* Zig * Zag *
I am on pins and needles.
Right before our weekend trip to Florida, I dropped off my sweet Bernina (aka “Nina”) sewing machine for its yearly tune up. I’ve had my Nina for just about 1 year – so this is the first time we’ve been separated. When I bought her she was such a big investment to me, I was a little sheepish about buying such a nice machine for myself. But in the year that I’ve had her I’ve used her so much – it is a rare day that I don’t use her for something.
This is the machine that I had before Nina. It is a Sears Kenmore and, although the photo doesn’t do it justice, it is a lovely shade of olive green.
This machine is very special because it was given to me by my mom-in-law, Melissa. And I am almost positive that she made alot of Josh’s clothes with it when he was a small boy.
It is a good machine but when I started playing around with purse and bib designs about a year ago – I needed something that could handle sewing thicker layers of fabric. The Kenmore doesn’t really like to sew too many layers. It either wouldn’t sew them at all, or it would go super fast and I had no control over where it was going.
And if I accidentally dropped the bobbin when I took it out or put it in – it would roll into the inside of the base. There were times when I’d have to pick up the entire machine and tilt it to get the bobbin out! When I first saw all the features of the Bernina I was overwhelmed. But when I saw that the bobbin just pops in/out and wouldn’t ever fall to where I couldn’t reach it – I almost wept for joy!!!
I’ve put a call in to the Bernina shop to see if Nina is ready yet – I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll get her back soon. But until then I’ve got the Kenmore. Dusty, tricky to use and finicky….
But loved by two generations. Thank you, Melissa : )
Jenn
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I have a Sears Kenmore too! Except mine is not as old, as it has some digital/electronic thingy to it. It is horrible at sewing through a lot of layers. My mom got it for me a couple of years ago at a garage sale for $20. Maybe someday I’ll get a nice new one!
March 24th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
How funny this post is Jenn–I had a Kenmore too, and then my hubby went and bought me a really nice Elna for Mother’s Day last year! I was so surprised, but also felt funny about him spending so much on a machine! He told me that he knew I would never pay that much for myself, and that the machine would pay for itself in the things that I could make with it. Yeah!! I had my Kenmore for many years (like about 20!) and was just stunned at what a difference it is sewing on the Elna–wow!
p.s. Your little quilt turned out adorable!
Smiles, Karen
March 27th, 2007 at 10:32 am
awww, I used to sew on my mom’s old Singer before I got my first. It was an $89 Brother from Costco. It worked well for a long time before my dear Grandpa helped me get my first PFAFF. That was like moving from a cardboard box into a mansion. I had no idea what I’d been missing. Now I’m on my second PFAFF, with embroidery. It’s not actually treating me well, I’ll have to take it in for a tune up once I’ve settled in the Bay Area. I hope it helps.
March 30th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I have that exact Kenmore!!
It was one of the first major purchases I made with my own money almost 30 years ago!
I still love it! And use it every week!
Enjoying your blog!
July 13th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I grew up sewing on the Kenmore my dad bought my mom the Christmas she was pregnant with me in 1976. I recently acquired a very similar machine, but I am having trouble remembering which buttons do what, so I would like to find a manual, but I need to identify what model I have. My machine is *exactly* like the one in your picture, except it does not have the silver knob on the top right in front of the spindles. Do you have any idea what I have? I really appreciate any help you can give me.