Thursday, April 26, 2012

Vintage Kenmore

For quite a few years I have been using my moms old Kenmore sewing machine cabinet as an end table in my living room. I love the color and the inlaid wood areas. There is an old sewing machine in there also. I learned to sew a little on it in the 50's and 60's. My mom only used it for mending and maybe a couple of items of clothing. I do remember her making me a rust colored corduroy doll coat with a big white collar for my Tiny Tears doll. Oh, how I wish I had that coat today.
My mom was very meticulous about details and recorded everything in the instruction booklet. In fountain pen ink, of course!
I threaded the machine (with help from the booklet) and was able to put the bobbin in the vertical bobbin holder and actually stitched a little. I remember there was always tension problems. It sounds really "rough" and I am sure could use some oil. The manual shows LOTS of areas to oil unlike our modern machines. I love the inlaid wood areas in front....that's why it's in an area that I can look at it all the time.


 

14 comments:

StitchinByTheLake said...

Sandy I have a wonderful blog friend named Michelle at http://lifewithlou.blogspot.com/ who collects old machines and gives them new life just because she loves them. She is wonderful to ask for advice - I bet she could tell you how to get that machine sounding like new and maybe even tell you how to fix the tension problems. And she'd love to - she's that kind of person. blessings, marlene

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Wonderful heirloom! I can't see the new machine holding up for those many years!

Tudy said...

Very beautiful. And not made of plastic like the new ones. I bet it is very heavy too.

Jennifer said...

Oh, what a gorgeous machine and also a lovely piece of furniture. Those old mechanical machines went forever.....I bet it's take much tweaking to get it going again.

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a sweet little treasure.

Linda said...

Anyone can buy an antique sewing machine, but to have one of your Mom's in such great shape is a treasure! How Lucky you are!

Vintage Sandy said...

My mom had one like that also wish I had it now!!

Carrie P. said...

wow, what a neat little treasure you have. Love that your mom kept such great records.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a neat sewing machine, I bet if you cleaned and oiled it, it would work great! I sew on a 1951 singer all the time!

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Abby and Stephanie said...

It's a beauty! My mom has her Singer machine and the seat and cabinet she got in the 50s and she has my grandmother's machine and cabinet as well.

Michelle said...

That's a gorgeous machine! I can't remember ever seeing one like it.

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a treasure to have Sandy! blessings, marlene

Clipping Path said...

Lovely blog. Thanks for sharing with us.