"No out of the box machine this year, but something, at least to me, much better. I received my great-grandmother's final sewing machine, a diminutive Kenmore Model 71. This machine was bought by my grandmother as a birthday present for her mother. The machine weighs 17 1/2 pounds and was easier from my great-grandmother to use. The machine was, I suppose, intended to compete with the Singer 301. This machine was a source of endless fascination for me as a child. It's the reason I started sewing, in fact. I'm still amazed that it's now living in my house. I'm from a big family of stitchers and this is something of the Holy Grail. How lucky for me that a great-aunt deemed me worthy of, as she explained it, the knowing and sewing of this machine. The original receipt is in the carrying case. I was amazed to see this machine sold for $134.95 in 1956. Adjusted for inflation, that's getting into the Bernina range. I have the button hole attachment, the "Automatic Decorator", both additional purchases; and the complete box of Griest attachments included with the purchase of the machine. Everything works, the full rotary movement is quite and smooth, and while I do wish for an 830, it could never warm my heart like this 53 year old Kenmore"
I'm sorry there's no photo and I would love to know more about his (yes, his) great-grandmother. What kind of clothes did she make? Where is she from? Did she love to sew or do it because she had to? Did she teach her children? Or did they hate/love it like she did? Ahh, inquiring minds....
Edited to add this photo 
by SewClassic that James confirms is the same as his. It's really pretty!
by SewClassic that James confirms is the same as his. It's really pretty!Edited to update my photo comment per a comment from Sew-Classic. This is NOT James' "new" machine. It is another that his GM had and that Jenny had a photo for. So, for all of you drooling over THIS machine and pea-green with envy for James, just calm down and move along. But I'm leaving the photo, 'cause it IS still pretty, if not that great a machine. So we're still waiting for James to come thru with a REAL photo. And thanks, Jenny for the correction.
Want a picture. K
ReplyDeleteJust a little clarification.
ReplyDeleteThe machine in that photo is NOT the 17 1/2 lb Kenmore model 71. It is a Lady Kenmore model 89 (516.891) which James' grandmother also owned. This model was made by Gritzner Kaiser in W. Germany and weighs about 33 to 35 pounds.
The model 71 (120.71_) was made by New Process Gear Corporation, a division of Chrylser. They have plastic bearings the swell in humid weather. The machine cannot be adjusted properly to compensate for this. Good conversation piece but not dependable.
I'm sending you a pic. My great-grandmother sewed everything under the sun. She made all her clothes as well as draperies, bedding, amazing quilts, purses, hats; name it and she'd likely made it. She sewed out of necessity in her early years. Later she kept at it because she loved it. She lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.
ReplyDeleteLink to a few pics...
ReplyDeletehttp://picasaweb.google.com/Jamesosews/Kenmore71?feat=directlink