I am most likely going to get a Kenmore machine today at Sears, I heard they are made by Bernina, so they are very comparable. I am looking at getting this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...sewing+machine

I'd love to hear any opinions on it if anyone has one. My current machine (a Singer, bought 3 years ago) is literally taped together since I have dropped it one too many times, so anything is a step up right now. My price range is about $300, so this seems like the best choice out there for that price. I am really looking forward to the needle down feature on it mostly!!!

Cheers!
Rachel

That is very similar to my machine which I bought about 8+ years ago (?). I love, love, love it. Never had a problem (knock on wood). I almost bought a Janome (for twice what the Kenmore cost) with the exact same features. I think you will be pleased with your choice. Have fun with it.
Double check the needle down position because on mine I have to push a button every time I want the needle down, it doesn't automatically stop in the down position which is what I thought it would do.

Kenmores are not made by Bernina. Some Kenmores are made by Janome. Many people are happy with their Kenmores. But, Berninas are Swiss made and Janomes are Japanese. Kenmores are very reliable machines, and can be returned to Sears if you are unhappy with machine within 30 days. Berninas are only sold through Bernina stores/representatives. I hope that this information helps you out. If I am incorrect on this, please someone jump in and correct me. Happy new machine...always a lot of fun to get a new sewing machine!

I found out all the Kenmore brands are made by White who makes Janome and Brother and some others. I have sewn on the high end Kenmore and it was a dream to use. You can't beat the price for the features offered. I probably will buy a Kenmore my next new machine. I don't want to have thousands invested in a sewing machine I'll have to use for years and not get a new one when I wanted it.

I tell people the very least you want on a "quilting" sewing machine is needle up/needle down and this machine has that at a very reasonable price.

I don't know for sure but I would guess this machine is made by Janome. It sure looks a lot like the Janome's. I am a big advacate of Janome's and I sewed on a Kenmore for many years and loves it, too.

Barb

I have used that machine many times. A friend of mine owns it and I was teaching her to quilt using that machine. I really like it. Is simple enough and if I remember correctly, it even comes with a walking foot and a darning foot.

my actual favorite machine....I have an old 1978 that still goes and a computer machine that I love. They are so reliable. Our guild teaches 8th graders to make quilts and the old kenmores are the only ones the kids can't break, literally. LOL The new plastic ones just don't last.

I think all machines stop in the needle up position unless you push the button and then they stop in the needle down position.

If this is not true, someone tell us different.

Barb

I have a kenmore, I bought several years ago and love it. I had one I got in 1981 and used it until it was damaged after the flood we had in 97. It was moved for clean up, and someone damaged it. It was an accident, but I missed my machine. So I bought another one, and it is working great. I also have a singer for the specialty stiches, but find myself using the Kenmore more.

I learned on a Kenmore many moons ago. Never any problems with the machine.

No you are right ... it is Janome.... LOL Wouldn't that be nice if it WAS Bernina??? :) Thanks for clarifying for me!!

Rachel

I have a Janome that looks identical to this machine. I love my Janome! I paid over $400 for mine, but I bought it from a dealer. It is a great machine, very easy to use. My only problem is that I can't figure out how to FMQ with it. I think it is more operator error than machine. :D I don't think you can go wrong with this machine. The price is fantastic!!

Oh, and I love the needle down position on mine. You do have to push the button but it is not a big deal. It will stop in the down postion until you change it back to the up position.

I think all machines stop in the needle up position unless you push the button and then they stop in the needle down position.

If this is not true, someone tell us different.

Barb[/quote]

Most machines, maybe all, will stop at the needle up position every time. Some have a button (and this one has it) that when you hold it down for a couple of seconds, the needle will stop in the down position every time you stop. This a a great feature when quilting. My old Bernina always stops with the needle up and if I want it down I have to do it manually. I still love my oldie anyway.

That is my machine! It is 3 years old now, never a bit of trouble, and I have really been happy with it. Lots of good features - needle up/down stopping is good for machine applique,(it remembers that setting until you turn it off) lots of decorative stitches for crazy quilting. Very easy to use. Altogether, a quiet and well-behaved machine. I'm not sure how it reacts to being dropped, though.

I did have to buy the quilting accessories separately- quilt box has the free motion hopping foot, and the walking foot was separate, if I remember right.

The Janome Red model is identical.

Thanks everyone!! You have made me feel better about getting the Kenmore, it was this one or the $350 Janome, but I really didn't want to go over $300, and I figured if it was similar anyway.....

I agree with whomever said that they don't want to invest a ton into a machine and not be able to justify a new one in the future. I started with a cheapy turn dial machine, then moved up to the Singer, and now I am very excited to get this Kenmore, but I am glad it's at a price where if I want to change again in 5 years I can, but it's also of a quality to where if I don't want to change in 5 years I'm not forced to (like I am right now with my Singer). I just cleaned up my sewing nook in my bedroom in anticipation!! Hopefully they have some in stock at the Sears I can go to. :)

The machine doesn't come with an embroidery foot, which I really want since I have yet to try FMQ, if Sears doesn't sell the foot in store, does anyone know if I can get a generic foot at Joanns and have it work on this machine? Or will I need to order it online?

Thanks again for the great feedback, I was hesitant to get this one, but now I am super stoked!! :)

Cheers!
Rachel

Bwahahaa :) :) :) :) Well hopefully I won't be dropping this one!!! LOL I should take pics of my Singer to show you guys, it's pretty sad really. The plastic broke right where you plug in the power and the foot, so I had to jimmy rig it so the foot will stay where it needs to in order to work, and then once I did, I taped the heck out of it so it would move!!! But the drop happened when I brought it to a quilt shop to sew. I had it on the back seat, and I stopped too quick, and bam ..... on the floor. Not cool. If I bring my new baby, it's so getting seat belted in!

Cheers!
Rachel

I loved my Kenmore. I found out to late that Janome was same as Kenmore I could have saved myself a lot of money. I buy feet for my Janome at Sears.

If you have sewn on machines without the needle up/down option, the needle stops whereever it wants to.

Most machines, maybe all, will stop at the needle up position every time. Some have a button (and this one has it) that when you hold it down for a couple of seconds, the needle will stop in the down position every time you stop. This a a great feature when quilting. My old Bernina always stops with the needle up and if I want it down I have to do it manually. I still love my oldie anyway.[/quote]

On my machine I have to push the needle down button every time I stop sewing. Does anyone else have to do this?

Rachel, This machine is a low shank as most Kenmore are, and any generic foot will work as long as it is a low shank. All the other feet besides the walking foot are snap on, which means that the "low shank" part remains on the machine and you only have to change the lowest part of the foot, and any snap on foot will work.

My old Bernina, stops with the needle up and I just have to tap the pedal and it goes down. Love it.

I have that same one. I have mine now for think alittle over 3 years and I love mine.

Some how when I posted my last quote reply I think I did something wrong.

I own a Janome and a Kenmore....love both!

The high end machines have a needle up/needle down feature built into the computer. The default position is needle up, but a touch with the stylus on the indicator on the screen, puts it in the needle down position. On my old workhorse Janome, which also is computerized, I have to push the needle up/down button each time.

If it is made by Janome, you can go to any Janome dealer and buy feet for it.

I hope Sears has this machine in stock so you can get it right away. Good luck! :)

I have that same model, mine is made by Janome. I love my machine I have had it for over 4 years now and it works flawlessly.

I have this machine and just love it. All I have ever sewn on is a Kenmore, and this is my third. I wore out my second one by sewing clothes for the SCA. I have loved doing my quilts on this machine. But I am also a Kenmore fan. Look at many others but always come back and buy the Kenmore.

Can't go wrong with a kenmore, I have one and it is 20 years old. It is no longer my main machine but I will not part with it. I was a work horse. Enjoy your new machine I am so happy for you.

The extra $50 you are saving will buy a couple of more feet on your new machine :D:D:D I can't wait to see your first quilt off of your new machine :D:D:D My Sears store sells some accessories and feet too :wink:

Kenmore is made by Janome, not Bernina. This is a good machine! I have one just like it and use it all the time.
Very quiet and runs very smoothly. I think you will like it. I paid almost double this at Sears.

Congrats!

One word of caution with dealing with Sears.....they will charge you a restocking fee (which is huge) if you return your item. Doesn't matter how much the item cost or whether the box is open or not. READ THE RECEIPT! It's there in VERY tiny print! Don't buy the extended warranty on it either. I have never heard anything good about their service departments either (pricey work, won't honor warranty, time frame to fix/repair/clean takes too long). I have a Kenmore, bought brand new from Sears. It needed a good cleaning and such and I took it to a sewing machine guy who charged me 1/3 of what Sears would have charged me.

Well I went down to a different Sears then i usually go to tonight and they not only had my machine in stock, but they also had the walking foot/embroidery foot combo set there!! Yay!! So needless to say all those babies came home with me!! Thanks again everyone for your comments, it was exactly what I needed to get this new machine. Of course I ran by Joann's after and picked up some fabric for a new project. :) :) :)

Cheers!
Rachel

Congrates you will love it.

YAY, how exciting! I can't wait to see what you're going to create first. :D

It looks like a wonderful machine and seems to getting great reviews. Have fun with it.

Congrats on getting your new machine!!! You will love it!

So did you get the kenmore? You will love it. So far mine is just fine. When I first got mine I played with the different stitch patterns. But not much since. But I want to start putting some stitch patterns into some of my projects.

I just had to write a note and say that I have my grandmother's Kenmore and it sews like a dream. I have never had a problem with it at all. It just purrs! And I found the book on it when we moved and it's a 1948 model!!! I just don't think you can go wrong with a Kenmore!! I have a new Juki and it doesn't run as well as the old Kenmore.