to mid-1959 have a plain gold badge with a black patterned border. From serial EP54xxxx the “Red S” badge was used (singersewinginfo).
Every 222K serial starts EJ, EK, EL, EM, EN, EP, ER or ES (singersewinginfo). A US-style A-prefix serial means it is not a 222K.
Like other UK-made Featherweights, the 222K has a plain black painted handwheel and flat-pin motor and controller plugs (singersewinginfo).
Singersewinginfo lists the CAK7 motor for the 222K. Most were 220V; check the motor plate.
In detail222K versus 221: the differences
- Free arm. The bed section lifts away on the 222K.
- Drop feed. A sew/darn lever lowers the feed dogs on the 222K.
- Height. The 222K is a fraction taller, and the presser-bar lever area is about 1/16 inch wider.
- Origin. Every 222K was made in Scotland, so it carries a Scottish (E-series) serial.
Source: singer-featherweight.com and singersewinginfo.
In detailBadges
Two badge styles are recorded: the standard Singer badge and, later, a red “S” badge (singersewinginfo).
VersionsVersions and sub-models
| Version | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| Gold-badge 222K | July 1953 to mid-1959, with a plain gold badge and black patterned border (singersewinginfo). |
| “Red S” 222K | From serial EP54xxxx in mid-1959 to 1961; about 25,000 made (singersewinginfo). |
Parts and accessoriesBobbins, attachments and the parts it takes
Part 171071. Singer-featherweight.com says every 222K came with this unique foot, and singersewinginfo lists it as a 222K-only extra.
Part 171074, listed by singersewinginfo with the 222K. Singer-featherweight.com describes it as a frequently added extra.
The 222K came with the same set as the 221: hemmers, binder, gatherer, quilter, ruffler, underbraider, cloth guide and screwdrivers (singersewinginfo).
Class 221 bobbin (45785) and bobbin case 45751, the same as the 221 and 301 (ISMACS and Goldstar Tool).
Singersewinginfo describes the 222K case as two-tone light blue and dark turquoise. Because the 222K is a fraction taller, a 221 case may not close over it (singer-featherweight.com).
The original handbook runs to nearly 100 pages and is very hard to find, according to singer-featherweight.com.
MaintenanceLooking after it
Brush or vacuum out lint, then one drop of sewing machine oil per oil hole: monthly with daily use, yearly with occasional use. Sewalot warns over-maintenance harms sewing.
Featherweight motors have two felt-wicked ports that take motor grease. Never put sewing machine oil or petroleum jelly in the motor (singer-featherweight.com).
Black Featherweights have gears to grease at the top and bottom of the machine. Singer originally suggested greasing the motor about every six months and the gears occasionally (singer-featherweight.com).
For darning and free motion, set the lever to DARN to drop the feed dogs instead of fitting a cover plate as on a 221. Return it to SEW for normal stitching (singer-featherweight.com).
General advice from the sources listed below. If in doubt, follow your machine’s Singer manual.
Before you buyWhat to check on a used 222K Free-Arm
In-person checks
QuestionsFrequently asked questions
Why is the 222K harder to find in the US?
It was made for markets outside the US; sewalot records fewer than 1,300 sold in the US between 1955 and 1960.
Can a 222K run on US power?
Many 222Ks have 220V motors. Some were supplied with 110V motors for North America. Check the motor plate before plugging in.
When did the 222K get the Red S badge?
From mid-1959, starting around serial EP54xxxx. Earlier machines have a plain gold badge with a black border (singersewinginfo).
Will a 222K fit in a 221 case?
Often not. The 222K is a fraction taller than the 221, so a 221 case may not close properly (singer-featherweight.com).
Do 221 attachments fit the 222K?
Yes. Singersewinginfo lists the same standard attachment set for the 221, 221K and 222K. The 222K also has its own darning and embroidery foot and hoop.
What does the SEW/DARN lever do?
It lowers the feed dogs for free-motion embroidery and darning, so you don’t need to cover them as you would on a 221.
ReferencesSources
Where sources disagree we show each figure rather than choosing one. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/free-arm-featherweight-222k-and-how-it-differs
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight/models/222k
- sewalot.com/singer_featherweight_222_221_alex_askaroff_sewalot.htm
- singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/timeline-history-of-the-singer-featherweight
- singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/motor-lubricant
- singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/learning-about-motor-felt-wicks
- singer-featherweight.com/products/singer-featherweight-222k-ej6215-fully-restored-in-brandywine
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight/serial_numbers/222k
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight/models/221k
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight/featherweight_accessories
- www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/singer_machines/featherweight/buying_tips
- ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/singer_featherweight_sewing_machine.html
- www.goldstartool.com/featherweight-bobbin-case-singer-45751.htm
Last reviewed October 2026