I have 2 1970's era Kenmore machines. Both are real workhorses. One I bought at a church rummage sale for $10 about 20 years ago. The other one I purchased a few months ago for $20 from a Facebook garage sale page. I have bought one for my daughter at a thrift store for similar pricing. I won't buy one if it looks beat up. And do make sure the handwheel turns, the needle goes up and down and that the cord and foot pedal are included. they can be pricey to replace.

I think the 1970ish Kenmores are well built.

Barb, sorry to hear about you sewing machine letting you down. I love older sewing machines (for the most part, although I dew have a few newer ones). You've gotten some good suggestions. I like working on and using the older all metal machines and you can find some good buys and can pretty much clean and lubricate them yourself.

What sort of sewing will you want it for? Quilting (piecing), me ding, home dec, sewing clothing? For piecing quilts, I think a simple straight stitch, is best.

The older (vintage) all metal sewing machines can just keep on trucking. You'll want to look over the wiring to be sure it's not cracked or frayed -- a lot of the old black enamel Singers and others over 45 or so years old might need wiring. A good many of the metal Kenmores from the mid seventies seem less in need of wiring.

One drawback to the old metal machines is that they can be heavy and so keep this in mind if you think you want to be taking the machine here and there.

sewing cabinet or portable in case?

Thanks for the comments. Everybody talks about their wonderful thrift stores. The only thing we have in this small town in the Goodwill but they never seem to have anything I am interested in. I think there are people who stake out these thrift stores every day before most of us have a chance. I'll keep looking, and I have some friends who go to auctions all the time, and they will keep an eye out also. Barb

I have an older, probably 80's, Kenmore and it is a workhorse of a machine. I took it to a guy years ago and he said to hang onto it because it was one of the better ones. No plastic in it like nowadays. I also have 2 new Singer machine and they seem to do well for me.

Barb, you sound frustrated. Don't get down, there are a lot of really good deals out there on fine sewing machines. I just typed out a long note, but lost it when I forgot to save before going to my Profile page to add some photos (I cannot seem to directly upload them to a comment -- anyone know why? I have to first put them on the profile page. grrrr. I don't want to leave them there for more than a day or so.)

Sure, people try to make ends meet by finding bargains at thrift stores. YOU can be one of those people ;) I've gotten lucky. I have a lot of machines that I love to fix up and use. I find some through friends (put the word out!), and Craigslist (CL). I just got a nice Kenmore all metal that was an older ad and I offered less.

I am one of those people who like to sew and also to fix things up (within reason). I asked you some questions above, if you care to answer them, even to yourself, it will help you save time and money in finding yourself a nice little sewing machine. There are all types of sewing machines, so it's worth giving this some thought. If you let me know your general geographical area, I bet I can find some good candidate machines for you. I enjoy hooking people up with good deals and good machines.

So think about if you're the fix it (clean, lubricate, adjust tension if needed) type of person, many people just want to sew and have no interest in fooling around with a machine. There are still great deals out there and you can find a good sewing machine repair place to do the fussing for you. Most of the machines I get only need dusting, oiling and a wee bit of fiddling.

A free-arm is handy. A zig-zag is handy.

You can learn a lot online by just reading blogs, reviews and so on. User feedback is invaluable. If you just want a fairly inexpensive, light weight, portable sewing machine and don't need to sew through thick layers, a lot of people like the Brother 6000i.

Keep the faith and get stitchin', Barb.

Above is a nice Elna 6005 Heirloom Edition. I got this a great price because I was willing to take a little trip over hill and dale. It's an electronic (computerized) machine that will do some fancy stitches and even lettering. The price was so good and the machine looked pristine and well cared for. The family didn't want it, was given to them, and I didn't even test it other than see that "the needle went up and down".
Above is a sweet little all metal WHITE brand straight stitch only machine with a "scrolled" faceplate. $24 and in a case and in nice shape. I drove 50 mins one way to get it. Did not bother to test it. Why? Because these things just go and go and go. What's to not work? And it can be fixed easily if something like a belt needs to be replaced. Isn't she pretty? Good thing I rushed to get it. While there the seller had 3 other calls asking about it. He said, "Guess I priced it too low." All it needed was to get warmed up (it was in a garage, he'd just gotten it from a clean out job), dusted, lubricated. It probably weighs about 28 pounds, but if I need to trek it anyplace, that is what suitcase dollies are for.
Above and immediately below: Singer 66 Redhead (aka Redeye), non-electric for treadle only. It cost my friend $5 (what she offered, person was moving) and a car trip. It was frozen solid. It took me some few days to get it freed up and cleaned (got to be careful what you use so that you preserve the lovely stencils. Mostly just sewing machine oil and very gentle touch and lots of patience. It runs very smoothly now and is just gorgeous.
Above is the scrolled face plate of the Singer 66 after clean up.

This is a little portable Kenmore 12 Stitch "convertible" I picked up for a good price an a nice 50 minute drive one way. I think it came with a case, but nothing else. Just sewing machine, the part of the table to make it a flat bed, case, presser foot, controller and plug. No manual. No accessories. Typical for online ads or newspaper or yard sales. I usually don't need a manual, and most of what it's missing one can find online. If you don't want to clean, lubricate, find parts, then you can buy one for a good price that someone else has bothered to fix up. This machine is a low shank (easy to find extra feet for, like zipper foot, hemmer) and has a few built in utility stitches.
Above is a machine I found for FREE & a car trip two towns away. The guys house reeked of cigarette smoke. He was moving. Machine was a tad dusty. I cleaned it up. It came in a junky but functional table. Too bad the timing is off -- the stitches won't form. There are ways to address this and YouTube can be your friend. The way I look at it, for the most part, is that if other humans can get it running, I probably can figure it out too if I want to bother. I think I'm going to try to fix the timing then give it to a young mother who works dogs and cats. She can make them toys, coats, fix leashes, and mend her children's clothing. The machine is mostly metal with some plastic. Probably weighs 25 to 30 pounds.
Above is a nice little Singer 99 that only does a *very nice* straight stitch. No reverse, but there are tricks to doing a 'tack' stitch to keep the thread locked. This a 3/4 sized sewing machine. All metal, easy peasy to work on and find parts for. Reasonable price plus a morning car trip of 30 miles. Someone doing piecing for quilts would enjoy this sort of sewing machine. There are a lot of them out there. They purr along when lubricated and are handsome to behold.
This is a nice straight stitch all metal vintage sewing machine. Typical of CL the seller didn't know what it was, just wanted to get rid of it. He didn't know the model number. Sometimes people price things as though they belonged to Queen Victoria. Or they take a photo of the back of the sewing machine, or give the model number for the motor. But I recognized it. Know what it is?

GREAT post, starsplitter! "This is a little portable Kenmore 12 Stitch "convertible" I picked up..." I was just in a Junque Shop today and saw this very machine with all parts (no extras) and everything worked. Was a little bound up due to lack of oil, but an easy fix. $25!!!

I have two like this so I passed.

For those that are looking at used machines, be sure and check that the zig zag works if it is supposed to have it and, if the "mending zigzag" is important to you look for that, too. I've bought machines that would z-z but the mending z-z did not work. I've also bought ones that needed to be timed, (I can do that.), needed new belts and one that rattles because the belt cover on the end is cracked. Will take one from another that is in worse repair and fix that.

Just found out how to replace a belt by googling it. Easy peasy.

I think someone asked above to let us know in what general area you live in. That info may help get you your "new" vintage machine sooner rather than later.

Yes, Barb, I agree with thonotorose. I love to look & do it often. Might as well have our collective eyes scouting for you. Even if you live in Outer Zigstitchistan, there's a great machine trying to find you.

Thanks for all the help. I have asked others to help me and will put an ad in the paper. I live in north central Indiana. I am hampered by the fact that I have rheumatoid arthritis and was shocked the other day when I had all kinds of trouble putting in a hem by hand in a pair of slacks. Fingers just didn't handle the needle and pins right. Barb

I know what you mean by fingers and Arthir. Ouch. FYI, I went to Craigs list Indiana and saw four or five likely Kenmores (my favs). Some were $75 and others more, but I think one was $40. Take your can of oil when you go and make sure that all the features are working, so you won't be frustrated by your purchase. I leaned this from experience!

Since I have such good luck finding these terrific old machines, I am adverse to spending more than $40. I did spend $75.00 recently for one with all the cams and attachments. Good luck and let us know...

Just a hint from someone who bought a used machine from an individual recently via Craigslist.org. The machine is a Singer 758 Touch and Sew in a small, inexpensive cabinet that was the worst for wear. (I already had a portable Touch and Sew identical to it.) I paid $49.00 for it. They had the machine set up and plugged in with the light on. It was threaded and a piece of fabric was setting next to it that had a line of stitching on it. I didn't even test the machine. I just paid and left.

When I got home, I oiled and cleaned my 778 and then went to the 758. It wouldn't pull the fabric through. I knew immediately what the problem was, as I had just encountered a disintegrating set of feed dogs on my 778. The part was $1.99 + postage and took about 10 minutes to replace.

I might have gotten it cheaper. I might not have bought it, because I would not have known the feed dogs were the problem. It's just a story I thought I might pass along.

bk

Barb, any machine yet?

If you have arthritis in your hands, and if you have trouble grasping things or using your thumb and forefinger, you might want toooo for a machine that is lightweight and which has a needle threader. Maybe a hefty old all metal vintage sewing machine would be hard on your joints unless you had it set up in a table.

There are some good plastic ones. They won't last as long as an old metal one, but if cared for, should last a while. Some of these aren't particulay good at sewing things like thick layers of fabric, denim seams or poly fleece, but are fine for medium weight fabrics.

Here's a CL listing in Indianapolis for a Janome. It's used and I'm not sure it's a ailable any longer. I _think_ it's got an automatic/assisted needle threader (check that it operates).

This model sewing machine _was_ sold for I think a "sale" price for less than this seller is asking. You can look online for reviews and such. You can always offer less. Ask to see any service records. Take a new needle, thread, and some fabrics like the ones you plan to use. Then you can properly test the machine.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/for/5421670068.html

One that same area http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/sss then enter SEWING MACHINE

There is a nice looking portable Kenmore convertible (has a free arm) for $50. That's a decent price if its in good running condition.

The thing with many of the newer plastic machines, is they ARE lighter in weight, so are easier to move and sometimes have features like an automatic threading gizmo

However, don't drop it, snag the power cord and cause the machine to be pulled onto the floor (fairly common), and mind it's limitations. You cannot usually "fix" these yourself, but it doesn't look like you're into that level of fiddling around.

often, be ause these machines haven't e features, there is a bit of a learning curve compared the the simple straight stitch or ZZ machimes.

Do you still have the Kenmore embroidery machine? Tell us the model number and perhaps someone can give you some help. Did it sew as well as embroider. The model nber wiill be something like 385. ______.

Bkay, good that you found a machine that you liked and were able to fix it.

I just looked to see if anything new. Here is a heavy metal, probably solid) "beast" if you're looking for solid vintage candidates. Cool too ;). But I bet it weighs 35 pounds. They claim that it's been tuned up and runs well. Test it and be sure that ALL the wiring is intact, not frayed, cracked or brittle.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/hsh/5430554681.html

Look on E-bay for some nearly new machines in great shape. Some are listed by dealers who took them in trade for a newer machine.