Kenmore isn't made anymore. If you can find one of the newest ones they are super! They have every bell and whistle Several guild members bought the newest computerized Kenmores last year and these machines sew fantastic. Sears here had a big clearance sale on the high end Kenmores for under $500. Best buy of the decade. I have a high end Singer Quantum and it sews great. I have a Bernina and a high end Brother, a FW, a 301 and two Janomes so I know first hand the comparisons between all of them. If I had to buy a new machine today I'd find the last high end model Kenmore.

http://www.kenmore.com/kenmore-compu...p-02019233000P

I have 3 Singers, one ca 1930, a 301 and the newest from the 1980s and Mom's Kenmore. I'm skeert of them new-fangled 'uns.

Those are very nice machines and the 148 too

My Singer is 50 years old and BLUE!! It's heavy but a work horse! I keep it serviced and I love it. It's METAL, not PLASTIC!!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by JustAbitCrazyhttp://www.quiltingboard.com/images/...post-right.pngIf you don't want to spend alot of money, you can buy a used Kenmore on Craigslist for $25-35, if you watch for one. The Kenmores in the 158. series are classic and real workhorses, (I have several of them!) all metal and usually have 10-12 stitches (including zig zag stitches). Depending on what he wants to sew, they may fit the bill very well for you. Good luck!

<!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->Those are very nice machines and the 148 too


I found a 158 kenmore on craigslist with a cabinet for $75. One owner in great shape just needed new belt. The older ones sew great and are real work horses. Find a used one and save your money for your longarm.

I used to have the Kenmore 19233 and the only reason I sold it was because I got a new machine. The problem I had with the Kenmore, and honestly not many folks will have this issue, but I was making a rag quilt, and I needed to sew thru 6 layers of flannel, and I could not get the machine to do it. But everything else I used it for, it was wonderful. You can still find them but they are getting harder and harder to find. Here is a link to Amazon, they still have a few left.

http://www.amazon.com/Kenmore-19233-.../dp/B0073HJWM0

i think it's important to figure out how you use the machine. Like someone said above - i don't like the computerized ones because if they break, they're expensive to fix!!

I have vintage Singer and absolutely love it!!! It just straight stitches and zig-zags, but that's mostly what i need it for. I do wish i had a machine w/ a larger throat area - the new ones are so teeny tiny!!! And to get the ones w/ a larger areas, you have to pay an arm & a leg for.

But - my Singer is definitely a work horse and i have no intention of getting rid of it!

I have been using the Kenmore for a number of years and have never had any problems. I purchased the model #19233 about two years ago and absolutely love it.

My Mother used the White 60 plus years ago...and I have heard that the Kenmores are a spin-off..not sure about it though.

I love my Brother machines. Lots of stitches, even monograms.. Less than $200., from Walmart., 25 year warranty. Have 3... The oldest is 8 years or a little more, still has all its electronic functions...Also have two 301's..A 15-91, a Singer Replicate Hand Crank and a Singer 15 Treadle in Parlor Cabinet. Not sure I would want a real pricey machine at my age... No one in this house even considers sewing. Also have the Macy's machine which is my Aviatar., sews like a dream. It's the Brother Machines I love. Go to Walmart, get a machine, try it out, if you don't like it., return it! I purchased my first Brother from Ken's Sewing Center., he has great prices!

It seems as though one has to go online to find what they are looking for...in all fields. I love my Kenmore as stated in my previous post...but have to go online to order all parts, even the needles....which I do like to get the Kenmore ones.
Even though...I will stick with my Kenmore machine.....