irishrose

I realize it may be may or may not be barely old enough to be vintage, but is anyone familiar with a Kenmore 385.1464180? A plastic body, but it has to be metal inside. I couldn't lift it at the Salvation Army. There was some color on the panel for the stitches, but it's not a computerized machine. Late 70s maybe??? Is it worth picking up? I shy away from Kenmore because of the tension problems of my early 60s model, but maybe this one is different.

cabbagepatchkid

I wasn't bothering with Kenmore's either until I got my first one....now I'm hooked on them, too...lol ! The first one was an ugly, avocado green Kenmore that I got on CL for $10.00. When I cleaned it up, oiled it and then put her needle in correctly it ran like a charm. I even like the color now that it got washed. I don't have a manual but I know that it can do more than just zig zag because I saw a video on Youtube by NiftyThriftyGirl get all kinds of awesome stitches on the very same machine.

unicorn53

I like the older Kenmores! Don't have to mess with the tension as much as maybe some other brands. They ttend to be real work horses and very easy to maintain. :-)

LindaR

My older kenmore was bought about 77 or 78....what a work horse and she is still going and pampered but not used very much. I took her to the quilt class at school and 14/15 yearolds sewed on her without a hitch. My newer kenmore is a computerized 86 with alot of bells and whistles and she is still going strong and is my main machine. Never had a problem with either one...I have 2 brothers that I have the same luck with. those older kenmores weigh a ton and don't move real easy LOL, keep her oiled and she will be with you forever. LOL

pinkCastleDH

I wonder if I'm the only one here who wondered how your brothers came into the conversation I only have one and he's been a pain all my life.

irishrose

Linda, what is the number on the '78 Kenmore? I'm thinking this one fits in that range because it's still metal inside. I don't need the machine, but I'd like to sew on it. I have a friend whose 1972 Elna SU bit the dust and she's still in mourning. She's not getting along with the new Janome she replaced it with. I feel bad for her, but not bad enough to give up my '73 twin which was the replacement for my '61 Kenmore. For $21, the Kenmore could be a usable machine. I forgot to look to see if it's short shank so the Elna attachments would fit.

cabbagepatchkid

I think she meant "Brother's" with a capital B....lol. I love my vintage Brother SM's, too and I also love my 3 'older than me' (and could be considered vintage) brothers....hahahaha

pinkCastleDH

I agree but boy, when first read that.... I don't think of Brother sewing machines very frequently so it just didn't trigger.

sweetlummi

how funny you said this I have a kenmore old one been fighting this tension for a long time. I look in to why it was doing all this and the in side of the tension nob was broke. I called and sears still had it . Hope it work good I have a quilt I work on for my son he going to be ending his collage soon love to get it done before he dos lol.

MimiBug123

I have a model 358 and love it. It's not computerized and sews like a charm! Now I won't give up my Janome 10001 for her, but I sure do enjoy sewing some things on her. I've had her for about 6 months. Her name is Chelsea and she's never given me a minute's problems. She only has 6 or 8 decorative stitches, but I didn't buy her for that. That's what the Janome is for. She straight line quilts, but since her feed dogs don't drop, I've used my old Morse for FMQ. If you can get her cheap enough, you'll love her. She is short shank, so you should be able to use other feet on her.