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Member since 2/2/08
Posts: 237
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Posted on: 9/11/10 9:58 PM ET
Passing an estate sale this morning I stopped and found the above machine Model 385.1778180. Having read many reviews and threads about Kenmore I gave it a quick check and found an unused machine although a black and a white bobbin had been wound. There is absolutely no "dust" in the bobbin case and it hasn't been attached to it's plastic case. All the accessories are still intact in it's little zip lock bag. How old is this machine? Was it a problem machine? I see only 3 or 4 models starting with 17 reviewed and none have this number. I felt like I scored as it was $22. I don't need it and just couldn't pass it up. It will probably be a give away if I find a receptive home for it among friends. I also belong to a group that supplies excess machines to students at
RISD.
  
Member since 8/1/08
Posts: 1821
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Posted on: 9/11/10 10:10 PM ET
In reply to Nurse Jane
The 385 are from the 80s. Made in Taiwan I believe adn for me not as take home worthy as the 158 series that were Japanese and German made. My SIL still has hers and swears by it
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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. ~ Franklin D Roosevelt 1843
Janome 19606 ,Janome My Excel 4023, Brother 1034D, White 1750C, Kenmore 158.1803, White 764, Brother 780D.
  
Member since 2/2/08
Posts: 237
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Posted on: 9/11/10 10:30 PM ET
Does this mean it was not produced by Janome? The instruction book was printed in Taiwan. Thanks for your response.
  
Member since 3/13/05
Posts: 687
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Posted on: 9/12/10 0:22 AM ET
I think it's made by Janome. Janome has own factory in Taiwan.
  
Member since 4/28/08
Posts: 1038
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Posted on: 9/12/10 0:53 AM ET
In reply to Nurse Jane
My Kenmore's are the 385 and I love them. I'm not sure about this model but it is probably a good machine. The 385 are made by Janome or that is what I have read in other threads. I prefer the 385.
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sewing grammy
  
Member since 3/6/09
Posts: 1345
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Posted on: 9/12/10 4:53 PM ET
My 385.17724 was from the mid 90s. Since it's a close number, maybe it's from the same era?? Awesome machine! Better than current Kenmores, IMO. If it's similar to that, don't pass it up!
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Janome Skyline S5
Brother PQ1500S
Singer 201-2
Pfaff 138-6
Janome Coverpro 1000
Juki MO-655DE
US Blindstitch 718-9
Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ
Bernette B70 Deco
  
Member since 2/12/09
Posts: 471
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Posted on: 9/12/10 7:00 PM ET
In reply to Nurse Jane
You definitely scored! Congratulations! This machine should be user friendly, capable of multiple sewing tasks, and easy to clean and oil for yourself. It should last many more years, if taken care of. I couldn't find that particular model, but the similar ones I have found were selling for 180.00 to 250.00 in their time.
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Member since 5/19/06
Posts: 1771
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Posted on: 9/12/10 8:43 PM ET
The 385 series Kenmore were/are produced by New Home/Janome.
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Fictionfan
  
Member since 8/1/08
Posts: 1821
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Posted on: 9/12/10 8:54 PM ET
In reply to Fictionfan
Quote: Fictionfan
The 385 series Kenmore were/are produced by New Home/Janome.

Agree this was a Janome made. Still $50 would be the max I would pay for a 385.
------
It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. ~ Franklin D Roosevelt 1843
Janome 19606 ,Janome My Excel 4023, Brother 1034D, White 1750C, Kenmore 158.1803, White 764, Brother 780D.
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 9/12/10 10:04 PM ET
In reply to Nurse Jane
Yes, the 385 before the model number is Janome's manufacturing number for Kenmore. Kenmore machines were made by different companies in the past and the first 3 numbers on the model tells who the manufacturer is.
My memory is not good and anyone please correct me and my spelling..if I am mistaken but I think that prefix numbers 158 means Maruzen made the machine and not sure if they later turned into Jaquar or Toyota, the numbers 117 were made by White..or Gritzner-Kayser which I might be spelling wrong..and I think the numbers 148 were made by Soryu, I think some were even made by Chrysler.

ETA: Kenmore does have a little histry on line about their sewing machines and I think it states that some of the Kenmore really old classics were made by National, Standard and Free and I think some modeled after Singers. I don't remember if Singer did make any of the Kenmore models or not as I remember they were just cloned.

-- Edited on 9/12/10 10:13 PM --
  
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