nkcdee
Member since 8/23/08
Posts: 5 |
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Date: 11/16/08 11:36 AM After a 10 year or so hiatus from sewing I started making purses and home decor items about 6 months ago. I'm currently sewing on a Riccar 1570. It's a workhorse. It goes through the layers on an Amy Butler creation with little problem. The stitch isn't beautiful but it's good. What it does straight stitch, zig zag; it does well. (I don't have to mess with it, just sit and sew, unlike the Singer that made me quit sewing.) The machine was given to me by a friend who picked it up used a few years back and never really used it. It has no extra feet. I bought a cheap zipper foot for it because putting in zippers and doing cording without one was beyond my skill level.
For the last six months I have lusted after new machines. After much research I fixated on Kenmore's. They appear to offer a lot of bang for the buck. I have never sewn on a Kemore but have test ran a Janome. In particular I drool over the Kenmore 19606. The machine is being discontinued. It is no longer offered on the Sears web site. It is marked down at my local Sears store to $499. Tonight is Friends and Family night with a 10% discount. The discount is suppose to apply to the extended warranty too. My question to you all is does anyone have experience with Sears dealing with a warranty on a product that is being discontinued? I understand they can fix it if fixable but what happens if it can't be fixed? I really want this machine but 1, I don't really NEED it. I'd like to start quilting after the first of the year but know that could be done on what I have or a less expensive model. 2, I have a hard time justifying the expense with the uncertainty of the economy. I know there is no guarantees in the world but if I thought this machine would get me through the next 10 years or so and help me expand my sewing abilities I would feel better about the situation. Help, please? |
dokfred
Member since 8/25/07
Posts: 16 |
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Date: 11/16/08 1:43 PM My daughter has enjoyed sewing on a computerized Janome made Kenmore 385.1915 for the past decade. The computer on the sewing machine has served her well. New belts for the sewing machine were ordered on-line this year and installed easily. She has pieced and quilted many quilts on the Kenmore with stunning results. I think once you have started quilting and you see what is involved in quilting, good is not good enough. I encourage you to be first in line this evening for the Kenmore. |
Nancy K
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NY USA
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 7587 |
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In reply to nkcdee
Date: 11/16/08 2:15 PM Did you look for a review of it on the sewing machine list? A lot of people have been happy with their Kenmores. ------
www.nancyksews.blogspot.com |
Franksdottir
Intermediate
Member since 4/25/08
Posts: 2407 |
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In reply to nkcdee
Date: 11/16/08 10:24 PM I bought my 19606 in June. I adore it, but then it is much like my Elna 6004 which I bought in the nineties, only better.
It sews beautifully, although, as with my Elna (also made by Janome) the auto-tension is unreliable. It has needle up/down, a start/stop button, a ton of beautiful decorative stitches, a memory so that you can combine stitches, drop-in bobbin (which I vastly prefer), it never jams, and has the nicest rhythmic sound while it stitches.
I didn't bother with the warranty, if it needs work I will just take it to someone local. I do sew garments from time to time, but mostly I quilt with it, and I am extremely satisfied. ------
Barb |
nkcdee
Member since 8/23/08
Posts: 5 |
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Subject: To buy or not to buy (Kenmore 19606) UPDATE Date: 11/17/08 3:20 PM I bought it. So far I love it. I had today off work and have spent the day playing. I've made nothing but have tested most of the decorative stitches. (I swear it's addictive! I have visions of crazy quilt couch throws in my future.) They, the straight stitch and zig zag are beautiful. I have to run some errands and have an outside the house appointment this afternoon but figuring out the button holes are next. My only disappointment has been the monograms (which I knew from reading reviews were not great). But I have hopes with some stabilizer, better thread and perhaps using double thread might improve the quality. I haven't quite got the hang of the auto needle threader yet either. I'm about 50/50 on my first attempt. The needle up/down, auto lock, and the stitch without foot pedal are awesome. My joy wasn't even dimmed by the unexpected $350 bill from the dentist in today's mail. If this machine will do some Amy Butler handbag layers and last a few years I am/will be beyond pleased. Thanks for the enable...er encouragement. |
Mufffet
Intermediate
VT USA
Member since 8/14/05
Posts: 8919 |
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In reply to nkcdee
Date: 11/17/08 3:34 PM Have a great time with this machine! I had the 19233, and if you do use a stabilizer, or just a piece of cotton under your lettering it is a lot nicer! In fact, I liked the lettering. A nice machine, lots of feet available for not much investment, so all in all a great and fun machine. Yours has some features the 19233 didn't have, which is why I sold it and got a more advanced computerized machine, but I did love the 19233, and I would probably have kept it if I had been stopped from spending more...why don't people stop me?!??! No, I am happy with my newer machine, but I always think I must say how much I love Kenmore machines too.
 ------
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
--Dalai Lama
I have sewing machines |
K Gillmore
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UT USA
Member since 8/4/08
Posts: 1 |
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Date: 11/17/08 3:49 PM My mother purchased a Sear's Best top of the line sewing machine like 20 years ago. There was a 25 year warranty on it. A couple of years something major broke on it and it could not be fixed because it was so old, but not out of warranty. They replaced it with the new Elite top of the line a couple of years ago and she loves it! |
Betakin
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AZ USA
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7279 |
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In reply to nkcdee
Date: 11/17/08 4:22 PM You might want to check if your machine has a stitch balance button that you can adjust to make your alphabet nicer looking.
I have a now discontinued Kenmore Elite that does very nice lettering and much nicer than one of my other brand machines. I hav e never had to adjust the Kenmore but have tried many times to adjust the other brand machine that I have but cannot make them as nice as my Kenmore's. I really like the alphabet stitching on my Kenmore even more than some very expensive other brand machines. I especially like the script alphabet.
Have fun with your new machine. |
julieanne
Intermediate
IN USA
Member since 3/14/06
Posts: 33 |
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In reply to nkcdee
Date: 11/18/08 9:59 PM NKCD,
I have the 606 as my main machine, and I can tell you that it will sew wonderfully on anything that you throw at it. I will suggest, when you try sewing through more thicknesses or through handbags, make sure you put in a heavier needle, and adjust the presser foot pressure. It will continue to please you and work well for you. I bought mine on ebay for $300 dollars and couldn't be happier. |
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