Champanier

Oh my goodness. After my treadle, my first sewing machine (1976) was a $99 Kenmore 158 maybe 1515. It came with 10 cams and worked happily for years. Since it was the only sewing machine I had, I thought all sewing machines were like this. Then, after we had a flood in the basement from a burst washer hose, it disappeared in the chaos and I've searched in vain to find it. And, still, none of the sewing machines I've gotten in this year's mad frenzy sewed like my old Kenmore.
So, when I saw a Kenmore for $80 on Craigslist a few weeks ago, I bought it. It's fancier than my old one by a good bit, with some built-in stitches, free arm, and 30 cams. When I ran it, though, it sounded a little crunchy/creaky, even though it was powerful. I didn't have a manual and I'm still working on the Singer 201, so the Kenmore went on the floor for a while. I finally bought a manual online and later found a different one online for free, so I knew how to get everything apart to oil it. Yesterday, i polished up the 201 and brought out the Kenmore. Took everything apart, cleaned it, oiled it, and kept turning the wheel to try to be sure I got every bit of crunchiness smoothed out. Put everything back together and threaded.
Now please play choirs of angels sounds as you read. I started sewing and it was everything I remembered from the old lost 158 and even better. It sewed so beautifully as I tried different built-in stitches, then put in cam after cam. I literally stayed up till 3 a.m. doing everything I could think of with the different stitches and still haven't tried all the cams. Ran out of bobbin thread and wound a new one and even that worked so smoothly and wound the most perfect, even bobbin you could want. Oh, I am so so so happy.

sweet

I'm impressed! Love those old Kenmores also!

SteveH

So totally not my style, but that machine looks almost new!!! Congrats!!!

Macybaby

I understand. It was what I felt when I started sewing on the White 670. From my Mom's notes, it's the model she had when I was growing up. I sewed a lot on the 201, but when us girls got good enough, we were allowed to sew on the fancy machine.

I don't remember much about the machine - but sitting down to sew - and it was SO easy - my brain may not have remembered the machine, but my body did! It was like sewing with a long lost friend.

KenmoreRulesAll

Yep. Kenmores rule. 1960s and '70s Kenmores are incredible machines.

A sincere congrats because I know just how you feel.

Mrs. SewNSew

Ahhhh...I hear the angels singing! I'm extra excited too because I have a Kenmore 1760 that I cleaned up and haven't even played with yet and it looks just like yours. *Note to self-play with Kenmore! Listen for angels... lol!

Skyangel

I received a Kenmore 158-1946 for my HS graduation and it was my only machine for 25 years. I did everything, including re-upholstering the seat of my Datsun PU (remember them?) with it, and it never let me down. Mine was a basic model - didn't take any cams but I didn't need fancy stitches anyway, I had boys. I still have it and it does get used, less frequently now. Congrats on your find, enjoy it!

Rodney

Congrats on your Kenmore! I still haven't bought one. It seems like every time I run across a decent one it's sitting next to something I like better. The last time was when I bought my blue Ambassador dashboard machine.
Rodney

ann31039

I love the kenmores. powerful and quiet. My sister bought one in the 80's that has became everyones favorite. Recently she found one on ebay just like it and showed it to my son. He bought it and gave it to me for my birthday next week. Its perfect. No scratches on it, doesn't look used at all. The bottom of the foot control shows NO wear. The seller stated that she had bought it new and maybe used it 3 times. He's won favored child status with this one. It came yesterday and sews so nicely.

foufymaus

congrats on your new kenmore!!