Does any body buy Singer or Kenmore Sewing Machines anymore?
 

DH's sewing machine bit the dust so I let him use mine. Well, he has become attached to it so I get to buy a new one for me. I'm not sure about what brand to buy but since I'm saving for the longarm, I don't want to blow my wad on one of the better name brands. Does anyone ever purchase a Kenmore or a Singer anymore?

I have a Singer, model 7466 (I think), for the last 5, or so years, and it works fine, has more stitch choices than I'll ever need or use, and has pieced more quilts than I can remember. Hasn't given me any problems (knock on wood), and I service it at home. If I ever find a hidden treasure I'd probably want something a little more pricey, but the Singer does what it's designed to do, for a lot less $$$$.

What kind of sewing do you do?

I bought a Kemore a few yrs ago from Sears. It is a great machine. I now have a Ruby but I do most of my piecing on the Kenmore and take it to any class where I don't need to have my big embroidery machine. It was a good purchase and the machine is made by Janome. I even did some cross hatch quilting on it; did a great job. Good luck on search and saving up for your long arm.

Kenmore machines are made by Janome, and if I had a choice I would by Kenmore but I already have a Janome.

If you are just wanting a very basic machine, either of the inexpensive machines that they have a Walmart will work just fine. At one point a number of years agoI was having problems with any machine I got not lasting very long so I decided that if it was only going to last a short time, then I might as well just get a cheap one. And lo and behold, it lasted longer than the more expensive ones I had gotten previously (never had a really expensive one, but not the super cheap one before).
I've been very happy with the Brother I got on sale for $69 or $79 several years ago. Don't remember the exact model # and I have now passed it on to a friend who did not have a machine. I had it for 3 or 4 years and used it all the time till I got my featherweight, which I'm not letting go! Now that is the perfect straight stitch machine, but not necessarily easy to find one that is cheap that doesn't need any work done on it. If I get another machine now it will be one that has embroidery so I can make labels (maybe).

I have a friend in MO that buys only Kenmore's. She just recently bought a new Kenmore machine and, like her old one, it has LOTS of stitches. She sews constantly and she says they are a work-horse. Makes sense to me...why spend extra $$$ for a Janome when they're the same as a Kenmore :)

I have a Singer Futura-200 embroidery and sewing machine, also a Singer Confidence Quilter's machine and several vintage Singers. What can I say? I love them all! My Futie was about $600.00, the Confidence about $300...both well worth it to me. I also have a Janome 6600P and like it too. I have never owned a Kenmore, and I don't know why unless the opportunity never presented itself.

I sew on an old Kenmore that was my mom's, with a vintage Singer as a backup. If I needed to replace it I would get another vintage machine. Don't want anything computerized.

All of my machines were Kenmores up until my recent purchase of a Janome. I only upgraded for the larger arm space. I'd buy another Kenmore in a heartbeat if it had all of the features I needed.

I'd buy a new Kenmore, but I wouldn't buy a new Singer. But, vintage Singers are wonderful.

If 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!

I bought the singer 160th anniversary machine for my DIL and she LOVES it. I had also given her my Kenmore. She much prefers the Singer. Go with the most you can afford. I love my Bernina's.

As "Justabitcrazy" says, the older Kenmores are real workhorses. I've used mine since 1973 for lots of garment sewing and numerous quilts. When I decided to get a lighter machine to take to classes, I bought one of the newer lightweight Kenmore's made by Janome so that all of my attachments would be interchangeable. Love them both!

check out ebay lots of machine in many different prices

I have the Singer Quilter's Confidence-paid around 300$ for it and work it hard almost daily.

If all you really need is a straight stitch machine consider vintage or the New ( not Vintage ) Viking that is built to do only straight stitch ( & reverse) larger arm then most and more than twice the speed.
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/3537.htm

I bought my 2nd Kenmore in 1999 and have used it almost daily since then. Repairs? None so far. I was raised using a Kenmore and have been very pleased with them. There's more bells and whistles on this one than I'll ever use. Don't think I'd be happy with anything computerized.

Let us know what you end up getting.

I went to Sear's this afternoon and would you believe that they did not have one Kenmore in the place? They had about three Singers, about 3 Brothers. But no Kenmore. And, I didn't see a one that was in a cabinet. I also went to a Janome dealer and looked at them.Then I went to Walmart and looked at the Brothers. They had more Singers at Walmart than the Singer place did. I have yet to find a Kenmore. My mama has one. I remember when we got it. It was in a cabinet and had Cams that fit in the top of it for the different stitches. Wow, how things have e-volved.

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.....

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to Sears yesterday and did not find one Kenmore machine. All they had were some Brothers and Singers and they were the lower end ones. I'm not a bells and whistle kind of gal so I guess one of them will suit my purpose. But, I can get one of those at Walmart a lot cheaper. I do have the cheapest model of Brother machines that they make and it has been a good one. Thats the one my DH took control of. I kinda want one that the feeddogs lower on so I can try FMQ! Thanks for all the good info!! By the way, I did learn that Singer went bankrupt and Janome bought them out. I just found a 15-91 at a yard sale. Has a bit of rust on the bobbin case but otherwise is beautiful. I'm trying to get her up and running. Had to download the manual to see how to thread her properly. Got to get her oiled and greased now.

I have an old Kenmore from my mom, it's at least 45 yrs old. Only machine I've ever had, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. That thing is a true workhorse! Even went through a flood, stayed under water for 3 days, and still sews like a dream!

I love Kenmores and Singers but I think the oldest one I have is from the early 50's. I really enjoy them. :thumbup:

Why don't you buy one of the vintage machines... You will fall in love with it.. or buy one from the 1970's.. I have the older machines that I use exclusively, and the one from 1970 for zig zag applique.. it will keep your cost down, and you can fix things yourself.. therefore you can continue saving foryour long arm.. If you don't like it, you can pass it to DH, and he will fall in love with it..

The newer Singer sewing machines are not what they used to be. I have just gotten rid of all my Singers at a flea
market. The Sewing Sewing Center where I took them to get them serviced will not even carry them to sell any
longer. I can't speak to Kenmores. I would caution you, however, not to buy a sewing machine at Walmart or
any other big chain store. The machines that are sold to the big chain stores are not the same as the machines
that are sold at dealers. The machines in the big chain stores are inferior, which is why they are sold more cheaply
than at a dealer. I would suggest you purchase through a dealer either a Brother or a Janome. I have two Brothers and one Janome. I have to say, contrary to the opinion of most sewers, that I prefer the Brothers, but to each his or her own. That's just me. Have fun shopping for a machine.

I understand the new Kenmores are not made by Janome. Do your research and be careful!

Singer or Kenmore
 

I just purchased a Brother CS6000i on Amazon. It is a $449 machine for $159.97. I have used it for the last three months with pretty much constant sewing and it works great. Prior to this I had a Kenmore for 25 years when it bit the dust and then bought another Kenmore that lasted 29 years and actually is still working. I gave it to my daughter in law and got the Brother since it was a great deal and it had more features than I had in the past. I didn't know Kenmore was made by Janome or I would have looked there again!

I have 2 Kenmores one about 20 years old and the other only a couple years old they are both work horses I piece quilts and send them for a long arm quilter to finish and these two machines never stall over multiple seam crossings. I also have a Brother and have used a Singer for years I find them all so reliable have never gone to one of the newer ones my Daughter has a Bernina that she loves but I am so happy with the use of these machines haven't even thought of going shopping for one. So give them a try I bet you are not unhappy either.

All of my machines are Brothers. I have a regular sewing machine with some decorative stitches CS8072, and PS1500 which is for quilting and a 1034 Serger too. In the past I have owned Singer and Kenmore and would never buy another one. My grandfather worked for Singer many many moons ago and that's when they were quality machines. I can not say the same for them now. As far as Kenmore, I wouldn't buy anything with the Kenmore name attached to it, including home appliances. They are just not built to last. The last Kenmore machine I owned had a never ending tension problem. No matter what the settings, thread, material or sewer behind the machine, it didn't sew properly.