Caroline S

First, how about posting pictures of your machines on the Vintage Machine part of the QB. There is also a Vintage Machine thread on Yahoo but I think the people on the QB are much more helpful.

craftiladi

Yep another Kenmore lover here. I traded my Singer for a used Kenmore to my then sister inlaw 30 some years ago & still have it, plus another older kenmore I p/u at a thrift store for 15.00. Wouldn't trade either one of them for nothing. They are my work horses.

patdesign

Nice to know the Janome Kenmore link. I teach sewing and sometimes the machines that students bring are the old Kenmores, and they are usually very dependable. Now I know why.

SittingPretty

Had to go and check what model Kenmore I have. It's a 1914 (or 19141 on the plate). That thing sure is heavy, and I had it on the floor of my closet in a case. I was thinking of perhaps giving it away, but now I think I'll keep it. I have sewn a lot on it in the past. It was pretty pricey when I bought it in 1976. Not a whole lot less than the Babylock I bought a couple of years ago! I made my first 2 quilts on the Kenmore, and it did very well.

IAmCatOwned

I'm so envious of you Kenmore owners who have had your machine forever. I got my Kenmore in 1976. It worked great for many years with light use until someone borrowed it without my authorization, not long after I started quilting. I think I had it back for repair at least 5 times for the tension after that before giving up and trashing the thing. <sigh> Anyway, I'm going to get a back-up class machine and will likely go with a Janome of some kind, so it's good to know this about Kenmore. I had thought about getting an Activa as a backup, but even used, they are over $500 and I'm thinking I want a mechanical as a backup rather than another computerized machine. I can service those machines as can my sister.</sigh>

fabric_lover

I have my Mom's Kenmore from 1929 with the original sales receipt. She did a lot of mending on it and I , growing up used it a lot also. Was down for repairs a few yrs because of tension spring problems and couldn't find a repairman. Moved and found a WONDERFUL repairman who , unfortunately, got it going but stated if spring goes there's no replacement. There MUST be a replacement spring somewhere around as I don't want stop sewing on that machine. It's a console in original cabinet, sews like a singer-back and forth and has a light--very basic but predictable. Don't know where to find a model # or if they even had them back that old. It's a nice solid metal machine. Love that machine.

jlm5419

I still have the Kenmore 158.13571 that I bought new some 35 years ago. I used that machine for everything; clothes, curtains, drapes, sofa cover, you name it. If I could get it under the presser foot, the Kenmore would sew any fabric. It still works great. My DIL would like to have a machine in a table, so I have offered it to her and my DS. It's just waiting until we can figure out a way to get it to her.

urgodschild2

this has been very interesting. I always had Kenmore until I could afford my Berninas. I gave my kenmore to my daughter in Australia. It is a work horse. It basically does forward, backwards, zigzag and a few fancy stitches. Who could ask for more????? When I go to visit I am going to get it out, dust it off.....check how it works...get it serviced and teach my 7 year old granddaughter how to use it. Yeah I know the plugs don't work in Australia but we have a converter for that. LOL.

MrsH2008

I have a Kenmore my husband bought about 7 years ago (before he was my husband) and it is my go-to machine. I love it. I have a Singer but I don't use it really. I just bought a Finness off of Craigslist about 3 months ago. Very simple but it purrs. It is so quiet I can sew when everyone is asleep and no one even knows I'm up. My mom has has her Kenmore for over 30 years and it still works as good as new.

babyboomerquilter

I have a Kenmore that is around 30 years old. Made of heavy metal and is a workhorse. I also have 1 Brother & 2 Singers. My Singers fortunately has given me not any problems either. I guess its the luck of the draw.