I, too, have a 1970's Kenmore, 1976 to be exact. When I bought my Babylock, I didn't think I would use my Kenmore anymore. I was wrong. My Kenmore is a heavy duty machine. I use it when I make purses and come to the part where I'm sewing multiple layers. My Babylock can handle only so many layers, and then I get a lot of "birdsnests" on the underside. Not with my Kenmore. In fact, I've "rediscovered" the cams and the monogram attachments. Fun!