222k and 221k what is the difference?

[toileandtrouble]

Looking on ebay,  the 222s seem to command a higher price.  What is the reason for this?  Are they any better, and if so, in what way?

[Efemera]

The 222 is a free arm machine..it only comes in black. The 221 comes in black and white.

[BrendaP]

221 is straight stitch only, 222 does basic zig-zag and has the free arm.

[toileandtrouble]

Thank you both!

[Manuela]

@BrendaP, the 222k is a straight stitcher. The differences ate the you can lower the feed dogs in the 222K and, as already said, it has he free arm.
Being able to lower the feed dogs means, that you don’t need cover plates when using buttonholer or zig-zag/monogram attachments or the embroidery foot.

[BrendaP]

OH! OK, I stand corrected.

[StitchinTime]

Far fewer 222 models were made than 221 models which also accounts for the price difference. The 222s were only made in the Kilbowie factory in Scotland and were not sold in America.

I’ve read that ~100,000 222s were made out a total of about 3 million featherweights, but I’ve no idea how accurate those figures are.

[Roger]

The 222k is also possibly the thinnest freearm ever made which makes it popular for heritage sewing and making for babies and dolls.

[LeilaMay]

The 222 is a free arm machine..it only comes in black. The 221 comes in black and white.

The black and white versions of 221 are actually different mechanically, if you're into that kind of thing.
221s also come in the "oh so hard to find in the UK" tan color!

https://singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/tan-featherweight-221j-or-221k

I would highly recommend the Featherweight Shop website schoolhouse section for all sorts of helpful info about the Featherweight machines.
Leila