My grandmother is a collector and restorer of vintage machines and gives them to her granddaughters :) I have a 1950s Bernina and a 1970s Singer from her. All mechanical parts, all oiling points marked in nail polish, and the manual sourced and printed out. My machines work so well and so consistently because of the time she put into them, and the time she put into teaching me how to take care of them :)
As mentioned Sears Kenmore did not make their own sewing machines. However they were such a major retailer that they could have machines built to their own specifications. The 158 series is considered the best. More powerful motors and some having a double pulley system to provide more power. Using common low shank feet and attachments. And commonly found class 15 bobbins. New sewing machines do have the benefits mentioned but are considered more of a throw away machine full of plastic parts. The older Kenmore's came with a 25 year warranty.
Holy a 25 year warranty? If only manufacturers still did that huh? And you're right about newer machines being throw away machines. While they do last a long time they definitely aren't designed to last decades like they were in the past. You can a lot of times see the points that will start to fail on them as time goes on too.
Kenmore machines will hold up but you do need to take care of them. As with any machine, I’m sure, but I learned the hard way. I’d still be using the Kenmore I got after college in 1985 if I’d cleaned the inside more often and taken it for regular tuneups. In 2020 when I started making masks and it jammed up, replacing it was cheaper than repair. 😢
I started with 600 sqft 1 bedroom apt with two cheap walmart folding tables that were bending so I had a large plastic cutting board that my mom threw out to stablize the sewing machine. My rig had more jimmy in it but I learned to tailor and sew on it! Even did and emergency alteration for a friends uniform on it! And I've eventually upgraded to a corner with two specialty sewing desks. I aint where you started, it's where you're going!
Just found your channel, absolutely love everything about what you do (captions are awesome as well) - my grandma gave me her 70s Toyota machine last year and it works like a charm - she's super meticulous so I've got everything from the original accessories to her sticky notes still in the pages of the manual. Great video!
I've jerked with old sewing machines a decent amount. After all that, my favorite home machine is an early '70's Kenmore. Most were made by Janome. All metal (early 70's, later 70's that had some plastic gears). Strong, reliable and mechanically simple. Singers bug me. They had odd bobbins and the early zig-zag mechanisms I didn't like. It's my goto machine for anything that needs zig-zag. My second favorite brand is Juki.
I know it's WAY more expensive than a good cheap machine, but I got the cheapest computerized sewing/embroidering machine from a major brand I could find (Got a Brother SE625 for $280 when it was on clearance/discontinued at Walmart. All the 600 series machines are the same but the included media is different, mine came on a CD! but there's a USB port so you can run any design. Saved me $100 or more shopping around) and I LOVE it. Only problem is it will break your thread, so I usually run some pretty strong stuff. Also took a bit of getting used to with all the technology and touch screen lol Not what I was used to.
Thats an AWESOME find!! And whats great about that is even though it was a bit of an investment up front you won't ever need to buy another machine for the rest of your life (knock on wood haha).
Nice Video! However, you can get TONS of accessories for older Kenmores. Parts are cheap and abundant. Sears outsourced everything, and their sewing machines were made by other manufacturerurs from White, to Maruzen, Soryu and Janome as rebranded models. In fact, Kenmore still spec'd metal gears for a few years after Singer had gone to plastic- making the Kenmore 158. and 148. models are pretty robust compared to other domestic models of the same era. These are great finds if you can find some of the "Made in Japan" models.
One of my sewing machines of choice is the Singer Izek (has an interesting gimmick.) The one I have is partly discolored, and the pedal jack malfunctioned. While thankfully, it has push button operation, trying to order a new pedal jack found me with a site that has the part listed, only for them to cancel the order several times.
@@StylishDTailors word is the Singer Futura uses the same pedal jack, but I haven’t had the chance to thoroughly compare. In the meantime, while I prefer having control with the food pedal, push button sewing has been a nice change. If you want an idea about it, Elliot Coll did a few videos on the Gameboy sewing machine (I have the earlier, less advanced model.)
I managed to find a fancy 70s hd machine that had all the accessories for like $10, though the feed dog drive clamp thing was broken. One ziptie later and I was off to the races. Steals are out there, keep your eyes open.
I need to retighten the ziptie occasionally, and the clutch needs adjusted, but it's a trooper. Eventually I'll get some jbweld and fix the cracked casting, but I've done a few big projects on it as is.
Kenmore never made sewing machines. Those "Kenmore" machines were farmed out to other manufacturers like White and Singer (rebadged). Yes, you can still find attachments and presser feet for these machines. I have a 1972 White (Kenmore) and have never had any problems finding attachments.
they never rebranded Singer machines, as they were their largest competitor. Rather, they farmed out to Japanese (and some German) manufacturers, the early ones making Singer 'clones'. The main manufacturers for Kenmores were: White, Soryu, Maruzen, Janome, Riccar, Necchi and one Gritzner Kaiser.
I'm looking to buy my first sewing machine, but I have to be completely sure it can handle denim and flannel. Any tips on how to verify if a machine can handle tougher tasks, without it being labeled ST or Heavy Duty? Thanks!
Most definitely, to be honest MOST sewing machines at the upper range around $80 can handle denim no problem. And most definitely flannel. Now they would go through denim like butter or anything but it will for sure get the job done. For instance Brother's LX and XM models are very reasonably priced even brand new (Walmart carries the XM models for like $80 new) and they will handle what you need no problem.
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My grandmother is a collector and restorer of vintage machines and gives them to her granddaughters :) I have a 1950s Bernina and a 1970s Singer from her. All mechanical parts, all oiling points marked in nail polish, and the manual sourced and printed out. My machines work so well and so consistently because of the time she put into them, and the time she put into teaching me how to take care of them :)
Ok...I'm pretty sure you have the most awesome grandmother IN THE WORLD!!
As mentioned Sears Kenmore did not make their own sewing machines. However they were such a major retailer that they could have machines built to their own specifications. The 158 series is considered the best. More powerful motors and some having a double pulley system to provide more power. Using common low shank feet and attachments. And commonly found class 15 bobbins. New sewing machines do have the benefits mentioned but are considered more of a throw away machine full of plastic parts. The older Kenmore's came with a 25 year warranty.
Holy a 25 year warranty? If only manufacturers still did that huh? And you're right about newer machines being throw away machines. While they do last a long time they definitely aren't designed to last decades like they were in the past. You can a lot of times see the points that will start to fail on them as time goes on too.
Kenmore machines will hold up but you do need to take care of them. As with any machine, I’m sure, but I learned the hard way. I’d still be using the Kenmore I got after college in 1985 if I’d cleaned the inside more often and taken it for regular tuneups. In 2020 when I started making masks and it jammed up, replacing it was cheaper than repair. 😢
I started with 600 sqft 1 bedroom apt with two cheap walmart folding tables that were bending so I had a large plastic cutting board that my mom threw out to stablize the sewing machine. My rig had more jimmy in it but I learned to tailor and sew on it! Even did and emergency alteration for a friends uniform on it! And I've eventually upgraded to a corner with two specialty sewing desks. I aint where you started, it's where you're going!
Thats an AWESOME origin story, thanks for sharing! You're spot on, it ain't where you started it's where you're going!
Just picking up this new hobby, and borrowing my wife's sewing machine!
Good luck! I hope she doesn't plan on getting it back anytime soon...
Just found your channel, absolutely love everything about what you do (captions are awesome as well) - my grandma gave me her 70s Toyota machine last year and it works like a charm - she's super meticulous so I've got everything from the original accessories to her sticky notes still in the pages of the manual. Great video!
Welcome aboard! And your grandma sounds like an AWESOME person! I love hearing about people taking care of their machines like that!
@@StylishDTailors She really is, I'm honoured she let me have the machine in the first place!
I've jerked with old sewing machines a decent amount. After all that, my favorite home machine is an early '70's Kenmore. Most were made by Janome. All metal (early 70's, later 70's that had some plastic gears). Strong, reliable and mechanically simple. Singers bug me. They had odd bobbins and the early zig-zag mechanisms I didn't like. It's my goto machine for anything that needs zig-zag.
My second favorite brand is Juki.
I totally feel you on Singers, I'm not a huge fan myself. Those side loading bobbins make me want to pull the rest of my hair out...
I know it's WAY more expensive than a good cheap machine, but I got the cheapest computerized sewing/embroidering machine from a major brand I could find (Got a Brother SE625 for $280 when it was on clearance/discontinued at Walmart. All the 600 series machines are the same but the included media is different, mine came on a CD! but there's a USB port so you can run any design. Saved me $100 or more shopping around) and I LOVE it. Only problem is it will break your thread, so I usually run some pretty strong stuff. Also took a bit of getting used to with all the technology and touch screen lol Not what I was used to.
Thats an AWESOME find!! And whats great about that is even though it was a bit of an investment up front you won't ever need to buy another machine for the rest of your life (knock on wood haha).
Nice Video! However, you can get TONS of accessories for older Kenmores. Parts are cheap and abundant. Sears outsourced everything, and their sewing machines were made by other manufacturerurs from White, to Maruzen, Soryu and Janome as rebranded models. In fact, Kenmore still spec'd metal gears for a few years after Singer had gone to plastic- making the Kenmore 158. and 148. models are pretty robust compared to other domestic models of the same era. These are great finds if you can find some of the "Made in Japan" models.
Same. Like me early Japanese kenmores
Very good points! I should have used a different example other than Kenmore, they were just the first one to pop into my head for some reason.
Great info. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
One of my sewing machines of choice is the Singer Izek (has an interesting gimmick.) The one I have is partly discolored, and the pedal jack malfunctioned. While thankfully, it has push button operation, trying to order a new pedal jack found me with a site that has the part listed, only for them to cancel the order several times.
That sounds super frustrating! Where you able to find the part anywhere else?
@@StylishDTailors word is the Singer Futura uses the same pedal jack, but I haven’t had the chance to thoroughly compare. In the meantime, while I prefer having control with the food pedal, push button sewing has been a nice change. If you want an idea about it, Elliot Coll did a few videos on the Gameboy sewing machine (I have the earlier, less advanced model.)
I managed to find a fancy 70s hd machine that had all the accessories for like $10, though the feed dog drive clamp thing was broken. One ziptie later and I was off to the races. Steals are out there, keep your eyes open.
That's awesome!! How has it been holding up otherwise? Pretty solid?
I need to retighten the ziptie occasionally, and the clutch needs adjusted, but it's a trooper. Eventually I'll get some jbweld and fix the cracked casting, but I've done a few big projects on it as is.
Kenmore never made sewing machines. Those "Kenmore" machines were farmed out to other manufacturers like White and Singer (rebadged). Yes, you can still find attachments and presser feet for these machines. I have a 1972 White (Kenmore) and have never had any problems finding attachments.
Nice thanks for sharing and clarifying! I appreciate it!
they never rebranded Singer machines, as they were their largest competitor. Rather, they farmed out to Japanese (and some German) manufacturers, the early ones making Singer 'clones'. The main manufacturers for Kenmores were: White, Soryu, Maruzen, Janome, Riccar, Necchi and one Gritzner Kaiser.
I'm looking to buy my first sewing machine, but I have to be completely sure it can handle denim and flannel. Any tips on how to verify if a machine can handle tougher tasks, without it being labeled ST or Heavy Duty? Thanks!
Most definitely, to be honest MOST sewing machines at the upper range around $80 can handle denim no problem. And most definitely flannel. Now they would go through denim like butter or anything but it will for sure get the job done. For instance Brother's LX and XM models are very reasonably priced even brand new (Walmart carries the XM models for like $80 new) and they will handle what you need no problem.
@@StylishDTailors Thanks, SD!
The needle you choose might be a consideration for sewing denim as well