Two New (to me) machines in the past few weeks

Well, so far, I've found a new (to me) machine each month in 2014.  I found the lovely 'Betty' back in January.

1941 Singer 66 converted to a hand crank

I sewed on Betty while showing off some of my vintage machines at my guilds quilt show earlier this month.

The end of February, I found a Kenmore machine in a cabinet at another thrift store.  The cabinet had $15.98 written on it (why do they use marker on cabinets?).  I drug it over to an outlet, and plugged it in.   It turned nicely, and the motor sounded good.  I took it to the check out, and, half price day!   It rang up at $7.99.  Woohoo! 

Kenmore Model 1358 (158.13580)

cabinet the Kenmore came in

This machine dates from around the time I graduated high school.  Dates for some of these machines are hard to find, so, I had to find a date on a parts diagram on the Sears parts website (1981).  That's the best I can come up with. 

This machine sews very nicely!  It has 10 different stitches (no cams needed).  Kenmores are really easy to use, even without a manual. 

practice stitches from the Kenmore

This machine only has one problem, and it can't be fixed, unfortunately.  The clutch knobs sometimes 'freeze' and can't be unfrozen, no matter how hard you work at it.  I tried oil, Liquid Wrench, heat, and lots of time, but, I only succeeded in breaking off the clutch knob on the machine.  Back to the Sears parts site.  Oops!  Replacements are no longer made or sold. 

what is left of the clutch knob

where the clutch knob should be, still stuck tight

After a week of messing with this, I gave up.  Bobbins will have to be wound on one of my sidewinders.  I was hoping to send this machine off with one of my new quilters, if they decide to keep on quilting. 

On Friday, I stopped off at another thrift store, on my way to the fabric store (40% off sales, with another 25% off total purchase coupon from Joann's, boy did I have fun)! 

I turned the corner at the thrift store, and saw this.

filthy dirty machine case

priced right, even if only for the case

Of course I opened the case....

cute green machine inside

I snapped that machine up!  Gee, even if the machine didn't work, the case is worth $5.

When I got home, I found out just how dirty that machine was.  How do machines get this dirty when they are in a case?????

dust and dirt

motor runs nicely, belt in nice shape, lots more dirt!

underside of machine, and inside of case

light works, more dirt!

Lots of cleaning done on this machine.  The motor works nicely, and isn't noisy.  It cleaned up well.

don't you just love the matching foot controller

This machine stitches, but, I can't adjust the stitch length for some reason.  The feed dogs move and adjust, but, it just doesn't feed well.  I'll have to play around with it and see what I can do.  Now to find a manual for this model (if there is one).  This is a straight stitch machine.   No zig-zag.  Great for a new stitcher (if I can get it to feed nicely). 

I have been sewing, but, I haven't taken any pictures lately.  I have a busy week coming up (Sewing & Quilting Expo in Shaumburg in the Quilts of Valor booth this weekend).  If you attend, stop by the booth on Thursday or Friday and say HI. 

My ladies in my beginning quilting class are starting to show some progress on their blocks.  Most of these ladies have never used a sewing machine before.  We only meet for 2 hours on Saturdays, so, not much has been accomplished in that time.  Other than material, most of the ladies have been using my supplies at our classes (cutting mats, rotary cutters, rulers, even machines).  Hopefully there will be something to show soon.