Little Miss Kenmore has a story of her own. When my children were still very little, there was not much time for sewing quilts or anything else. But when I started quilting, I was sewing on a Singer Stylist machine I had bought when I graduated from High School. The Singer was always a little difficult and gave me so many hours of trouble, that it just wasn't worth my time using it. Whenever the repair man was called, the machine always seemed to have a problem with one of two parts, which the repair man told me were the only plastic parts in the whole machine. So when I started quilting I ached for another machine that would be more user friendly.
As we were leaving church one Sunday morning, my children and I were talking about sewing, and I mentioned that the only way that I could get a new machine is if the Lord would bring it to me. So to my surprise, one of the older ladies from our church called me that week and offered me her sewing machine. She had bought a new one, and as her own daughter did not need one, she wondered if I would like to have it. BOY would I!!! Apparently she had overheard us talking as we were leaving the building on Sunday and knew that I could use her machine.
Little Miss Kenmore has sewn miles and miles for me. She has never needed repair, and has always been ready on the spot whenever I needed her. When my hubby bought the Bernina for me 8 years ago, Little Miss Kenmore went into retirement. I had her serviced and cleaned so she would be nice and clean. I've used her a few times, like this week when I am sewing with flannel, and other times when she was more accessible then the Big Baby Bernina. Little Miss Kenmore has been a faithful and loyal servant for my sewing needs. As a matter of fact, I loved her so much that I bought another Kenmore for my daughter when I found one at the Thrift store for $20. It's always good to have a dependable back up machine.
Do you have more then one sewing machine?? Do you have a story to share??
22 comments:
What a nice memory to share of your sewing machine :)
This story made me smile. My first machine was an inexpensive Kenmore, I was so thrilled to have it. I've pulled it out of retirement a few times and it still works just fine.
Such a nice story..It's nice to have a patient machine that is able to stand by and wait until it is called....Thank you for sharing..
I enjoyed your story....those older machines are awesome!!!
I also enjoyed your story. Sometimes the older models get forgotten as newfangled things come along that will almost sew by themselves (the embroidery machines do), and it is nice to know they still happily perform when we want them to. Thank you for sharing your story! Have a wonderful weekend.
I had a Singer Stylist for years and years.... and oh the challenges it provided when I was doing a serious amount of sewing! One repairman told me it was the plastic parts heating up and warping...
I still have that Singer but haven't used it since my Bernina 1230 came to live with me. It is a dream to sew on even after almost 20 yrs.
Love your story, they don't build machines like that anymore. I have an old 830 Bernina and a newer Bernina. Other than a few new features, I prefer my 830.
Well, God certainly does provide.
I have one sewing machine and that is all I really need and want.
I bought a Kenmore in 1982 from a Railroad Salvage place. I sewed a few clothing items and some craft items, but it was certainly not overworked. When I decided to start quilting I wanted a newer, fancier machine, and I had the opportunity to trade in my Kenmore. I got more for the trade than I had paid for it nearly 30 years before. It seemed like the right thing to do, but I now regret not keeping it. I hope it went to a loving home and wasn't just thrown out.
I have my mothers old singer that was bought when my parents were first married. For a 50 yr old machine, it works great but was retired when my husband bought me a bernina 28 yr ago. The Bernina is one of the first computerized machines and I have have quietly told by the dealers nver to get rid of it or trade it in. Both machines are work horses, they have their little quirks but getting rid ot them will never happen!
I also have 3 other machines, one in a small square cabinet. I don't know how old but this house was built in the 1940'S and the landlord did not want it. Finally, a treadle that may work if I can find a leather strap that turns the wheel. For $20. another in not so good condition was thrown in.
That's a beautiful story of how God provides! :)
Love the story - funny how God decides to bless when we least expect it.
I only have one machine and though I talk a big talk and say how I'd like to upgrade, I'm not sure I could part with my little Viking C-10. It's a great little machine and does all that I need. :)
I had two -- my very first sewing machine was a Kenmore, and then a couple of years ago I purchased a Janome. My darling daughter decided she wanted to learn to sew, so we sent the Kenmore off to be cleaned and serviced and now it's hers. It's a great little machine. :)
Uhm, well.... I have a vintage Singer 301, a Singer 301a, a Singer 401a, my Viking Emerald 118, and I just purchased a vintage Viking 21E. My very first sewing machine, the one on which I taught myself to sew, was a Kenmore 385. My FIL gave it to me after my MIL passed away. It had been a Christmas present to her and had never been out of the box. I loved that machine and still had it up until about two months ago. I read a blogger's story about her sewing machine breaking and not having the money to buy another one, so I sent it to her. I hope she is enjoying it as much as I did!
XOXO,
Cyndi
Great story! I had a singer for a number of years and it just died after a while. So I traded it in on an Elna. Now, my Elna sits - desperate for a servicing. I think I just need to break down and spend the well over $100 to have it thoroughly serviced because I really need to get some things sewn up. My pile of - one of these days I'll get to it - is literally - piling up!
Joy!
Kathy
On our 15th anniv., we happened upon a group yard sale, There waiting for me was a little featherweight, in the case, ready to go. It went home for us, I have used it many times, such perfect stitches..gave my first Bernina to my daughter, got a 1230 and it has been a workhorse, love it. Then, I bought a Viking Designer I. Love it also. Love the embroidery unit, it has been a treasure,.my friend recently saw a Bernette At Goodwill for nine dollars, she got it for me. The machine dealer I use said he could easily get 300 for it. So, you see, I have a little sewing machine problem, I love collecting them, they are like children, each different, and each loved....
That's a lovely story, and it has just reminded me that I have 4 machines, not 3. I have Big Bertha, which is on the LA setup, then I have Big Brother, which is a larger throated, straight stitch machine which I use for piecing and I have Baby Brother which is small and good for taking to workshops and it also does a few embroidery stitches. The machine I had forgotten about is an all-singing, all-dancing Singer which used to belong to my grandmother. I haven't used it for a long time, as the tension keeps going doolally on it.
I try not to count how many machines I have. I do have my old Kenmore in the basement. It was my mothers. She never liked to sew, and, when she gave it to me, she 'retired' from even threading a needle to sew on buttons. She is happy, and sew am I. I have a collection of vintage machines. They are fun to use. I'd love a Featherweight, but, they cost too much. Oh well.
Enjoyed all the stories...
Another testimony of yes, God does supply our 'needs'! :)
Thanks you for sharing :)
Blessings~
Lori
The first machine that I purchased was a Kenmore. I gave it to my MIL when I bought my Bernina about 15 years ago. I have 3 machines. Two travel to sewing sessions with me, but Bernie usually stays home. Thanks for a wonderful story!
Started with a small Singer that I purchased on layaway for $10/week, seemed to take forever before it came home. Now have purchased 6 Pfaffs (2 for me and rest for my kids and niece)as well as 2 older singers w/cabinets and one treadle singer, oh can't forget the 2 "Little Kitty" basic machines I purchased for my grandkids (before they were even conceived) just in case...that's not counting the other 4 machines I've purchased and donated to groups...
Great story! I also bought a Kenmore for $300+ when I was a very young teenage bride but I kept her til I was an old woman! (married 35 years this year)I loved sewing on her so much that I couldn't even dream of another machine.....until the day my daughter drug me to the sewing machine store with her 12 years ago and I came home with a new Bernina (never been in love with him). I have now had way too many machines under my belt to even count including several great Kenmores.
I have sold many and traded around in search of that perfect machine to no avail but I have another new machine, a Juki F600 that is to be delivered on Fri! I sure hope I can fall in love with her as I did my first Kenmore! My first Kenmore has recently been trashed from years and years of wear and tear but she pulled her time and is in that great sewing machine heaven up high in the sky! May she RIP!! I can't say that will be the same destination for the Bernina!
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