Kenmore 1301

Louie and I found this machine a couple months ago. It went downstairs under the steps when I needed to get it out of my kitchen, and yesterday, I brought it back upstairs. This one is HEEEEAAVVY! Cosmetically, it is in very nice shape. It did need a bath though.

I cleaned and oiled it, as standard procedure, but I could not get the blind stitch to work. I heated, and pushed and pulled and searched with a flashlight to see where it could be stuck, to no avail. When Louie got home from work (yes, he worked on Sunday), I had him look, and he discovered the broken part. That’s ok. It straight stitches, and it zigzags. That is all that is needed.  It is strong, and quiet. It was made in Japan in the middle sixties. This machine is also a ‘left needle’ position machine, meaning that it was not designed with quilting in mind (with the 1/4” seam and center position needle). It was designed for garment making, with the 5/8” seam being common.

I could not find a full manual without buying one, so since I did not want to buy one, I went to www.sewusa.com to get threading instructions. They are great in that they offer threading instructions, and bobbin winding instructions for free. Thank you SEWUSA!

It only took a teeny tiny bit of adjustment on the upper tension to make some nice stitches.

I am able to mark another machine DONE and off my list. It feels GOOD!

Again, I am not sure where this machine’s new home will be, but it is ready when the need arises.

Kenmore 1217

A month or so ago, when my friend Cheryl, from Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting blog came to visit, she brought two sewing machines for me to look at, clean up, and find new homes for. I am just now getting around to doing that. The first machine, a Singer 457,  probably isn’t going to make it unless someone wants to spend the money to have a new plastic bobbin drive gear in it. I can’t do that. It is beyond my capabilities. It also requires timing, which I also cannot do.

The second one she brought, a Kenmore 1217 is very very heavy, but a nice, Japanese made machine. It was pretty dirty, with what looked like gravel dust all over it. It’s previous owners must have stored it in a shed or garage with a gravel floor. It didn’t have any stuck parts, but did turn pretty hard, until I oiled it, and then plugged it in and ran it with the foot control. It loosened right up. This machine is a ‘left needle’ position machine, meaning that it was not designed with quilting in mind (with the 1/4” seam and center position needle). It was designed for garment making, with the 5/8” seam being common.

It did not have a case, or a base to sit in, but it sits on the table nicely.

It makes some very nice stitches!

I did have an extra suitcase, so now it can be carried and stored in this case. I’m not exactly sure which direction or organization this machine will go to, but it will be given to where it will be used to help make other’s lives better.

Thank you Cheryl!

Kenmore 1249

Yesterday after I went to the eye dr, and my dilated eyes settled down a bit, I went to Dubuque to run some errands for my sweet hubby. Sew, I WAS in Dubuque after all, and sew I just HAD to go to the Goodwill store! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found this Kenmore 1249. I have been on the lookout for a couple machines for a local church quilting group, and was very pleased to find this one at an unbelievable price.  I found a manual online and printed it.

I wiped it off with a dishcloth, removed the lint and disassembled the bobbin area, and oiled it. I took the top off and oiled it in there too. It didn’t need anything other than that, except a new light bulb. There were no stuck or frozen parts. Someone loved this machine and took good care of it.

All of the stitches worked. The only complaint I had was on the extra bobbins. Each bobbin had four to five colors on them. I used one of them for top thread while I tested the stitches. Can you see at the very top where the red stretch stitch zigzag looks like the tension got too tight and ended? That was where the red thread was tied onto another color, and it started pulling. The thread snapped and that was that. I put on a new color and all was well. I understand times were tough, and people liked to use every inch of thread they had, but I don’t understand how they think (thought) tying threads together on a bobbin is good for a machine. It causes trouble every time. EVERY. TIME. I wound a new bobbin and she was ready to go.

One of the ladies from the quilting group came over this morning to pick up this machine, and a machine that she found, that I looked over. She was a lovely lady, who I enjoyed visiting with, and I found out that she is a cousin to a good friend of mine who lives in Amarillo, Texas. Our visit ended too soon. I hope we get to visit again soon. (Thanks Peggy!)

God works in mysterious ways. I have met so many wonderful people through this blog, and through being able to look for and fix their sewing machines. I feel truly blessed!

Hope you weekend is wonderful!

Park View Quilting Daycation

Two weeks ago today, I was ahead enough at work to take a vacation day and go to Park View to sew with the quilting girls. I sewed this quilt top.

I don’t know what was up with my phone camera that day, but I couldn’t get a clear photo to save my soul!

Here is JoLynn showing the second quilt top she did with her new quilter!

This is my friend Kay, stitching down binding. I twisted around and snapped it quick…hence, poor quality.

Busy little bees….

Connie ironing and Helen stitching down binding. Maybe the sun coming in had something to do with my poor focusing, or maybe I just am a poor photographer!

Pat and Shirley.

Petra cutting, JoLynn stitching down binding, and Connie ironing.

Kay, Shirley and I went out for pie afterwards. It was a nice day!

The girls are quilting again today, and I will be thinking of them, but today, I have to work!  

Whatever you are doing today, have the best day ever!

Mark Trammell Quartet and Good Friends

Last night was another great night. Louie, Jack, and I met our friends Dave and Judy and went to their church, Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison, Illinois to see the Mark Trammell Quartet. It was a fun evening with great music, worship and fellowship.

This is one of their new songs. It’s catchy, a toe-tapper, and has a great message.

 

It’s always great to see good friends, and spend time with my brother Jack, too! (Since I didn’t  take any new pictures this time of D, J, and J, I cropped the one I used last time. Louie was there this time too)

I have all these dates marked on my calendar and I can’t wait to to each and every one of them!

Thank you Dave and Judy for your hospitality and non-expiring invitations for us to join you for music and fellowship. We love you!