I'm sorry to hear that. I bought my first sewing machine in 1972. A Kenmore with cams for fancy stitches. I made all my clothes for a decade, so that machine was used constantly. It is a real work horse! As Rita said, it weighs a ton. I use it from time to time and it still sews beautifully. It has never met a repairman! After 40 years, it's still a wonderful machine.

When I started quilting in 2002, I decided I was due for a new machine, and got a high-end Kenmore (made by Janome). I was retired and addicted to quilting so I really gave it a workout (until I got my new Janome 6600 last year). It has had routine servicing three times, and is still like a new machine.

My father worked for Sears for 35 years until his retirement, so we got everything from Sears, and Kenmore was a name we trusted. The "Satisfaction Guaranteed" mantra meant just that, and their products were dependable. My Kenmore washer and dryer will be 29 years old in October--and have never needed servicing! But I would be reluctant to buy Kenmore products now; since their takeover by K-Mart, their product line seems to have deteriorated. It's a shame, and it's like losing a trusted friend.

Ritaweeda, that's a funny story. Your DH violated the first law of spousal gift giving - never buy her something that plugs in. Sounds as if you were eventually pleased with it though.

It's always sad when a revered old product name is retired, or worse yet, when it's sold to a company that makes an inferior product. This has happened often in the tool industry too. I wish I had a solution for you.

Rita, my mom has a Kenmore that's probably early 60s vintage...it has cams you put in to do decorative stitches!

My first new machine was also a Kenmore.

Donna

My old 60s Kenmore is still my go-to for hemming pants, etc. My quilting machines and Featherweights don't do zig-zag. Sometimes you just need that.

You can still get parts for them, though. I just replaced a broken part through the parts department so I'll keep it going as long as I can.

My mother had a Singer when I was growing up and it lasted forever. A lady gave my granddaughter a Singer and it was a piece of junk. I had to order the lost manual to figure out how to thread it!!

I bought a Kenmore and I haven't really used it, it's still in the box in my closet. I need to rearrange my small sewing room and use it.
Rosa

A friend of mine was at a Sears liquidation center here in Ontario a month or so ago and bought a bunch of Kenmore sewing machine feet for .99 each. She got 1/4 feet and walking feet among others. We wondered why they were so cheap and now we know! She has a Janome machine so they fit. She bought all they had figuring she has enough friends with Kenmore and Janome machines that somebody will need them.

Tuppermom, that is a great deal, 99 cents for sewing machine feet. How considerate of your friend to buy extras for people who may need them!

I went over to show my friend how to use his Kenmore machine. When I got there, he'd taken the entire race assembly apart and had it laying in pieces on the table. I asked why and he said that was how he thought you were supposed to take the bobbin out! I chuckled! He also got some machine quilting thread to hem pants with and was trying to thread the bobbin thread through the eye of the needle when I arrived, he just couldn't wait to play with is new machine! The machine was in really good shape... it was a little loud and needed to be oiled, but it sewed perfectly from the start. He picked up quickly on everything I taught him the first try.... he really listened and when he sewed, he sewed a perfectly straight line the first time. I couldn't believe he'd never even touched a sewing machine before (but then I remembered the race assembly laying there on the dining room table in pieces :o) I have other friends who have to call me just to turn their machines on and if the bobbin runs out or they need to change colors, I have to pay a visit and do it for them. Anyway, my neighbor already hemmed 15 pants after my little lesson! He said that he doesn't think it's fun or relaxing to sew though, and he's only going to do it for practical reasons and not as a hobby.... I told him to never sew over pins and to never touch the tension dial, not to even look at it cross eyed!

Anyway, that's how it went... just wanted to conclude the story!

Thanks for sharing this! I always enjoy your posts and your stories. I can't imagine how much you wanted to laugh when you saw all those parts on the table!!! He's lucky he had someone there who knew how to put it all back together.

Kate

Presently, I have 3 Kenmores, the oldest from 1956 and they are all sewing perfectly..I mostly just quilt and can machine quilt a king size using one of them..Hubby keeps telling me to get rid of them and get a new machine but when I see the garbage that is out there now, I'll hang onto my 3 babies....That's a shame about the Kenmores.....

I found this post and thought how strange. I just purchased a Kenmore Sewing Machine at Sears. A fully computerized one and they are still made my Janome. I have heard great things about them. It must have been a particular store that stopped stocking them which I find surprising. I am in Canada and find the Kenmore products are very good.

Travelmom, I think they are still available in Canada and not the US... this discussion came up the other day at my quilt group and all the ladies there said that Kenmore machines in the US have been discontinued... I'm not sure if Canada will eventually follow in the footsteps of the US stores or not...

Nostalgic reading this thread, Sears used to be the place to go for any household appliance or tool, not anymore.
V.

I have 2 Kenmore sewing machines. They were bought in the 80's. One is mine the other was my sister's. They both run great, I sew on one all the time. I have made several queen size quilts with it.

Help - Vacumn Freak - I have a Kenmore Ergo3 Elite Model #385.19010200- the cross between sewing and embroidery machine - had it for 10 years... paid $3000 for my machine and now the touch screen is cracked and will not work. Cannot find one anywhere .... might you know any of the ole' repair persons that may have one stuck in a corner ????? Help!

Have you tried contacting Sears Parts - Chat?
They should be able to help. You may have to ship it but that would be less expensive than a new machine.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com

I am so saddened by this! I just went looking for a kenmore because its all I have ever had! 7 kids and two machines later I now need a new KENMORE. I am at a loss. Singers are JUNK.

That is so sad. My first machine was a Kenmore, 1974, still have it! Dad worked at Sears, so got it on sale and employee discount - my birthday and confirmation gift that year. Dad brought me to his store and the woman in the sewing dept showed me all the neat things I could do with my machine. I loved using it, a real workhorse, all metal. Still use it along with my Bernina 830E. Sears used to sell fabric too.

Check on your machines before giving up. They should have a 25 year warranty. Check with manufacturer. i bought mine in 2000 and it has a 25 year warranty. I bought it from Sears and it was made by Janome.