Kenmore 6 Stitch

This is a machine that I acquired via an online auction. It arrived in remarkably good condition for a machine sold in the late 1970s. It came in a case, too, also in good condition. I would guess that it only saw occasional use.

This is a 158-series free-arm machine with a removable bed and mostly metal construction. It’s very similar to my Kenmore 8s and in the same model range. (The 6 Stitch is a 158.13400.) It’s a machine I initially acquired because both my Kenmore 8s had seized up. I thought they were goners. I wanted the familiar machine back in my sewing life. I learned free-motion quilting on the Kenmore 8, and I have all the stuff—an extension table, walking foot, and free-motion foot. I haven’t been able to replicate the free motion magic with my newer machines, so I decided to go back to move forward. The Kenmore 6 Stitch seemed to be a very close match to the machine I know and love, and it is quite similar.

A few things I noted about this 6 Stitch: everything was over-tightened. It took forever to coax the needle plate off the machine. (The clutch wheel looked like it had been tightened with vise grips, leaving behind telltale teeth marks on an otherwise unmarred machine.) Hand tightening is enough! Over-tightening is a common issue in sewing machines and can damage parts. The clutch wheel stop seems to be a commonly available part, so I’m looking for a replacement for the chewed-up one.

It’s missing a spool pin (also a common problem—so common that I have extras), and it smelled a little like an old car when I removed it from its case. I gave it a good cleaning and will use one of the specialty cleaners for removing that old sewing machine smell if I need to. (Yes, that’s a thing!)

Unfortunately, it didn’t include a manual or any accessories beyond the one foot on the machine. It’s surprising how many vintage machines include accessories. I have a circa 1925 Singer that came with all but one of the original accessories, plus the original manual, tucked in a baggie inside the case.

I was able to track down the Kenmore 6 manual online. Since I have become the queen of Kenmore 158 accessories, I can put together a decent accessory box. I enjoy matching up random parts to the machine manual’s parts list and making it whole again.

Now that my Kenmore 8s are back up and running, I can look for a new home for this sweet machine. It’s easy to thread, the tension is so simple to set, and the stitch is beautiful IMO. It will be a great machine for someone who sews a little bit of everything.