British production of the 66K ran from 1907 until 1939. In the USA production continued until 1956.
The 66 first introduced the horizontally mounted rotary hook arrangement with drop in bobbins. A system which still survives in so many sewing machines from all makers today. This setup made loading the bobbin into the machine considerably easier than the earlier Singer 127 and 128K’s Vibrating Shuttle machines, or the 15K which had a fiddly bobbin holder which had to be clipped into position under the bed.
The Model 99 is a smaller version of the Model 66 and was supposed to be more portable.
It seems to have been introduced c1920 and production continued until c1950.
This machine was made as a hand crank, treadle and electric machine. The hand crank version was originally available with a bentwood case but later this was changed to what appears at first glance to be a suitcase!
The 99K was a ¾ size version of the established full size Model 66K.
It used an identical mechanism and many of the same parts
The Singer 201 is a cast-iron, fully gear driven, top loading, horizontal rotary hook machine. It uses class 66 bobbins like the 3/4 sized Singer 99s and the Singer 66 that predates it. Introduced 1935
several vintage Singers thread from right to left. These are all machines with a vertical bobbin -these include the 221, 301 and 15-91.
It is common problem for people with a new Featherweight to have trouble getting it to stitch because they don't realize the needle threads this way.
A little History on the Singer
221 Featherweight - that so many quilters enjoy using and collecting.
Almost 100 years since this workhorse was introduced! Many new owners are like new parents they want to treat this little guy so preciously - my great grandma used her Singer to sew for 18 children!
It was there to work and it did a great job. I wonder who has that machine now! The Singer Featherweight portable sewing machine is a model made by that company between 1933 and 1964. The machine (model 221), adapted from an earlier portable, weighs about 11 pounds and has been found to be an ideal machine for quilters and other sewers to take to classes or "on location." Very quiet and sturdily made with all-metal parts (mostly aluminum), the Featherweight sews only straight stitches but it sews them very well. Even the oldest machines, if they've been cared for, still sew wonderfully.
The Featherweight came in a standard black model made in the U.S. The Featherweight is a low-shank machine.
Singer 301 Slant Machine - we carry many presser feet for these machines
The 301 was just the beginning of a legendary family of Singer slant needle machines. It was followed by the 401A, 403A, 404A, 401G, 411G, 500A, 503A, 600E, 603E, & 604E, all of which used the same steel gears and direct drive motor.
Review Colleen NS *****Received my order in under 7 days in good order. Very pleased to discover your offerings, a Canadian source to boot. Passed on the link to your website to friends who recently purchased 221 machines but also shared with our quilt group. The new LED bulb is illuminating my work and I'm happily sewing in the sun. *****Record Time for Canada Post delivery from BC to NS! Kudos for great service StitchintheDitch
