Walking around a thrift store today, I swore to myself I wouldn't buy anything I don't need. I'm house-shopping and trying to off-load a bunch of stuff, not add to it. However, I did spy a Kenmore electronic sewing machine from the 1980s in a tall Kenmore case that fits some of the convertible machines I own for which I don't have cases.
I'm always on the lookout for sewing machine carry cases. They're often expensive, meaning I can easily pay $25 for an old plastic hard shell case (sometimes less, sometimes more). I usually wait to find machines + cases for about $10 and get rid of the machine, as I planned to do with this Kenmore I found today. The case is one of the tall ones that are a little more rare than the standard flat bed cases you see everywhere (except when you need one on the shelf of a thrift store). My 158.1913 needs this very case so I was very happy to find this one.
I considered donating the machine right back to the store. I'm glad I didn't. This is a Janome-made Kenmore and is incredibly smooth and quiet. The front of the machine is plastic; the back and arm (free arm, once you remove the plastic storage compartment in front of the feed dogs) is enameled aluminum, so it's a rather strong frame. When plugging it in at the testing station in the store, it ran like a top. It's fast and there is very, very little vibration. When I say this thing is quiet, it's not much more than a purr -- a very pleasant sound. I've only sewed cotton with it thus far (light and heavier) and it's got some power, too. Speed, power, smoothness, quietness, and excellent stitch quality -- not much more you could ask from a thrift store machine. It's in great shape, too:
This particular series of machines was available in various stitch configurations: I've seen 8, 10, 12, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30, 36, and I believe a 100 that was an early computerized model. The design is simple and handsome, very straightforward, and easy to operate. A four-step buttonhole function is built-in in addition to the simple, stretch, and decorative stitches. I had another Janome that I really liked but it sat around without much use, so I sold it and bought two industrial machines. This one is several steps down but sews like a champ; the hook/race design of the two machines are actually nearly identical.
I'm a fan of powerful vintage machines, preferably all-metal, preferably industrial. However, there is so much to like about this basic machine that I'm really glad I have it and I plan to make use of it. If you see one, consider this an enthusiastic recommendation, especially if the price is similar to what I paid: $9.99.
Correction: It appears these machines (with the orange stitch number on the face plate) were built in the early to mid-'90s, not the '80s.
