{ vintage } meet Kennie.
July 21, 2010
Don't mind me.
I've been geeking out about my newest toy.
A vintage Kenmore 158-10400.(Circa 1950s-1960s, from what I can tell). Complete with some original tools and bobbins and attachments I haven't even seen before. Do you recognize that needle shank attachment on the left in the photo below? Is that even the right name for that little gadget?
I started looking for a portable machine a month ago when I was trying to consider the logistics on my September trip to Seattle for the Dottie Angel Workshop. (Our supply list includes, among other things, a sewing machine, a stool, full-length slips and crocheted doilies. I simply cannot wait for my date with TSA security.)
My current machine is fairly large and heavy and I was trying to figure out how to take her. Use a super big suitcase and cushion her with my fabric supplies? Do I trust those baggage handlers to not toss her or squish her under everyone else's luggage? Do I try to carry-on in a new case? Will it fit above or below?? No and no, most likely. I was stressing out just a little.
I had been researching a portable vintage Singer Featherweight, everyone's go-to portable workhorse. However,I wasn't ready to fork over the $250 it looked like I would have to part with. I did find one on Craigslist for $125 and then waited too long to call. Bummer.
Fortunately, I came across this Kenmore at a local Thrift in the nick of time.
After a bit of online research, I found a yahoo group dedicated to vintage Kenmores, and now I've got a super resource for information as well. One of the members was even kind enough to send me a PDF manual, which has been immensely helpful! I should have enough weeks to get her cleaned up (although she looks recently serviced) and ready to roll.
It's exciting and scares me a little.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to cozy up with some light technical reading. :)
I told you I was geeking out.
xo,
Chris
Oh that's way too cool! My first sewing machine was a Kenmore (1990 I think). I bought it because it was sturdy and did a nice applique stitch and had a button hole foot. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I had been using my mom's old singer that only did a straight stitch. When I advanced to a couple of new machines (one Janome and one Brother monogramming machine) I could NOT part with the Kenmore. My daughter did finally take it to her house but it is still "in the family" and still a great machine. Enjoy your new toy!
Posted by: Patty | July 21, 2010 at 12:54 PM
That is the cutest baby! those little machines are so handy, I was fortunate enought recently to purchase a smally Singer, Not the featherweight, but she was made the same year that I was born had to have it, was meant to be. Enjoy
Posted by: Ellena | July 21, 2010 at 01:42 PM
you're so lucky! i still don't know what i'm going to do with the whole sewing maching situation...we need to talk :)
Posted by: beki | July 21, 2010 at 02:55 PM
What a cute machine!
Have so much fun in Seattle. I grew up nearby -- love that town!
Posted by: nikko | July 21, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Oh, have fun!!! Maybe you could mail your supplies to Dottie Angel Workshop, thereby omitting the whole airport tangle thing? Your things would be there when you arrive.
Enjoy your new/vintage machine. :)
Posted by: mary | July 22, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Hi there, would you post the site for vintage Kenmores? I have one and when I lent it out, all the cams were lost. That should teach me, huh? But the machine is so good that I can't give it away.
Posted by: Pat Sieler | July 22, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Sure, Pat: here you go!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagekenmoressew/
Posted by: chris carleton | July 22, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Let me know if you figure out that foot thingy, I have one for my old Singer and I can't figure out what it is for.
Posted by: Liz Taylor | July 22, 2010 at 09:04 PM
Thank for the info on the Kenmore Group. I have signed up and Now I get to search for the
cams. I need a back up sewing machine and this one will be it.
Thanks again. I don enjoy your site and seeing photos of your beautiful girls.
Posted by: Pat Sieler | July 23, 2010 at 03:33 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: :o) mg | July 24, 2010 at 03:43 PM
It's an attachment for edgestiching. I have a Kenmore from 1972 that I inherited from my aunt. It has a bunch of random attachment feet. Here is a link to how to use them: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/0215/
I happened across your blog today looking for a cute tulle skirt that wasn't a knotted tutu. I love your blog so far!
Posted by: Rachel | August 03, 2010 at 08:47 PM
THANK YOU, Rachel!!! What a doll you are to find that link for me. :) Thanks for visiting! xoxo
Posted by: chris carleton | August 03, 2010 at 09:25 PM