Brand New Kenmore 12331
 

I just got a call from one of the guys at the thrift store I go to a lot. He said he had a brand new, never used Kenmore in the box for me to look at. So I was thinking plastic and possibly a gift. I get there and the box is old. Machine looked good and had all the parts so I got it. Still wasn't totally sure if I believed the part about it never being used. The lady who dropped it off told them that she never ever used it. So I got it in the house (DH is not home) and tried it out. Sure enough it does appear to be brand spanking new. Sews beautifully. Kind of cool being first to sew on a brand new older machine. The problem is that once they come home with me I tend to get attached to them. I was getting ready to sew the backing for a quilt, so I am just going to use that one. Curious though to exactly how old it is.

Probably 30-40 years old.

I've picked up 3 or 4 machines of that vintage and they have all looked really nice.

Prim,

I have a chart for Kenmores. Give me the entire model #, it will look something like 158-12345.
The prefix is the manufacture code, the last digits the model #. But it takes them all to date it.

The older Kenmores are as good if not better than their Singer contemporaries. I've got several Kenmores I will not part with, and many Singers that can go if the price is right.

Mater of fact when I was in the hospital last July my wife sold one of my Kenmore cabinet machines and did not clear it with me first. She still hasn't heard the last of it. :(

Joe
Joe

Joe,

The model number is 385.1233180 and the Serial No. is 22802047. The box to me looks 1970's. I could not find a date on the manual, however, there is a picture of someone in there wearing bell bottoms.

I have a Kenmore machine here that I got out of the free room at the same thrift store. I am not sure if it has a high shank or a super high shank. That one and I have not bonded yet.

Then I have a Kenmore that a lady gave me to get rid of it. It was her HS graduation gift from her parents in the 1960s and her dad made the cabinet for it.......I use that one to free motion quilt on. Just had to replace the brushes in that one because I use it so much.

If the model# starts with 385, it's made by Janome....& that would be after the 158 series.

Prim,

Well Joey can't come through this time :( . My chart stops at the 158 prefix machines. So I can't date it.

But the 385 machines were made by Janome. I think if you contact Sears they might be able to tell you when it was sold. The 70s or 80s does sound like a good time frame.

Go here to find out about pressure foot shanks: { http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/01/...g-machine.aspx }

I like Kenmores. I have a 158-17570 that I have every attachment Sears sold for it as best as I can tell. I also have two 117 series Kenmores and a goofy POS 120-491 machine.

I like them all but the 120-491.

Joe

Thanks!!! I don't have a Janome, but I have heard good things about them. This machine was made in Taiwan. I know when I was a little kid everything seemed to be made in Japan, I am not sure when that changed to Taiwan. I was born in 1962.

I will check out about the foot shank. I only have the one that came on that machine since I couldn't figure out if it was high or super high. I did get some cams to go with it, but I was afraid I would get the wrong foot.

I just checked the Sears archive list, too....probably the same list Joe checked. According to that list, 158's were made up to 1980. I'm guessing it's early 80's.

I've got Kenmores (158 series), Singers, Whites, Nationals, & more BUT the Kenmores have got to be my favorites...with the possible exception of my Singer 201-2. Kenmores are really good machines.

I am a Singer/Kenmore gal myself. I have a dressmaker, wizard, brother and sewmore but I always go back to my reliable singers and kenmores. I am partial to the Singer 15-91 and 201, but I also like my 158 series Kenmores of which I have 3

I have 2 kenmores 1978 and one in the 90's....they both sew beautiful and use as backup/retreat machines....