Kenmore 158.1503

 

I bought this Kenmore for $15 from a craigslist seller.  The picture in the listing made the machine look really dirty (it was dusty but not too bad) and the table basically just holds it: no drawers, shelves, spool pins -- and not in good shape at all.  I wasn't even sure I wanted it but I did want to get in the car and drive and this was the perfect excuse.

The owner said he was about to take it to the scrap metal shop as no one had expressed any interest in it.  I wrote to him the day he was going to dispose of it and so I have a special place in my heart for this machine, the 158.1503 in mint green.  I managed to save another one.

Made in 1970 (the 1503 was manufactured by Maruzen in Japan from 1969 - 71), this is one of Kenmore's workhorse machines made for heavy duty home sewing.  It's a straight stitch machine with a cam assembly (accessed through the door on top) and has a built-in automatic buttonhole using two settings, F and R (Forward and Reverse), on the dial.  The cam assembly means that the machine's default is straight stitch only until a cam is inserted, including zig-zag and every other non-straight stitch design.  The dial controls width (non-functional if a cam is not inserted) and the lever controls length.  The small button is the power/light switch, an interlock and a common feature on many Kenmore machines.  The round lever below the dial drops the feed dogs.  One really nice feature is that the length of the stitch for the buttonhole function can be slightly modified using a small lever in the back of the machine.  This means that you don't have to change the length setting on the front dial and back again when the buttonhole is finished and it allows very fine gradation between lengths.  Nifty.

For those familiar with vintage Kenmores, the 1503 is a fairly common design.  Although many sewing machines (Kenmores included) were standard zig-zag machines (zig-zag being built into the machine), having zig-zag as a cam function recognized that the vast amount of utility sewing is done in straight stitch.  This directs more power to the needle rather than dissipating over other mechanics and is also a less expensive design to manufacture, allowing Kenmore to sell these machines for a somewhat lower price than machines with more built-in stitches.  I believe this machine sold with as  many as 10 double-sided cams (20 total designs), so the 1503 has no lack of decorative ability. 

After an extensive oiling (it was bone dry and very stiff), the 1503 sews beautifully.  The motor is 1.2 amps so the machine is powerful and can sew through most fabric with ease.  Stitches are perfectly uniform, the tension rarely needs adjusting, and the machine performs flawlessly.  It's quiet and smooth, with a low humming sound that is really satisfying.

While it's not the most beautiful machine (although it's in excellent condition), the 1503's beauty is in how it operates, its power, and smoothness.  $15 for such great machinery is a steal.  I would consider being buried with it but that would certainly be throwing it on a scrap heap.  No, I will be giving this wonderful machine to some lucky person who wants the best.  With gentle use and proper maintenance, the 1503 will sew indefinitely.