Step-by-Step Photographic Instructions for How To Thread a Singer

Step-by-Step Photographic Instructions for
How To Thread a Singer Featherweight 221 or 222
First, let’s start with the Bobbin and Bobbin Case:
Hold the bobbin between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, with the thread on
top drawing from right to left, as show in Fig. 1.
Figure 1
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With the left hand holding the bobbin case as shown in Fig. 1, the slot in the edge being at the
top, place the bobbin into the bobbin case as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Then pull the thread into the slot as shown in Fig. 2, and back under the tension spring into the
slot at the end of the tension spring as shown in Fig. 3.
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Turn the balance wheel over toward
you until the thread take-up lever (6) is
raised to its highest position. Place the
spool of thread on the spool pin at the
top of the machine; pass the thread
through the thread guide (1) at the left,
down, under and from the right to the
left between the tension discs (2). Hold
the spool tightly with the right hand and
with the left hand pull the thread up
under the thread take-up spring (4) until
it enters the retaining fork (3), then pass
the thread up and back of the wire
thread guide (5) and from the right to
the left through the hole (6) in the end
of the thread take-up lever, down into
the eyelet (7), at the side of the face
plate, into the lower wire thread guide
(8), into the guide (9) in the needle
clamp, then from right to left through
the eye of the needle (10). Draw about
two inches of thread through the eye of
the needle with which to commence
sewing.
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To Replace the Bobbin Case
After threading, take the bobbin case by the latch, holding it between the thumb and forefinger of
the left hand.
Fig. 11. Bobbin Case Threaded and Replaced
Place the bobbin case on the center stud (A, Fig. 11) of the bobbin case base with the thread
drawing from the top of the bobbin case.
Release the latch and press the bobbin case back until the latch catches the groove near the end
of the stud. Allow about three inches of thread to hang free from the bobbin case and turn down
the bed extension.
CAUTION -- In case the throat plate is removed for cleaning the stitch-forming mechanism, etc.,
make certain, when replacing the throat plate, that the position finger (A2, Fig. 11) of the bobbin
case base enters the notch (B2, Fig. 11) of the position plate attached to the underside of the
throat plate.
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To Set the Needle
Turn the balance wheel over toward you until the needle bar is at its highest position, and loosen
the thumb screw (A Fig. 12) in the needle clamp.
Fig. 12. Positioning of Needle in Needle Clamp
Have the flat side of the shank of the needle toward the left as shown above and put the needle
up into the clamp as far as it will go. Then tighten the thumb screw.
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Pull the thread from the spool and catch it on the thread guide then take it straight
down into the tension unit being sure to catch it between the tension discs.
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Going clockwise, wind it around the tension unit until you get to the take-up
spring.
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Resting the thread on your left index finger, pulling it taut, lift it up and over the
spring wire to catch it on the retaining fork.
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Hook the thread around the back of the wire thread guide and go up to the hole of
the thread take-up. Thread it from the right to the left
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Pass the thread down through the eyelet on the side of the face plate into the lower
wire thread guide and then into the guide in the needle clamp. See the following
illustrations.
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When inserting a needle, make sure the needle’s FLAT SIDE is facing the
left. Thread the needle ALWAYS from the right to the left on a Singer
Featherweight 221, 222 and 301.
After winding the bobbin, it will need to be place in a position so that the thread is
going counter-clockwise. Place it in the bobbin case this way.
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Hook the thread into the slot and back under the tension spring into the slot at the
end of the tension spring.
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Be sure to leave enough thread hanging from the bobbin case so that the needle
thread will catch it.
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Holding the thread in the left hand, turn the hand wheel towards you with your
right hand - lowering the needle and thread, then raising it back up again. You
should be able to somewhat feel it catch the bobbin thread below. Pull the thread
with your left hand which will bring up the bobbin thread in a loop.
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Pull the bobbin thread out and let both threads go to the back of the presser foot as
shown below.
You are now ready to sew!
Enjoy Sewing on your
Singer Featherweight 221 or 222K!
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