If only they came in pink.

Eh?

Well the Lady Kenmore is a rosy color which many call pink. Very sweet little machine!

I'm sewing on a 1974 158.1774 made in Japan. Great all-metal machine. Sews through anything I give it.

Note that if a cabinet is important to you, then you're lucky to find the two together. Vintage Kennies are longer than other machines and won't fit a standard cabinet.

Plus, the bed has square corners. I do see quite a few Kenmore machines with tables/cabinets, though.

I have several Kenmores I'm keeping. I have found them to be equal to or better than their contemporary Singers.
My oldest is a Kenmore 117-812 from the 30s. The newest is a 158-17570. They sew smooth, quiet and strong.

I've sold several of like vintage and so far not one complaint.

Are Kenmores worth buying? Yes.

Joe

I have a little one that is 60yrs. old and still going strong. All metal and in a nice plastic case that is covered in carved roses.

just googled this...

I have three and they are some of the best machines I have ever owned. I sew with them all the time...I have not paid over 30.00 for any of them.

I received my Kenmore when I graduated from college in 1972 - it is still my favorite machine. It makes the prettiest buttonholes I have ever seen on ANY machine! Am getting ready to change the belt - for only the second time in it's 41 years with me - and it has been my go to machine since I received it. Having costumed over 60 shows in my high school teaching career - I can swear by my Kenmore!

I appreciate reading your views on this thread. I was given a Kenmore 158.??? in a good cabinet and I have partially meched it (haven't got the top off yet- how does it come off?) It is in reasonable shape but the reverse button is damaged, but works. I have all the cams and the instruction book. It's one of 30 machines I have and use, and has decorative stitches the others don't have. When I did the first maintenance, I was impressed with the engineering. It's my first Kenmore and I understand the 158 series is very good? When I pieced my first quilt on it, I was disappointed because the smallest stitch seems to be 12 stitches to an inch, and I prefer 20 or even 30 that vintage Singers can offer for piecing quilts. I had to either back tack or sew over every seam. I have not tried to quilt on it; has anyone quilted on a Kenmore?

A stranger on freecycle is asking for a machine. She wants the Kenmore, but I'm not sure I want to give it up even though it's taking up valuable space and is actually in the way. I am trying to downsize in general and I may give her another machine. Her daughter broke the machine she had, a Janome, and I wouldn't like to see that happen to the Kenmore. Neither of them knows a lot about sewing or machines.

It sounds to me like most of you on this thread would keep the machine and find room. Is that right? Can anyone say anything that would help me decide to keep it and use it or give it away? Or maybe sell it? What would you do?

Try just pulling up on the top...on a lot of them it's held on with clips & just snaps off/on. Is your stitch length correct at the longest setting? Your dial should go from about 6 spi all the way down to stitching in the same spot. On all of mine (158.17550, Ultra-stitch 8 & Ultra stitch 12) there's an eccentric behind the stitch length dial. By loosening a set screw there & turning the eccentric you can adjust your stitch length.