I was going to write a quick post on what I am reading/listening to while sewing and it is in a way. Just not the original thought.
Here it is past noon, half my day over. And I have not sewn one stitch. You see I received a new sewing machine the other day,
it's a Kenmore 158.1040.
So clean, doesn't look like it has been use much.
Isn't it beautiful.
This is the machine I had when I first started sewing back in 1973. I had gotten rid of the original machine but a friend of mine, Sandi B. had found one at an estate sale and bought it for me. So I decided I was going to try it out on the block for Sisters in Scriptures. Well when I started it up, it was awfully noisy so I decided it probably needed a good oiling. But you see the manual did not come with the machine. That meant I needed to get on the Internet and see if I could locate a free PDF file of the manual, for that I had to check a few sites, but I was able to find one here at a Kenmore parts site.
That is what I have been reading, the manual.
So then I wanted to oil the machine. Well it took a quite few minutes to get the screws undone, they were rather tight.
But I was able to get it all done and now it runs a lot quieter and smoother. I just love this little machine. This little machine sewn all mine and my two oldest girls clothes back in the day. It was a little work horse.
But you see it only does straight and zigzag stitch. And like so many of us, after some years later I thought at that time I needed a new machine, so I upgraded to a 12 stitch Kenmore. I love that machine also (and still have it) but in my move to Oklahoma I ended up selling my original little machine and regretted every minute of it. But thanks to Sandi I now have the original model of the machine I had back in the early 70's I can't wait to sew it.
It does a beautiful little straight stitch and it has some power, it will sew through many layers of fabric. I remember sewing through 4 layers of Levi fabric and it did a wonderful job. If you can get your hands on one I would recommend it, such a good little machine.
I love the roses on the machine case -- that's such a neat touch!
ReplyDeleteOn my first one, my daughter Stephanie decided that they needed to be colored. So she colored them red.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous case!! I can't believe those roses in relief - won't find anything like that being made these days.
ReplyDeleteHeart sick but so happy for you. I bought a Kenmore in 1966. My parents had a fit because I paid for it on credit. An $88 machine cost $100 after a year and they were so unhappy with me. But I sewed on that thing like crazy. And just like you I thought I had to have fancy-schmancy and sold the old one (in a cabinet) for $25. I still think of it. I miss it. That was a good machine. You got a doozy.
ReplyDeleteThe case is beautiful. I handed my Kenmore with cams from the mid-1970s to my son. He still sews costumes for SCA, occasionally, with that machine. They were workhorses. In 25 years, I mistreated it so badly, and only cleaned it once! It kept going anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love the roses, too! You should display the case all of the time, it is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetie! A
ReplyDeletend I bet it will sew through more 4 layers. Old Levi's used to have 12 layers where the side seams were wrapped. I didn't have that version but another and it just sang. I miss it, even if it didn't have a cover as cool as yours.
I have my Nana's Kenmore (same model) I was searching for a manual when I found you! Thanks for the link, this will help me so much. I've had it about 9 years now & love it, even though I haven't figured out all the things it does.
ReplyDeleteHi! I just purchased one for 5 dollars at a local thrift shop; didn't realize it could do more than a straight stitch at first, but wow, I am surprised! I do have to buy a control foot for it and have been cleaning it though it isn't too bad. Of course, it will need oil. Wish me luck that it works! Happy sewing!
ReplyDeleteKelly
I have one of these beauties too and I love it. It's SO functional and easy to use. It can sew almost anything and I like it especially for knits. In particular, I like how it handles twin needles. I can finish knit hems almost like a coverstitch, not as fast mind you, but just as well. I have a collection of vintage Kenmores, my favorite brand of machine, and this baby is special.
ReplyDeleteJust like you, I had a Kenmore 158-14001, given me by my parents in 1969. It was my first very own machine and I used it constantly. Years ago, I sold it and again, like you, I missed it. So I went out and found a duplicate which I treasure. I got hooked on collecting different Kenmore models and now I have 14! My husband thinks I'm nuts. Perhaps he's right, but I don't care. I maintain them all and use each of them periodically. They are like old friends.
Same story. This was my first machine, also. I “upgraded” to a machine that is fine but miss my 158. I knew it inside and out. It would be perfect for retreats. I am looking. One will find me someday. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDelete