I lost my manual for my Kenmore. I was able to pull a copy and download and printit from the Sears website. You might try that for your manual. My Kenmore is now my backup machine. I have a Janome 6600P. I bought it from the dealer 10 miles away from me. The dealer's husband works in the shop and is also the repairman. Sadly, they didn't offer lessons, and showed me very little on the machine. I had been sewing for over 45 years, just not quilting. The wife was more interested in trying to get me to buy a Janome Embroidery machine which was way more expensive. My machine is 3 years old and I haven't done a thing to it.

Like everyone else is saying, I would recommend you shop around at your local dealers. I did this several years ago. I also had a list of the things I wanted. Something I considered was the space under the machine arm. I wanted to do FM quilting and knew that there was only so much fabric I could move under there, so space was a big issue for me.

If the machine you have works and stitches a good straight stitch don't give it up for new. New isn't always better. Post the model # and serial # of your machine and there might be parts from other older machine parts that will work for you. we have a vintage forum on this board please post a picture and the #s I mentioned on that forum and see if they can't help you.

Good luck suzy

I have had any sewing machines in my lifetime (75)and have tried all the major brands except Brother and Janone. My first good machine was a Bernina 830 in the early 80's (which my daughter has) , then several Vikings, Babylocks, Pfaff Creative 2. Now I have a Pfaff Creative 4 which I am selling because I purchased the Bernina 803 at the Lancaster Quilt show in March (at a very good price with trade-ins and I can't afford to keep both machines, although I would like to... In general, all were good machines and I liked them, but there are features in each that bugged me. However, you learn to adapt. I am just learning the 803- at first I thought it was too advanced for me, but thanks to lessons, I'm beginning to think it's a fabulous machine. I doubt that I will ever use it to it's full potential, however. The Lancaster dealer arranged for me to get lessons from the local Bernina dealer at his expense. I would not have bought it otherwise. You definitely need a good dealer who is willing to give you lessons. The local Bernina dealer is excellent, and I would have preferred to buy it locally, but the price difference was too great. I started out wanting a Bernina machine because of the stitch regulator. No other machine maker offers that. I just had my lesson on it, and it will take some practice , but I think I will love it.

My experience is that unless you purchase the machine from a local shop, they aren't willing to help you, and you can't blame them. Most owners will give as many lessons as you need. Since I have finished the basic mastery classes, I will have to pay for any more lessons, but they are more than willing to help me if I have a question.

Sorry this is so long- I would have preferred to send this privately, but I can't figure out how.

I agree that the Janome is a great machine. I have had 5 since I started sewing and pass them down to DD when I get another one. I have 2 now a light weight for workshops and 6600P for every other home quilting as it has a bigger throat.

Sounds like it's time for a road trip! :)