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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: It's In The Bag
Date: 02-13-2006, 10:18 PM (1 of 8)
| I am looking into buying the Kenmore 19233 sewing machine. It is on sale for $279.00. I want to know how many layers it can sew thru? I make purses and I need something that is pretty heavy duty. Can it sew denim? |
User: It's In The Bag
Member since: 02-13-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 02-13-2006, 11:57 PM (2 of 8)
|
Take some denim into the store and try it out. The people who sell the things don't sew. It's made by Janome....chances are it can. All my Janome's do. (they sew leather too.) Test drive all machines you're thinking of buying. Thats the ONLY way you can tell if a machine is right for YOU.
Chrys
|
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
|
From: It's In The Bag
Date: 02-14-2006, 08:55 AM (3 of 8)
| I would like to try the machine in the store, but my Sears doesn't let people try them. I guess I'll just have to buy it and return it if it doesn't do what I need it to. |
User: It's In The Bag
Member since: 02-13-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 02-14-2006, 09:56 AM (4 of 8)
|
I have a whole fleet of Kenmores that I use for teaching sewing lessons. Overall, I am very pleased with them. The people at the store are useless as far as helping, but the manuals have been very good. If you have any questions on it after you buy it someone here will be happy to help you figure it out. I find they do great for sewing heavy fabric if, and a big if, you choose the proper needle. If you plan to sew heavy denim then make sure you pick up a package of denim sharp needles in the larger sizes, 100/16 or so before you tackle it. Actually, that is good advice for any fabric. Choose your needle carefully for the fabric and many machine sewing problems are minimized. Lighter fabric=smaller needles, speciality fabric=speciality needles. I use organ or schmetz needles from the fabric store or sewing machine dealer and am not sure about which color coded Kenmore needle is for the job (has to do with convience and lack of support from sears). I find that my kenmores are not fussy about which brand of needles I use. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: It's In The Bag
Date: 02-14-2006, 10:43 AM (5 of 8)
|
Thanks Melanie. I really don't sew much denim. What I do is make placemat purses. The problem I have with my old machine is that it doesn't have the power to sew through the seams when I am puting in the lining. It also doesn't have enough power when I work with suede. Do you think the Kenmore can handle this? _____________________ Michele |
User: It's In The Bag
Member since: 02-13-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 02-14-2006, 03:17 PM (6 of 8)
|
My Kenmore 19010 embroidery machine definately has the power to punch through the heavier fabrics. I haven't actually used the model you are talking about. On the smaller machines I haven't had a problem mending jeans, even at the crotch. The little blue 3/4 size machine will even do it, though is goes verrrry slow (great for my first time sewers). I guess you have three options for getting a machine with the power you want. 1. Buy the sears one you are looking at, take it home and try it on the project you need it to do. If it does, great, if not take it back. 2. Go to thrift stores or garage sales in your area and pick up one of the simple old metal workhorses from the preplastic years. You will have to pay the price of the machine (hopefully a song) and to have it serviced (only buy it if it is still a bargin after a $50 tune up and service). I have a little singer straight stitch (not a featherweight, value about $15) that will punch through your finger if you let it. Something like that should work as well. 3. Look into something like the sailrite apprentince (a portable machine for stitching canvas sails) or something like that. I can't help much for suggestions in that route, but if you old machine is still good for the other fabrics and all you need is a workhorse it might be worth researching. Bill Holman or Tom Land could tell you what to look for if you want to go the used or medium duty light industrial route. Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 02-14-2006, 04:47 PM (7 of 8)
|
Wow, that's a great price - $170 off! When I had gotten my Kenmore the one you are looking at was full price & I definitely couldn't swing that kind of cash. Someday, I'll upgrade - I've got to learn all the stuff the one I have can do & that will take awhile. 
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-15-2006, 01:56 AM (8 of 8)
| One of my machines is the Kenmore 19365 which is a recently discontinued model that Sears sold for quite some time and it does sew through multiple heavy layers very well. I noticed that one of the newer computeized models didn't have a foot pressure control where the other did. I don't know how much difference this would make because I have only adjusted my pressure a few times doing deco work. The 7 piece feed dog system on these newer Janome made Kenmores gives excellent feed of fabric. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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