Janome 2212

I'm trying really hard not to be an impulse buyer. It's a lot easier to say 'Step away from the Craig's List' than to do it but I was in need of a fix -- literally. I recently purchased a Kenmore 385.15512000 without a power cord/foot pedal and I had no way to run the machine because the connecting plug (the male part that fits into the machine's receptacle) has a Janome-specific design and the only less expensive after-market versions I've been able to find are $25 (eBay) and NOT UL LISTED. (Bad!)

CL came through one more time and I have been blessed with yet another machine as gravy, this time a Janome 2212 which I've decided that I really, really like.  It's low-end but that doesn't mean it's cheap.  The seller listed the machine for $25, explaining that something is wrong with it and she'd rather not spend more money than it's worth having it fixed.  Reading through this rather logical ad, I contacted her stating that I might be able to fix it.  She wrote back offering the machine for free, saying that my time is worth something.  I thought that was extremely generous and nice.  What a lovely young woman (and incredibly hot, too).  Gorgeous women bearing gifts?  Watch out!

The machine was filthy but it had the cord/pedal I needed and after a very nice conversation, I left her office and promptly went to the local Goodwill and found yet another sewing machine.  Then I went shopping for food at the large Vietnamese supermarket next door and then the large Hispanic supermarket next to it.  Then I had to get home and get back to work!

Finally, I was able to clean it up late this afternoon and address the problem: huge dust/lint issues in the hook/race, extremely dry hook/race, and the take-up lever interacting with the width control arm causing a knocking.  I also oiled a non-Teflon joint and that made a huge difference.  This machine is fast!  Once I had it going full speed and at all stitch settings, I was impressed with its solidity and lack of vibration.  It wasn't moving on the table at all.

I also cleaned up the exterior and although there are some scrapes and dings I couldn't do anything about, I think the machine looks pretty good:

 
As you can see, this is very similar to the Kenmore I linked above.  I prefer the Kenmore version, as it's slightly heavier, the hand wheel has a more solid feel, the spool pins are metal rather than plastic-coated wire on the Janome, and the lamp cover is hinged rather than screwed on.  I much prefer the Kenmore's accessory storage, as the Janome's convertible bed just pulls off with no lid (a very odd design decision, in my opinion).  However, this 2212 is one nice machine and the price, well, the price couldn't be beat.

Kenmore 385.1764180

Here's a bit of a departure.

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.