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From: Tom Land
Date: 02-20-2007, 10:54 PM (1 of 30)
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I was just informed by the President of a large sewing machine company that Sears has decided to quit selling sewing machines. We had already learned that the Kenmore brand was to be discontinued in favor of selling the other brands but it now seems they will not even be doing that. Even though the source was a very good one I still consider this a rumor at this point. I will try to get confirmation from some other people tomarrow.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: lendube
Date: 02-21-2007, 11:39 AM (2 of 30)
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I find that interesting. Sears is the "everyman" store. It seems to imply that the "core" of the country isn't interested in sewing anymore, if you know what I mean. I think it's sad and unexpected. I thought sewing was making a good comeback. Thanks for letting us know. Lennie 
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-21-2007, 03:19 PM (3 of 30)
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I have watched Sears shove the sewing machines farther and farther back into a corner for the last several years at their stores here in the Oklahoma City area, so I'm not surprised they've decided to discontinue them all together. The fact that most of the Sears stores have never had sales personnel who were knowledgeable about the sewing machines or never had an area where anyone could sit down and sew on a sewing machine they were interested in has been a big factor with a lot of people. Hancock Fabrics has finally gotten smart and provided an area where their display machines can be set up so someone can try them out at their store on 15th Street in Midwest City, but I don't know about the other Hancock stores in this area or Joann's. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-21-2007, 05:19 PM (4 of 30)
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I saw that Sears no longer sells sergers either. I would like to find out if Sears will still do sewing machine service and repairs. I am sure they will honor their servcie contracts but if one does not have a contract it would be nice to know that they will still do service on a machine recently purchased in their store. I wondered about Janome no longer making Kenmore machines since Janome now heading Elna. Plus Kmart now owns Sears and I expected change. I have no Janome dealer locally and Hancocks does sell some of their models. I have heard that Hancock's is closing 30 stores including all of the ones in a bigger city near me but supposedly the 3 stores in my town will remain open for now. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-21-2007, 11:14 PM (5 of 30)
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I was told by the ladies that work in my local Hancock's that they are only closing their stores that are not profitable the same way Joann's did. Wal-Mart is doing the same thing. They are doing away with the fabric departments in the stores that were not profitable, according to the fabric department manager of the new Super Wal-Mar that is closest to me. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-22-2007, 12:49 AM (6 of 30)
| I don't know that much about the closings of the stores but the posts that I have seen say that all of the stores which are at least 6 in the capital city of my state will be closed and it is a much bigger city and I am sure those stores do a better business than the ones in my city so I was surprised to see posts that the stores here will remain open. Seveal stores between cities will also close. There are several Joann's very close to the Hancock's near me and the Joann's do much more business, especially a Joann's super store only a few blocks away from the closest Hancock's. I do hope they stay open. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-23-2007, 07:16 PM (7 of 30)
| Tom, is there any confirmation on this rumor yet? |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 02-23-2007, 11:02 PM (8 of 30)
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This would not surprise me. Most of us that are buying sewing machines these days are buying them for hobby use and we like those top notch machines, not the workhorses that Sears has been known for selling all these years. Service is so bad at Sears that if I were going to drop a huge amount of cash on a new machine, I'd go back to the sewing machine dealer where I got my other machines. I noticed that Target has started carrying the workhorse, inexpensive sewing machines. That must have been a death knell for Sears. I have bought a few things at Sears during the past year and like their selection on some things, but they're not doing too good of a job of letting people know what they've got--besides tools. I don't know if they can make it. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-24-2007, 12:39 AM (9 of 30)
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Well, since the KMart and Sears merger I have seen Sears Kenmore things at my local SuperK in some of the depts. We know that Janome is now heading Elna and they no longer make some of the machines for other companies as they have in the past like the HuskyStar for Viking. Huskystars are now made in China by whoever Singer, Pfaff and Viking uses, since these companies are all under the same blanket now under Singer's holding company. I want to know if that means Janome will discontinue making the Viking Mega Quilter and Pfaff Grand Quilter too. I would like to own a Pfaff GQ. I have a couple of sergers and a stand alone embroidery machine and 3 sewing machines: a mechanical Pfaff, a computerized Viking and a computerized Kenmore. I am glad I purchased them when I did and I love and use them all for different reasons and I don't care for the newer models as much even though mine are only a few years old. I will miss the Janome made Kenmores. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-24-2007, 09:57 AM (10 of 30)
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Klynne, I have not yet gotten confirmation from my most reliable source. He has been out of the office all week but I should hear from him this coming week. I am wondering if Janome will improve the quality of the Elnas now that they're distributing them. I, like many dealers droped them when they kept having so many more problems even though they were supposed to be the same machine as the Janome with some cosmetic changes. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-24-2007, 10:14 AM (11 of 30)
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"Huskystars are now made in China by whoever Singer, Pfaff and Viking uses, since these companies are all under the same blanket now under Singer's holding company." Companies change manufacturers all the time. It just depends on who will give them what they want at the best price at that time. Pfaff just recently started having a couple more machines made by Janome but in a year or so they will probably switch back to someone else. As of now Pfaff, Viking and White machines have no connection to the Singer machines. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-24-2007, 11:38 AM (12 of 30)
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Tom, since Singer's holding company purchased Pfaff/Viking I was told by a dealer that the heads of each brand sit around the same table to discuss business but each brand still has it's own and different specs. that the head of each company is there to maintain. I also have wondered if Janome is going to come out with something new or big for Elna. I will be watching for any news in regards to this. I see there are some new model Elna sergers that have a Janome look to them and am wondering if the Coverhem models are still made in Japan with their new model 745. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: ohiodeb
Date: 02-24-2007, 11:43 AM (13 of 30)
| I've talked to several people at WalMart about the fabric department going away and they said that when existing stores come up for remodeling they will take out the fabric. As for the new stores they're not putting it in. Our store is up for remodel in 2010 and so I have a few years of cheap fabric to stash. The JoAnns superstore is in the same block of stores and does a wonderful business. The Viking dealer is in that store and that's who I do business with for my machines. They have the scissor sharpening event once a month and I do get a lot of fabric on the off season. We have no Hancocks here. We do have a Hobby Lobby and once in awhile they have a good sale and always have coupons. I thought sewing was making a comeback also and don't understand the closing of fabric stores. |
User: ohiodeb
Member since: 01-07-2007 Total posts: 9 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-24-2007, 07:26 PM (14 of 30)
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A few months ago I saw an ad for Craftsman tools which could be purchased at K-Mart...as far as I'm concerned that has been the only thing keeping Sears alive for decades. WHen K-Mart starts handling them, K-Mart will probably revive and Sears will die...at least that is my opinion.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 02-26-2007, 01:35 PM (15 of 30)
| I for one will not be sad to see Sears closing out the Sewing Machine Dept.!!! I bought my last sewing machine there, right after they started carrying the Janome made machines, and I HATE IT!!!! I have had more problems with it than what it is worth. I am so ready to pitch it in the trash. I have gone back to using my Sears (made by White) that is 32 yrs old until I can afford to by a new machine. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-26-2007, 03:15 PM (16 of 30)
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That's too bad Sewhappie. May I ask wha model Kenmore you purchased and what problems are you having with it? One of my machines is a now discontionued computerized Kenmore 19365 that has been replaced by newer models. The first 19365 that was ordered for me because none were in stock had a problem right out of the box. The tension was defective. I immediately returned it and ordered another. This was several years ago and I love my machine and have never had a moments trouble with it. It has auto tensions and the stitches are lovely on every fabric I have used. I rarely need to adjust foot pressure with it. I am really glad I ordered the second machine. I love the 7 piece feed and it has features that my Pfaff and Viking do not have and it has many of the features of the Janome top of the line models but cost much less. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: wghmch
Date: 02-26-2007, 04:58 PM (17 of 30)
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"I have gone back to using my Sears (made by White) that is 32 yrs old" Since White hasn't made a machine since the late 1950s, it sounds like someone was pulling your leg about who made it, or you've had it longer than you remember. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-26-2007, 05:03 PM (18 of 30)
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The machine she is talking about is that wonderful machine they made in the 70's (before they changed their contracts). They were wonderful. I had one that Sears broke in 1992 while cleaning it. They wouldn't repair or replace it (obviously I didn't want a NEW machine, I wanted mine or the equilivent of mine)...but they wouldn't even speak to me about it. That and the fact that at the same time I had a washing machine and matching dryer which both pieces were lemons and it took them 2 years to repair them (needed to have a little plug in snapped in place)...just pretty much burned me on SEARS. The Sears repair shop that I was dealing with was the main sdervice center in our area in OKC..not some small town store.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-26-2007, 06:51 PM (19 of 30)
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Pam, that sounds like mine that I bought in the early 70's from Sears that had 5 different zigzag type stitches and 5 stretch stitches.. It still works as well as the day I purchased it, and it lives at my son's house, but nobody uses it now.. they have it closed and use it as an end table in gd's bedroom.. It is a cabinet model machine.. Only complaint I ever had was the fact that if I didn't hold the threads to start stitching the seam, it would make a small birdnest tangle at the beginning of each seam...Got many hundreds of miles from that old workhorse... I still wear some of the early Tees I made with those stretch stitches.. (20 years old) some of them... Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: wghmch
Date: 02-26-2007, 07:08 PM (20 of 30)
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Yes, but none of these were Whites. Sears caused White to go bankrupt as a mfgr in the late 1950s, when they switched to Japanese suppliers. White never made a ZZ machine, and Sears wanted/needed them to keep up with competitors like MW, who was getting their machines from Happy in Japan. White tried to salvage the situation by importing a couple of machines from Germany and supplying them to Sears, but lost out anyway. You can tell who made a Sears machine by the digits before the dot in the model number. The ones that I remember off hand are: 117=White (Also 2 models from Gritzner-Kayser in Germany that White imported for Sears.) 120=New Process Gear Corporation. (A division of Chrysler when these were made in the 1950s.) 148=Soryu in Japan 158=Maruzen in Japan (later Jaguar) 385=Janome After a few years, White re-entered the industry, but just as a distributor of machines that they imported from other mfgrs, but they had no further dealings with Sears after that time. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-26-2007, 07:26 PM (21 of 30)
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I believe mine was a 158. It had a burled front and cams that fit in the top. It was one of the finest machines I have ever used. I loved that machine. It broke where the take up lever turns to go outside the machine. I looked everywhere for a machine part to replace it but it was a pretty intrigal part of the machine. I found a person who could spot weld it for me but the machine wouldn't hold tension after that. I was just sick. At the same time, Sears management was so broken up that you couldn't get above a district office for help...it was just hopeless! I still have 4 boxes of attachments for the machine. I keep thinking that I'll find one at a local thrift store or something but I never seem to have the time to search for one. At the time mine broke you couldn't find one anywhere, used or otherwise. I think that most people knew a gem when they had it! Now they sell them on E-Bay and call them Commercial machines (those guys should be shot for those claims) and then sell them stipped down for more than I wish to pay.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: vickki
Date: 02-26-2007, 10:16 PM (22 of 30)
| I have 4 machines and just purchased 2 for each of my daughters,all from sears.....Sears Canada must be different from Sears USA....I have never had a problem with sears service,and when I had to take my embroiderymachine in for service they gave me a loaner until mine was fixed......I wouldn't buy any appliance anywhere except Sears..... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: catquilter
Date: 02-27-2007, 03:33 PM (23 of 30)
| I have a Kenmore sewing machine. I hope I can still get parts for it, Mary |
User: catquilter
Member since: 02-27-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-28-2007, 12:29 AM (24 of 30)
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I was thinking this evening that my youngest sister has my mom's Kenmore that we bought her in the early 1970s. She is always wanting to get rid of it but I'm going to tell her to hold on to it and I'll see if I can trade her one of my many machines for it. And, ladies, if you have a rather vintage Kenmore that is still in good working condition, maybe you should hold on to it as some of them may become like the Featherweights and escalate in value as they become older. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: wghmch
Date: 02-28-2007, 12:38 AM (25 of 30)
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"..if you have a rather vintage Kenmore that is still in good working condition, maybe you should hold on to it as some of them may become like the Featherweights and escalate in value as they become older." Please don't hold your breath! Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: lamx
Date: 02-28-2007, 08:06 AM (26 of 30)
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The Singer Featherweight is one of the biggest scams in sewing circles today. It is a 70-year-old machine that has a miniscule throat, can do nothing but straight stitch and locks up if even a tiny piece of thread gets jammed in the hook. There is nothing about a Featherweight that should make it any more valuable than any other vintage sewing machine, but several things all came together to fuel the FW craze and artificially drive up the price: - A lady wrote a book about "The Perfect Portable" vastly understating the numbers produced, giving potential buyers the false impression that Featherweights are scarce. A quick search on ebay will dispel that idea. - The name Featherweight implies that the machine is light weight and would be ideal to take on the road, or to classes. True, the head alone weighs only 11 lbs, but by the time you add the foot control, the accessories, and the vinyl-covered wooden box to carry it all, it tips the scale at 20 lbs - much more than many more modern machines with greater capability. - The current quilting fad and the internet combined to whip the Featherweight craze into a frenzy. Once a couple of quilters talked up their Featherweights on quilting forums, all the other quilters had to have one, too, and prices skyrocketed. Kenmores have none of this going for them. The Kenmore 1030/1040/1050 machines are the only ones that show any promise, they are 3/4 size portables in a cute flowered plastic case. They have more throat space than a featherweight and can zig zag as well. They are currently selling on ebay for about 1/4 the price of Featherweights. The value of Kenmores is not in their possible appreciation, but in their quality, reliability, and low price. If you are going to hoard Kenmores, let it be so that you can have a reliable machine to sew on for years to come, not as a retirement nest egg. Ed |
User: lamx
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-02-2007, 12:10 PM (27 of 30)
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I have loved and appreciated my Featherweight for 50 years.. This is not a new fad or craze for me.. You are entitled to your opinion, but I know dependability when I have it.. I have a Janome that does 100 various stitches anytime I want variety.. When I need a workhorse for good old garment construction or quilt piecing I have my trusted Featherweight..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: plrlegal
Date: 03-02-2007, 03:09 PM (28 of 30)
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I'm with you Libby. I love my newly purchased Featherweight. If they are a no good machine, there sure are a lot of people out there that own them. I had one years ago in the early 60s, somehow lost it and never forgot about it so my dh just bid for and purchased me one on e-bay that is in perfect condition. I bought my Featherweight to use and for sentimental reasons, not for any resale profit. I also have my deceased Mother in laws Singer treadle in the original cabinet that is in pristine condition that has sentimental value and will never be for sale as long as I have it in my possession. I don't think Featherweights have been purchased by the majority of quilters with the idea in mind of making "a killing" on them down the line somewhere. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-05-2007, 09:18 PM (29 of 30)
Both of my sons and all 3 of the grands know what "Old Faithful" means... That is the name for my Singer Featherweight.. and it describes it to a T....
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2007, 09:21 PM (30 of 30)
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FYI: I happened to notice that Keepsake Quilts has a plexiglass quilting extension table to go around the Featherweights.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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