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| Kenmore:158.1212180 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 735 time(s) | | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 14 people | | Reviewed by: | Peter in NYC | 
 | About Peter in NYC | | NY USA | | Member since: 6/9/09 | | Reviews written: 20 | | Sewing skills:Advanced Beginner | | Favored by: 30 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 4 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 8/13/09 6:19 PM | | Approx price paid: | $89 | | Had this machine for: | 2.5 months | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
| | What Peter in NYC likes about this machine
This last June I was looking to buy my very first sewing machine but I knew nothing about what to look for. After doing some research online and reading various sewing blogs, I realized that rather than spend a few hundred dollars on something brand new, I could spend less than half that and get a machine of much higher quality by purchasing a vintage machine. Many bloggers had very positive things to say about Kenmores, particularly the 158 series which, I believe, were produced from the 60s through the early 80s, primarily in Japan.
I looked around on my local NYC Craigslist and on eBay, and finally settled on my current machine, one of the last of the 158 series (this one made in Taiwan). I was drawn to it because the seller included a YouTube video in her posting. I could actually watch her use the machine on a wide variety of fabrics and hear the motor run, as well as listen to the seller discuss the benefits of Kenmore machines. Confident in my choice, I clicked the "Buy it Now" button and as they say, the rest is history. (I should mention that the seller had extremely positive eBay feedback and specialized in selling old sewing machines, so I was confident she would know how to pack and ship it.) My machine arrived safe and sound about a week later, very well packed.
My Kenmore is a powerful, straightforward machine. She's a straight stitch and zig zag model only, nothing fancy. If you turn the stitch width dial from 0-4 and back again while you sew you can actually approximate embroidery, but I never tried that on a sewing project. I am using the machine primarily to make men's garments only, so I don't need fancy stitches.
My Kenmore runs very quietly and has a very strong 1 amp motor. Tension has not been a problem at all, even when switching between different kinds of fabric. I was grateful to have a simple machine because I was starting from zero -- I had never even threaded a sewing machine. Anything more complicated probably would have discouraged me.
In retrospect, I could have found a machine like this on eBay for less money, but at the time I knew nothing about what to look for and was very impressed by what I saw in the demo video. Plus I didn't want to wait. Sometimes I'm a sucker for a "Buy It Now" option!
The machine came with a zig zag foot and a photocopy of the manual, plus a Kenmore buttonholer, which I have come to greatly appreciate. Oh yeah, and a few extra bobbins.
What Peter in NYC does not like about this machine
There is nothing I don't like about my machine: she's easy to use and very reliable. I do wish her feed dogs dropped but that's not a feature on this model. The seller was able to send me a face plate cover later, free of charge, when I inquired about one. (Otherwise I wouldn't be able to us the buttonholer or attach buttons. I've been making shirts a lot lately so I am glad to have it!)
I also would have liked adjustable needle position, but again, this wasn't a feature I even knew existed. Since buying the Kenmore, I have added two additional machines, vintage Necchis, to my stable of sewing machines (I'm rather obsessed!) both of which have this feature, among many others. So I have my bases covered. (AND I have a secondhand Viking serger in transit!)
If I had it to do all over again, I'd probably opt for a Kenmore in the 158 series that had these two features, as I believe many do. But all in all I think I made a wise choice. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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| Reader Comments | | Peter in NYC | 8/13/09 | Forgot to mention: I have a photo gallery of this machine at http://picasaweb.google.com/PeterLappinNYC/Kenmore1581212# | | * * * | | BrianSews | 8/13/09 | That machine is a real work horse. I have a friend who makes costumes for a theater company, wedding dresses, and dolls who won't be without her Kenmore of the same model. Good buy! | | * * * | | Mufffet | 8/13/09 | Excellent review. I think I have followed the listings of the vendor you purchased from. She has some very nice machines. Very tempting! I am so glad you bought an old machine and have given it a new purpose and hopefully a long and useful life. | | * * * | | jilly cooper | 8/13/09 | You gotta love the vintage/older machines. Nice of the seller to do the YouTube video. Sounds like you did a very sensible thing with all the research and getting a machine that does all the basics - very well. $89 is a small price for a machine that is reliable and doesn't give you any frustrations. Happy sewing:) | | * * * | | Rebecca Szetela | 8/14/09 | Great review and a very nice-looking machine for the price. I love the older machines. It looks like you got a very clean machine. Congratulations! | | * * * | | sambient | 8/14/09 | Your review is a joy to read. It's clear you made a good choice. | | * * * | | Pigeon55 | 8/14/09 | Congratulations on your new adventure. It is exciting to hear from new recruits to the wonderful world of home sewing. We spend so much time in our homes, to find a retreat to remove the stress of day to day will help you livelonger. I’ve been sewing for over 45 years, and I will keep going until I can’t see or set up to the machine. I've been looking at purchasing a machine to expand my projects, so I'm reading the reviews. I’m looking at an embroidery machine, but when I saw the model, I could not resist reading your review. Only caution I can give you, if you get bit bad enough by this sewing bug, be prepared to spend some bucks if you want the latest technology. It is big sticker shock over the $89 first machine. My suggestion if you want a few more stitches to sew some button holes, or put in a blind hem etc, look at a Bernina 800 ser. Machine. These were mfg in the 80's if I remember right. They are built to last two life times. The stitching cannot be beat by any machine out there. Change your needle often, and invest in the best thread and fabric, you are worth it. Have fun!! | | * * * | | sewme47 | 8/14/09 | Peter, I'm feeling all nostalgic...this model was the first sewing machine I owned. I bought it myself with my babysitting earnings! I used it for many years and sewed everything from down jackets (does anyone remember Frost Line Kits?) to my wedding dress, baby quilts, and christening gowns. It gave me 15 years of trouble free sewing, then I traded it in for my first computerized machine. Thanks for the walk down memory lane and congratulations on finding a wonderful sewing machine!!! | | * * * | | Franksdottir | 8/14/09 | I think you got a bargain, frankly. You got exactly what you wanted when you wanted it, your machine arrived well-packed and the seller is honorable and helpful. We should all be so lucky. I hope you have lots of fun sewing on her. | | * * * | | beadnut | 9/30/09 | Peter, I met you at the Novi Show last Fri. Nice review and great sewing on the clothes. Do you know what company made your Kenmore? (I'm the lold lady with all the sewing machines.) | | * * * | | judymroz | 10/1/09 | I have had a Kenmore for over 35 years and I just checked and yes it is a series 158. I love my machine and have refused to get a new one because this machine is so darned easy to use. I bought it at the recommendation of the home-ec teacher in the high school where I taught in the early 1970's. Little did I know I had one of the classics. I often see these gems for sale at estate sales. I am antique dealer so I go to a lot of these. So if you are at an estate sale, lift the machine from the front and look under it and there is an id plate with the model number under it. Mine is 158.14101. | | * * * | | ryan's mom | 10/14/09 | All right, now I'm very excited about a Kenmore I had tuned up, a close cousin to this I think--158.13170. I simply want a workhorse that can sew through really thick fabric that my Janome kind of balks at. | | * * * |
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