I bought a sewing machine, lol. No, not a vintage, tho I would have loved to have found one. You all are such bad influences, lol. I was wandering thru the S.A. thrift store that carries all the really nice goodies, and saw a Kenmore sitting there, just minding its own business. It's a model 385.

It had the sales slip tucked inside the bag that contained the foot pedal, the accessories and some thread, a measuring tape. The original owner bought it in 2003, and has had it cleaned and oiled each year. She put the sales slip in because the motor has a 25 year guarantee. Nice, huh?

It needs cleaned up some now, and they said they tried it, tho the bobbin case and parts that hold it in are not "in", tho they are there and look fine, but I think it will work just fine. And it was $14.99. How could I pass that up? If nothing else, it will make an excellent doorstop, lol.

Photos later, when I get it cleaned up and put together. Does anyone have one of these? Oh, and I do have the manual, so that's always a big help.

:thumbup:

Wow, congratulations and love the price

Sounds like it could be a great find. :)

The 385 is a prefix that identifies the manufacturer. The numbers that follow the "385." contain the actual model number. (if the number is 385.550721, the model number will be 55, 550 or even 5507 - the logic behind the numbering is missing a few spokes)

Kenmores are usually very good machines and I think 385 indicates that it's Janome-made. (tho the memory cells don't fire the way they used to, so if someone else knows better, they can certainly correct that ;) )

Can't beat it for $15. :)

Yup, the 385 prefix Kenmores are Janome made. I have 5 of them. They are usually nice dependable machines. Enjoy sewing!

Pat

I got my grandmother in law one at a yard sale and it works like a charm. It was brand new and in the origional box with styrofoam and had never been opened. The elderely gentleman was selling it at a yard sale because his wife had past away 2 yrs earlier and never got a chance to use it nor open it. I got it and a bunch of fabric for my grandmother to make aprons for $20.00. Made us both happy!

Model 385.15510200 The donor lived in Naples $$$$$ Florida

Sounds like a great deal. I hope you enjoy sewing/quilting on it.

Awesome price :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I just went and looked at my old Kenmore purchased in 1983 as a wedding present. 385.1249380. It's called a "10 Stitch".

It's a work horse. Nothing fancy, but sews a good straight stitch.

Gosh ... can't remember what my husband paid for it in 1983. I remember being excited because it didn't have "cams" like my mothers Kenmore did. I thought it was so modern!!

I did not know it was made by Janome. I guess that means I have two Janome's now. This one and her big sister the 6600.

Great find! and I live close by Naples, FL myself!

:). :)

Sounds like a good deal to me. :thumbup:

Good buy--even for a door stop! Have fun!

Good luck with it. :thumbup:

Great find

I just love my thrift store finds - but you seem to have me beat!! Enjoy!

Just realized that the machine my daughters bff is using is a 385! No wonder it's so friendly for her to work with!!

It's a 385.12814490

Does anyone know where I can get a manual for it?? Preferably FREE! lol

Great find!! I wouldn't have passed that up, either!!

I have a 30 year old Kenmore and I still love it for piecing. Bet you'll have good luck with yours

Oops, answered the wrong one. :)

http://www.sewconsult.com/kenmore/38...5%20type1.html

Only $6.00 for a downloadable manual.:)

A great find. Congratulations.

FYI Kenmore had the TOP rated machines in the industry for 12 straight years...which include the year of this machine!

I found one at a yard sale for the same price and my elderly friend uses it for nothing but FMQ now...she sews on a Viking Designer 1...but loves what the Kenmore does for free motion work!

Oh, that was a good deal.....

Congrats! It's amazing what you can get at a thrift store. I went to our local thrift store a couple of days ago and walked out with over 10 yds of fabrics for about $3.00.

i have a sil & neieces that live in napels

When we came down in 93, we had planned on moving to Naples, but after looking around, decided that we liked Ft. Myers better. We lived "in town" one year, then moved out to the shores....a little more rural. So glad we didn't go the other direction to Cape Coral, which is NOT affectionately known as little Russia.

We love living out here where it is quiet, but close enough to everything. I laugh when I hear people complain that it take 30 minutes to get into Ft. Myers proper. I lived in St. Louis, Mo, and it took longer than that to get across to your favorite grocery store, doctor, etc.

I woke up with a killer headache this morning, but pills, cookies (no sugar) and lots of coffee will make it go away.

Once I clean away the fabric again (am I the only one who seems to have fabric mysteriously show up on the counters and tables every morning, lol?) I will go over my new machine and clean the dirt off, and put it back together and try it out. One thing I will never run out of, lol...is muslin. I swear that muslin follows me home like stray dogs. I have it everywhere, use it for everything. I can't bake without it, that's what started it.

I thought I had a problem with finding a place to put my fabric. Then, I realized I had an abundance of needles and pins. Then there are the buckles for the girls vests, snaps, hooks and eyes.....and the rolls of ribbons. I actually had a little solution for those smalls. Remember Beanie Babies? I have about 6 of the little suitcases. Perfect holders...see thru, etc.

But where am I going to put the sewing machines, lol? This huge house is starting to shrink.

Mine is model 17324. Kids bought it for me when I retired in 2000 and I've worn down the feeds-that pull the fabric through. It is a great machine. You will love yours.

I have owned only Kenmore machinces since I married 45 years ago. I love them. As with anything, TLC will enable this machine to last for many more years. Enjoy!

Oh I just love those finds. Congratulations

I don't have that Kenmore, but I've got one that I bought in 1958 or 1959 for $59.99, an astronomical price for a college student. It has cams for decorative stitches and is a work horse. Notice the present tense! It is my go to machine for heavy work and for decorative stitches. The price you paid was more than right! froggyintexas

Great find. Hard to pass something like that up for $14.99.

I bought some canvas/duck material at one of the yard sales, and wanted to make some stuff from it, but was really hesitant to sew it on my machine. Seems like this Kenmore will be perfect. And my dh just yesterday had said maybe I should list my other Brother on Craigslist. Lol...I said ARE YOUR CRAZY? Would you sell a back up camera? End of discussion. And now I have a third machine, lol...and not a remark out of him.

Great find, I wouldn't have passed it up! Congrats!

What a great find! Enjoy the many happy hours of sewing ahead.

Sounds like a real find. Congratulations.

Lucky little machine. So glad you rescued it!

What a great find!

Oh wow, thanks!!!!