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| Kenmore:1690 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 512 time(s) | | Review rated Very Helpful by 4 people | | Reviewed by: | MissFit | 
| About MissFit | | NY | | Member since: 6/25/08 | | Reviews written: 18 | | Sewing skills:Advanced Beginner | | Favored by: 1 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 3 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 11/21/09 10:01 PM | | Had this machine for: | 5 years | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Drop-In bobbin
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
| | What MissFit likes about this machine
I was given this machine from my next door neighbor when she found out that I wanted my own sewing machine (I had been using my moms). I have since bought a new fancy machine with more bells and whistles but still have a soft spot in my heart for this one. After being neglected for about five years in the basement all it needed was a good cleaning and oiling and it was up and running. This is the machine that I learned on, during the hot summer in the sun-room sweating and sewing.
It was an old machine when I got it and because of such it does have its little quirks. The bobbin doesn't wind properly with out a little bit of guidance of a finger. But on to the things I love... this will go through anything! I have sewn corsets and quilted armor on this monster. It it heavy, ALL metal, there is no shaking or vibrating while sewing even at high speeds. There is NO lag between pressing down on the foot control and going unlike on my newer machines also no annoying extra stitches when I stop. The drop-in bobbin is super easy to clean and load. There is a button to press on the bed that allows for the back to flip up or be removed and exposes the free arm.
It has just enough stitches for me, some straight stitches, some stretch and a few decorative ones. The stitch length and width are changed by dials on the front of the machine. There is a reverse lever that you have to hold down to sew in reverse and then release to sew forward again. This may be troublesome for some people... I guess if you sew in reverse a lot. I usually just use it for tacking the beginning and end of my stitching, so I have yet to have a problem with it. You select stitches based on the color code, the stitches are shown in a color on the front of the machine and then you adjust the dial to that color dot and then very the length and such with another dial. Even with out the auto threader I have never had a problem getting her threaded, I think the needle is easy to see on the machine. There is a presser foot pressure regulator that you press down to exert more pressure and release for less. The presser feet are the same type as for all of the other Kenmore's of this era. The presser feet attach with a small lever on the back of the needle bar area thing... it's a little hard to describe, I'll try and get a picture. Lastly, I like that it takes the metal class 15 bobbins that you can find anywhere for cheep.
I was at a cotton theory class when my Viking decided to have a melt down and mini-stroke (apparently it just wanted a car ride, I could have cried when it started working fine at the repair shop when they plugged it in) I went home and came back with my old sturdy and trusty Kenmore. It plowed through everything, even without the walking foot, with out complaint. This just reminds me of why we should not just "upgrade" and leave our old trusted companions to the basement or back of the closet.
It looks something like this http://www.jamesriser.com/Sewing/Kenmore0862sm.jpg
But mine has a few more stitches What MissFit does not like about this machine
I don't like the lack of feed dog drop. Also if you are trying to sew something fine it can get sucked down into the machine, maybe I need a straight stitch plate (I honestly don't even know if they make one) Lastly, there is a carrying case that it came in that for some reason I just don't really like. However if you just have the machine sitting on the table you have to have it shimmed properly or it tips. It doesn't have the fancy bells and whistles, like needle threader and needle up and down settings, but I love it anyways. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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| Reader Comments | | johnr55 | 11/22/09 | I didn't know any of the Kenmore machines-the older ones, anyway-did not have drop dogs. I have made my own straight stitch plate out of a piece of thin sturdy plastic, cut to eliminate the zz part of the hole. Not necessarily pretty, but it works! | | * * * | | zanylady | 11/22/09 | If you are sewing a very fine fabric, try putting tissue paper under the fabric, that often stops the material from being sucked into the machine.
I buy, refurbish and sell old sewing machines. They are a joy to work with, can almost always be fixed and will do what they were designed to do and do it quite well. | | * * * |
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