Kenmore 385.1584180

This morning I found a CL listing for a free sewing machine and I drew in a sharp breath as I stared at the picture.  There it was in all its UV-damaged glory: the Janome-made 385 16-stitch machine I'd been thinking about with such regret.

You see, I took a trip through some depressed lumber towns recently and in one of the several thrift stores I entered, I found several sewing machines mostly in terrible states of repair.  I found this very same model and cringed, as many of its parts had been stripped by 'customers': no spool pins, no bobbin winder post, no winder stop post, no slide plate, etc.  It was dinged and scratched, yellowed and scraped.  No, I can't save them all but I'm very into these Janome/Kenmore 385s right now and I've regretted not simply putting it under my arm and walking to the cashier.

Well, this universe works things out for us and here is the same model, in much, much better condition:

I've yet to oil and run it but moving the hand wheel is extremely smooth and the machine feels as solid as its 24-stitch relative.  I really love these Janome 385 Kenmores and can't wait to get this one in tip-top shape as well as find the next one for the collection.  But I may have to sell a couple of other machines.  What a tragedy.

Kenmore 385.17828490

I'm in the process of selling my condo in town and so am flexing my prodigious muscles, carrying furniture, cleaning, and doing a lot of driving around.  /sarc

To treat myself, I stopped by Goodwill in a Seattle neighborhood just to see what might be waiting for me.  I found this gem of a machine with just a few nicks in the plastic and the needle clamp/thread guide missing -- very easily replaced.  I didn't even have to clean it much more than a wipe down and scrub here and there (although in the pictures, I can see I missed a couple of spots; I'll try to do better next time). 

This particular model is a 28-stitch machine, sharing many similarities with one of its 24-stitch brethren I picked up very recently.  One difference is an indicator window for suggested settings and presser feet depending upon the stitches selected -- regular, decorative, stretch, or 4-step buttonhole.

I haven't researched this at all but I'm guessing this one is somewhat later, as the back panel is plastic rather than the enameled aluminum found on the 24 and the spool pin is transverse rather than the pull-up/push-down metal variety that I prefer.  Otherwise, the machines are very much the same, especially their smooth and quiet operation and quality feel.  Janome, you make a good machine. 

It's important to make sure these vintage machines include the power cord/pedal, as replacements can cost far more than the machines themselves.  This one has its pedal and even included a carry case (with the nifty Kenmore logo) and the original manual.

The whole shebang was $14.99 and unfortunately there was no discount.  I suppose I could have negotiated a bit due to the missing needle clamp but I'm a firm believer in not pushing one's luck, particularly my own.  Is there such a thing as Luck?  I doubt it.