Kenmore 158.1786

Value Village had a sale last Monday.  A big one: 50% off bed/bath and $0.99 for yellow tagged items.  I also received 30% off all other purchases because I donated enough to fill out a donations card.

I didn't arrive at the store at the opening bell so I didn't expect to find much but I did pretty well, I think.  A Kenmore 158.1786 caught my eye, forlornly sitting on a wine refrigerator without its cord/controller combo.  I knew I had a spare at home and so $5.99 later, I hauled it home.

This is a very nice machine, one of the all-steel innards 1970s Kenmores I love.  I knew that when I plugged it in, flipped the switch, and pressed the controller, this thing would purr and I was not disappointed.  Cleaned and oiled, it shines.

14 built-in stitches, a cam assembly for an additional 30 stitches (C-type cams), thread pretensioner on the cover, stitch modifier for stretch stitches, a nifty flip-over bed extension that both reveals a free arm and provides temporary notions storage, a snap-on bed plate with a see-through window, drop-in bobbin, full rotary hook, and double needle-capable.  The plunger pressure gauge is my favorite style and once I cleaned, oiled, and adjusted the bobbin winder assembly, this thing works perfectly!  It's now ready for a new owner, not the land fill.

Now, on to fabric.  One of the great things about thrift store fabric is you never know what you'll find and I've managed to snag some really interesting scraps.  And scraps is usually what I find: remnants from personal stashes, rags (literally), pillow cases, you name it.  But I also find some kind of cool things on occasion.  I shop with a dual mindset, thinking of things I'd like to make and searching for the perfect fabric and also open to suggestion ("Oh, cool!  I could make a __________ with that!").

For an Indian kurta (only 50 cents!):

And some cotton prints with metallic for trim pieces (1.5 and 2.5 yards):

For jeans pocket bags, a cotton print (3.5 yards):

For tote or grocery bags, a cotton canvas print and a cotton blend tapestry fabric (1.5 and 3 yards):

A printed cotton for a scarf, about 3 yards:

Cashmere, for a scarf, about 1.5 yards:

High-quality printed cotton in a twill weave.  Here's a borderline case, as I don't really like the color (not a fan of purple, generally) but the fabric is so nice I couldn't leave it behind.  I'm thinking a robe, tunic, kurta, or resort pants.  Light to mid weight, about 5 yards:

Interesting woven, probably a combination of silk and linen.  For a sheer kurta or Egyptian-style tunic, lined for spring/fall, sheer for summer.  About 5 yards:

I also purchased yet another machine but this one is not quite ready for its close up so I will be presenting that one in several days.  Stay tuned!

All of this fabric ran me about $15, so I did OK.  I couldn't do that at a fabric store clearance and I found things none of the fabric stores have.  I've had particularly good fortune at that Value Village location and I wonder if a professional seamstress lives nearby.  I've found a lot of Asian fabrics, including some very nice Japanese cottons and wool.