Sears Kenmore 90 Model 158.903

Cast your eyes on this swanky 1960s Sears Kenmore Model 90 in a vanilla-cream color with the silver trim, super stylish, and in the original cabinet.

I've had a few cabinets like this in the past, but never in this condition. Minimal scratches, no water damage, the drawers and inserts are all here, and the top leaves are nice inside and out. And the original chair is also in good shape, with the seat that lifts for storage underneath.

This particular Kenmore model was manufactured in Japan and is widely known as one of the weightiest vintage sewing machines made. It's got a heavy-duty reputation, and has been called a "beast" and a "tank" of a vintage sewing machine. And it doesn't disappoint, this machine sews very nicely.

In the cabinet drawers were all kinds of goodies, like this original buttonhole attachment in a sturdy plastic case, which matches the cream/silver colors on the machine.

Also included is a FULL SET of decorative stitch cams in the sturdy plastic box matching the cream/silver colors. The cams fit in a little door top-side on the machine, and there are actually settings on the machine to manipulate each stitch. In theory, this can multiply the variations of stitches available. 

Check out this quick snippet showing one of the cams in action! It took a minute to figure out the machine settings for the cams, but they're actually printed on the lid of the cam box. Following these setting tips gave me stitches that looked purt'-near the illustration on the cam. Working the needle position, stitch width, and stitch adjustment dial helped to fine-tune the stitches.

I've never seen one of these types of accessory boxes before, have you? Everything is color-coded and labeled inside the box.

For each color-coded and numbered accessory, there is a corresponding card that gives you a snapshot of what it is and what it does. The cards all fit neatly in the top of the box - kind of like a quick-start-guide to sewing with accessories. Brilliant idea! And BONUS because all the accessories are present and accounted for.

My favorite thing about this machine is the cool, obvious 60s style, from the machine down to all the included accessories and cases. It also runs and stitches much better than expected. I've had some Kenmore machines in the past, one from the 50s with a rubber wheel drive that always felt a bit clunky, and one from the 70s that didn't really stitch with any confidence. But this baby PURRRRRS and stitches like she means it! Even with the cams.

When searching the drawers in the cabinet, we ran across a new motor box holding the old motor, and receipts from work done on the machine about 30 years ago. It looks like she got a new motor, completely cleaned and oiled, and then never saw any action after that - which would explain why she runs so smoothly today.

This baby has been living in Tom's workshop since we got her a few months ago. I wanted to make sure she actually worked, and the workshop is the perfect space for a tune-up, clean, and polish. Now that I know she works AND is a total gem, I can take my time about deciding if I'll keep her. Right now, I don't know where she would fit - but I'll give myself another month or so to see if there's a clever spot for her in the house. Because she's GORGEOUS. But, if I can't find a spot for her here, I know there's someone out there who will give her the forever home she deserves.